The answer to this is invariably black or dark colors, because nothing slims your figure down as much as black does. Luckily, for most of us, it is our favorite color too. Also, try the monochrome look – it works. Go for a near color match or maintain a minimal color contrast for a tonal outfit to look slimmer.
Clothes that are too small or too big will both make you look bigger than you are. Clothes should not be tight because this creates and emphasizes the appearance of fat rolls.
One of the most powerful ways to look slimmer is to wear dark-wash jeans. Light wash jeans are great! But dark wash jeans will be more elongating and slimming. Also try to avoid jeans with whiskering, fading, etc.
Black never fails to make you look slim and elegant. Darker shades of colors like blue, purple and brown can also help to hide flaws and create a slimming illusion. On the other hand, lighter colors, like white and khaki, can add pounds and give the illusion of a larger frame.
Go big on top, narrow on bottom
If you like the idea of belly camouflage but want to show some shape too, let opposites attract. Pair any full-cut top, blouse, jacket or tunic with a slim base of trim pants, leggings or straight or skinny jeans (here's where the latter come in handy even if you no longer love them).
The rule of thumb, Fernstrom says, is that losing 8 to 10 pounds translates to going down one size.
A loose silhouette doesn't show where the fabric stops and the body begins, so you actually look as big as the extra large dress you're wearing. It's counter-productive.
Not only do high-waisted jeans cover your stomach, but they also elongate your legs, making you look taller and slimmer at the same time. If you want a super flattering look, pair some heels with your high-rise jeans to highlight your legs too.
So if your goal is to appear bigger, pick patterns that stretch across your frame, rather than up and down, says Boye. Find shirts with a darker color on top and a lighter shade on the bottom. The dark hue stretching across your chest and shoulders will create the illusion of more muscle, he says.
Multiple regression tells us that on average, for every 8.5 pounds lost, people dropped an inch off their waist. (And for every 1.5 kilograms lost, people dropped a centimeter off their waist.) Every 10 pounds lost was accompanied by 1.18 inches of waistline reduction.
The average American woman 20 years old and up weighs 170.6 pounds and stands at 63.7 inches (almost 5 feet, 4 inches) tall. And the average waist circumference? It's 38.6 inches. These numbers may or may not be surprising to you.
If you are on the heavier side, we suggest you always opt for vertical prints over the horizontal variant as they make you look less bulky and more toned. Dark colors at night and pastel colors during the day can work in your favor. If you are busty and have a slim waist, wear jeans that enhance your curves.
Slimming colors other than black
But, black isn't the only dark option for slimming clothing. Try playing with dark greens, reds, navy blue, and grays to add some extra excitement to your outfit and have a slimming effect.
Of all the colors in the spectrum, blue is an appetite suppressant. Weight loss plans suggest putting your food on a blue plate. Or even better than that, put a blue light in your refrigerator and watch your munchies disappear.
Turns out, the color blue may have some real weight-loss benefits. According to past research people who use blue plates, tablecloths, and napkins (and don't stop there, they say--you could paint your dining room blue and use blue lights, but that's getting a little nuts, no?)
Choose a Dark Wash Jean
If your goal is to look slimmer in jeans, you'll want to select a denim shade in the darkest end of the color range. Slim, well-fitting dark wash jeans, in a deep indigo or black denim wash, are not only slenderizing, but also super versatile for wearing with both casual and dressy tops.
Dark Wash. A dark wash pair of jeans is universally appealing to all shapes & sizes (and wears over time like a dream). Look for dark blue and black washes to add to your collection. Make sure you know how to wash black jeans properly so they don't end up fading.
"There's nothing in leggings that would cause any change to occur within the muscle or the fat of the leg," she says. "If your stomach and legs are flabby, it's because you're eating too much or not exercising enough," says Klauer. "Leggings don't affect your legs positively or negatively -- they're neutral."