In today’s post I’m sharing 31 Tips about how to dress to look slimmer than you really are.
Over the years, and especially since I created Lifestyle Fifty in 2013, I’ve gleaned many style tips about how to look thinner in clothes.
I’ve tried thousands of things on in changing rooms! I’ve bought far too many garments, and over the years I’ve been lucky to collaborate with many different fashion brands.
I’ve learnt that scoop necks and v necks make you look longer and leaner, and elbow length sleeves can slim down the look of tuck shop arms just beautifully.
I’ve gleaned advice from wonderful style teachers, and savvy friends who have told me directly when something looks great or terrible!
If you’re carrying a bit more weight than you’d like and you want to know more about outfits to make you look thinner, read on!
Table of Contents
Skinny is not always healthy – Dressing to look slimmer is!
Wikipedia states that, “In the early 1970s, Vogue proclaimed “There are no rules in the fashion game now,” and with the advent of the Hippie Look design aesthetics meant that the runways began to feature a stable of long, tall, thin supermodels like Lauren Hutton, Margaux Hemingway, Beverly Johnson, Gia Carangi, Janice Dickinson, Cheryl Tiegs, Jerry Hall, and Iman.
And back then, I think we all wanted to emulate at least one of them!
Since then actually being skinny has not always equated to being healthy, and often it really isn’t, but wanting to look slimmer than you really are is definitely okay.
Especially if you are getting a slimmer look just by changing up the clothes you wear and making different decisions.
I don’t pretend to be the oracle and it’s up to you whether you think the following 31 style tips about How to dress to look slim and tall will help you look thinner than you really are and How to Dress Well if You’re Short.
Indeed you may not want to look thinner!
But I often do (although not always!) because I (mostly) feel better if I appear slimmer and trimmer in my clothes.
If I wear something that makes me feel and look larger and bigger than I really am, then I don’t feel so confident. In the end it’s all about confidence.
I really like the range of activewear that really holds me in at the same time as being super flexible. Check it out here: Emamaco.
Dress to look slimmer – It’s all about having a bit of extra know-how
What makes YOU feel great. What makes YOU feel confident. You decide!
Feel free to break the rules! They’re not set in stone and some may work for you and some may not. But here’s what I’ve learned and what I (sometimes) stick to!
How to dress to look thinner
- Wear dark jeans instead of pale blue jeans. Read this post about How to Look Skinnier in Jeans.
- Stick to high waisted, slimline, straight leg, classical pants/trousers.
- Activewear – such as tight black leggings worn with a sporty T can make you appear slimmer.
- Buy the best ponte pants you can afford and wear them with an elegant longer length blouse.
- Pop on a dark coloured scoop neck vest.
- Wear contemporary structured, well tailored jackets or blazers.
- Wear V-necklines.
- Buy one-colour-block dresses rather than cheap fancy prints.
- Dresses that make you look slimmer include those that have a crossover wrap style at the waist. Check out this post about Jersey Dresses.
- Don’t squeeze yourself into pants/trousers – go up a size to avoid the camel toe look.
- Find a fantabulous LBD (little black dress) and add a sparkling piece of costume jewellery to wear with it
- Wear a pencil skirt with a slit at the back or the side.
- For a slimmed down look stick to chic, well tailored white shirts rather than Boho floaty styles.
- A peplum blouse or jacket will nip you in at the waist to give you a leaner outline.
- High heels can make you look taller and slimmer. If you don’t like stilletos then opt for neat wedge heels instead.
- Ruched tops can hide a large belly.
- Don’t wear elastic or drawstring waist pants or skirts. That goes for harem style pants, tracksuit pants and flowing skirts.
- Stay away from clingy, tight and shiny fabrics. They will hug every curve and accentuate your belly or the fleshy bits around your bra straps.
- Don’t wear your tops tucked into the top of your jeans. Wear longer tops that flow over your belly and hips.
- Do you still have jackets with padded shoulders dating back to the 80’s? Get rid of them. They give you a bulky shape and shout ‘dated’ – Think Dallas!
- Do wear an A-shape jacket that fits at the shoulders and bust, and then flares down in an A shape to disguise a tummy.
- Tailored blazers can make you look slimmer and trimmer.
- Well structured trench coats with detail belts that you can tie behind you will make you look longer and leaner.
- Make sure you have the right fitting bra that lifts and supports in the correct places. Read How to Fit Your Bra Correctly.
- Don’t wear jeans so tight that they give you a muffin top! Here’s how to hide a muffin top.
- Stay away from gypsy style, full-flare skirts with elastic waistbands.
- Simple knee length dresses that make you look thinner may have darker panels down the sides.
- Fussy prints can make you look bigger. If you love prints then buy gorgeous ones – not cheap chainstore prints.
- A scarf worn correctly can add length to your overall look. Find out about different ways to tie a scarf.
- Longer length waterfall cardigans will make you look taller than a cardigan that sits on your hips.
- Posture is everything! Hold your tummy in, pull your shoulders back and stand up tall!
Plus Size? Dressing for your shape, not your size, is key to feeling your best.
You’d be surprised what a little length here, and little gather there can do!
The slim sleeves and scoop neck of the Otis top from Cotton Dayz give a nice lean look to a top that has extra width around the tummy area. Worn with skinny jeans and white sneakers this is a fabulous look.
Bringing out your very best features comes down to choosing clothes that have the right cut for your shape.
Gone are the days of simply dressing for your size. The shapeless tents of our mother’s generation are finally a thing of the past.
That’s not to say that a beautiful flowing midi or maxi dress in a pretty print won’t make you look and feel fab though.
What is important is that you find a colour or print that makes your eyes and skin look brighter, and a style that makes you feel comfortable and puts a smile on your face.
If you want to go long and flowing then do – adding a bit of height with boots, or a bit of flair with white sneakers will help take the focus off your size and add to your style.
Every body has wow factor features, whether they’re lovely long legs or generous “girls”, knowing how to dress for your shape will give you that “ooooh” dressing room moment and a little swish in your step when out and about.
Dressing purely “plus size” won’t accentuate a waist. It won’t show off those fabulous curves.
Always play up your good points before you begin covering-up what you might consider your flaw points.
Want to look slimmer than you really are? Shape Guides are Important.
My Tip: Look for stores selling plus size fashion for older women as they’ll usually have a “shape guide”. There’s nothing like the hormone rollercoaster that is a woman’s life, to change your body shape – so a store specialising in 40+ women’s fashion will help you dress for your shape.
Best Dresses for Women Over 50
Best Summer Dresses for Women Over 50
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post about how to dress to look thinner and look forward to any tips that you might like to add!
All the best
This version of this © Lifestyle Fifty post written 26 April 2022. First draft written 4.12pm 9th June 2021.
Video – How to Look Slimmer
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Great tips! I especially love the idea of using layering to create a slimmer silhouette. Can’t wait to try out the high-waisted trousers suggestion, too! Thanks for sharing these practical ideas!
I loved these tips! It’s amazing how the right clothing choices can really make a difference in how we feel about ourselves. I’m definitely going to try the vertical stripes and the tailored blazers. Thanks for sharing such practical advice!
Hello, Thanks for your tips. Keep safe! Be the inspiration.
yep, the longer tops are for me that is for sure. I hadn’t thought about v-necks. Perhaps I will give them a go. Thanks again Jo for a interesting, useful, and up to the minute post for us galls.
Thanks Jill, yes do try V-necks, they can really elongate. Me too, I’m all for a longer top, but trying to be bolder and shorter!!
Great tips for looking slimmer. Will pin this for future reference. Thank you for linking up for #agelessstyle link up.
Thanks Leslie, and great to connect with you too 🙂
Great tips Jo – I’ve not found that Covid has been kind to me, especially around my belly! I like these ideas. I’ve also found if you have someone taking a photo give the camera to the 20-year-olds they know all the tips to get the best photos!
Hello Little Wandering Wren, and thank you 🙂 Yes, the 20 year old tips is a very good one!! Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Thank you Jo. Out of all of these tips, I think darker colours always make you look slimmer. For years I wore high heels to make me appear taller and slimmer. These days I only wear a small heel, but I do find that they give me a little lift. I also believe large shapeless t shirts or tops tend to make you look larger than you are. Like you say, tailored and slightly fitted styles always are more flattering.
Hi Kathy, thank you so much for adding your ideas to this topic. Like you I used to always wear high heels and thought nothing of it! These days it’s far to hard on my feet, so I prefer kitten type heels, or small wedges which as you say give a little lift. I quite agree about large shapeless t shirts. I’m often feeling lazy and slip on a large top with say jeans, and then realise that a more fitted top with an open jacket or bolero cardi would be much more flattering. Thanks for popping by today. I appreciate your time and ideas 🙂