Advertisement

How to look slimmer, today

Of course, women shouldn't be wishing themselves away. But sometimes, you want your clothes to look more streamlined, or some advice on how to make the best of your great bits (every size has some). So here are some quick tips to make your clothes fit better, and your posture prouder. No calorie counting required.

[Relevant: See Jennifer Hudson's dramatic weight loss transformation]

Jewellery
A bit of bling is the slimmer's secret weapon. Think optical illusion here. A dramatic pendant elongates the neck by drawing the eye up and down, whereas a choker will only widen a broad neck and shoulders. Likewise, long drop earrings slim the face better than hoops. Plus, glitz can look ghoulish on skinny minnies, so if your décolletage is more bountiful than bony you should go ahead and adorn it.

Eva Longoria's emerald arrows are a cunning face slimmer.

Underwear
Sure, you can vacuum pack yourself into giant support pants, though control tights usually do an equally good job of streamlining. Far more important, is the bra. Not only will the right bra make your bosom appear higher, lifting the bust also whittles down your waist. Better still, it'll make you stand taller — and nothing is as slimming as good posture. So go get fitted asap at Rigby & Peller.

Christina Hendricks makes the most of her bounteous bust

Colour & texture

So many of us miss a trick on colour, thinking the only slimming option is head to toe black. It's common sense though. Accentuate bits you like with light colours and shiny or fluffy textures, and downplay the bits you don't with dark colours and matte textures. That might mean a silky blouse on top and indigo jeans, or mismatching your bikini to get people looking at the part you like best. Whistles and Gap both design well for larger sizes.

Allison Janney shows bootcut jeans are a bum's best friend

Shoes
There's no need to totter around in stilettos, but a slight heel will make you walk taller — which in turn flatters the figure. Wedges and boots are kind to thick calves — Duo does boots in different calf widths. Avoid brogues or anything with an ankle strap, you're asking for cankles. For flat days, a low cut ballet pump is the best leg lengthener.

Pocket Venus Kylie knows that heels add va va voom to curves

One for the boys
It's not just women who fret over their physiques. So it's only right we give the guys a couple of styling tips too. Go for square shoulders on jackets, as these draw attention away from a large midsection. Stick to lower rise jeans, and pleated suit trousers as these will slim thighs and stomach. Finally, don't discount bespoke. Not all tailors are prohibitively expensive — try the brilliant Tony Lutwyche.

Clooney shows that great suits aren't best on beanpoles

The top 5 fashion rules for 2011

Pink jeans the new oversized sunglasses this summer

The health risks of too-tight fashion