If you have last-minute party plans and you’re looking for a quick fix to appear slimmer, the answer is right in your closet. But before you go reaching for that shapeless dress—a mistake that a lot of women make—follow these fashion and style tips and shed those extra inches in seconds. Here, we’ve rounded up ten tips that offer effective solutions to hiding your stubborn problem areas.
These Style Tips Will Make You Look Slimmer by Tonight
Shapewear
Never underestimate the power of a girdle. The stretchy spandex material forces you to suck your tummy in while it smoothens out, hugs, and tucks unwanted bumps under a pencil skirt or a body-hugging dress. Dmondaine Marilyn full slip US $170; AED/SAR 624 www.net-aporter.com
Stilettos
Get lifted to thinner heights in a pair of pointy pumps. Look for shoes that lift you at least two inches from the ground and feature a thin heel and tapered toe. This trick will make your ankles appear thinner and your legs longer than ever. Casadei Stiletto pumps US $592; AED/SAR 2,174 www.farfetch.com
Black Tights
Like shapewear, tights smooth out unwanted bumps and lumps on your legs and thighs. Choose an opaque shade to instantly transform your legs into long, lean stems. Wolford Matte opaque 80 denier tights US $110; AED/SAR 404 www.net-a-porter.com
Block Party
Color blocking with dark panels that are placed strategically around your problem areas can shave off inches, instantly. For example, to achieve that hourglass shape, look for dresses with curvy dark side panels; and if you want your lower half to appear slimmer, select a color block skirt with contrasting color panels. Roksanda Aalto skirt US $1,359; AED/SAR 4,991 www.bysymphony.com
Black is King …However
Wearing all black to appear slimmer is one of the oldest tricks in the book. However, wearing the same color from head-to-toe day in and day out can get boring. Switch it up by choosing colors like forest green and navy blue, which produce the same effect as black—only with a bit more punch. Dolce & Gabbana Scoop-neck lace dress US $2,877; AED/SAR 10,570 www.matchesfashion.com
Fit n’ Flare
A flared dress not only does wonders to help you look thinner but it’s also a closet staple that flatters all body types. Look for styles that are cinched at the waist with a full skirt. This will slim your midsection and help balance out full hips. Saint Laurent Embellished metallic lace dress US $7,922; AED/SAR 29,098 www.mytheresa.com
Optical illusion
Vertical stripes create the illusion of looking long and thin. The trick here, is to get someone’s eye to follow a straight line. Look for this print in thin stripes for it to really work its magic. Balmain Striped stretch-knit mini dress US $3,190; AED/SAR 11,717 www.net-a-porter.com
It’s in the Jeans
Conceal your problem areas in your favorite closet staple. Choose a pair of high-rise, slim-cut dark indigo denims that stretch. The high waist slims your midsection while the stretchy material helps to hold everything in place. Avoid jeans with embellishments that will draw unwanted attention to areas you don’t want emphasized. Paige Mid-rise skinny cotton-jersey jeans US $254; AED/SAR 932 www.stylebop.com
Fitted Cuts
Hiding your body under baggy clothes or wearing pieces that are bigger than your actual size can do you more harm than good. Instead, choose fitted pieces like a tailored blazer and pair it over a jumpsuit in one color scheme for maximum slimming results. Junya Watanabe Comme Des Garçons Tuxedo blazer US $1,364; AED/SAR 5,009 www.farfetch.com Saloni Aurelie crepe jumpsuit US $615; AED/SAR 2,258 www.net-a-porter.com
Shine On
Shiny lamé and sequenced materials get a bad rap for creating the illusion of extra kilos. But if you wear these fabrics correctly, you can sparkle as much as you want. The trick is to hide your problem areas with dark colors and accentuate your best assets with metallics. Martin Grant Wool blend open back dress US $1,505; AED/SAR 5,527 www.modaoperandi.com
