If you went up to the average person on the street and asked: What would you like to change about your appearance? You might get all kinds of answers, such as remove my wrinkles, lose weight, look taller, or have hair. I think looking slimmer would be one of the most popular answers. I am not even talking about losing weight here. I am delving into how to look slimmer now! As a Carmel Personal Stylist, I have been extensively trained in understanding how to use colors, prints, and proportions to help clients look their best. Some of these principles are what I will discuss here.
Carmel Personal Stylist Advice for Looking Taller and Slimmer
I always approach every new client with very important information centered around the best colors, best shapes, and style. To me, this is the most logical way to achieve a taller and slimmer look.
Knowing your best colors is a long-term strategy that helps you better understand your wardrobe and make the best shopping decisions. It most definitely does not mean excluding 50 percent of the colors out there. But it does involve knowing how to wear colors and use a plan.
The best shape is key. Most of my life, I never understood how to dress my shape — I was a pear. Back in the 70s and 80s, pants were uniform, such as square, preppy khakis, or flare leg jeans. They didn’t really flatter me. I decided then I was a dress girl and wore them constantly. That has changed now. I go over pants shapes with every client, including men.
Style is important too, and beyond style is signature style. That is understanding what clothing appeals to you and what styles you love or think feel wrong.
Beyond this basic “starter” stuff, here are some ideas about how to appear slimmer.
- Never put a line on your shape anywhere you don’t want to emphasize. For instance, if you have wide hips, don’t buy a jacket that stops right at the hip line. Wear a shorter or longer jacket.
- Avoid horizontal stripes. They widen you, especially light color stripes, wide stripes, and even diagonal stripes.
- Monochromatic outfits slim you, even light-colored ones. The reason is that you are creating a long, lean line top to bottom. That lengthens. Add a heel in a similar color, and you make yourself appear even taller.
- Avoiding super skinny pants. Straight pants create a long, taller look.
- Wearing clothes that fit versus clothing that is baggy is much more slimming.
- Avoid shoes that cut you off, such as short ankle boots stopping at the heaviest part of your leg. This is the number one tip for my shape.
- Avoid the black pants and light top/dress shirt outfit. This cuts you in half and shortens you.
- Pleats and gathers around the waist add bulk. Men and women should avoid it.
- A pointy toe adds length to your length as well.
Schedule a Style Appointment for Help Dressing Slimmer
Dressing slim may seem foreign at first, but it is something you can learn. Here is a client I recently worked with who wore a beautiful set by Varley. It flattered her warm skin tone. And the material was so soft.
If you’d like to dress slimmer, reach out for a Carmel Personal Stylist appointment with Beth Divine Style.
Keep it sassy, Indy.
Beth Divine, MA, AICI-CIC, Personal Image Stylist
