IN 15 MINUTES YOU CANÉ
Élook 10
pounds
slimmer
The fastest Òweight lossÓ plan? Choose
the right figure-fixing clothes for you.
Òlose 10 poundsÓ was one of your New
YearÕs resolutionsÑagain. So you dutifully
purchased the Bun Roller, Thighmaster, and
Ab Lounge (online shopping: one hour;
screwdriver time: two nights and counting);
cleared the holiday sweets from the pantry
(the better part of a morning); and paid a
long overdue visit to the gym (two hours
with traffic), where the 21-year-old trainer
who pinched your flab with a caliper said
youÕd see results in six weeks. HereÕs what
ÔÔ
camouflage problem areas and accentuate
the body parts you like, you can appear as
much as 10 pounds thinner in the time it
takes to get dressed. Try some of these
ÕÕ
casual and dressy clothing options and
youÕll look as if youÕve already nailed that
resolutionÑwithout moving a muscle.
R E A L
Dana Buchman, designer
she didnÕt tell you: By wearing clothes that
S I M P L E
W R I TT E N B Y C L A I R E S U L M E R S
P H OTO G R A P H S B Y S U S I E CU S H N E R
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J A N U A R Y
For buying info for this dress, see Credits, last pages.
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I dress 10 pounds slimmer
if you have large hips
if you have a thick middle
cheat the scales
More tips for dressing
to look thinner.
Wear high heels.
Extra inches visually
extend your look.
Avoid heels with
ankle straps. The
straps cut off the lines
of your legs.
Wear patterns.
Yes, you read that right.
They act like visual
camouflage, hiding
bumps and bulges. Just
make sure the pattern
is in proportion to your
frame and build and
isnÕt made up of loud,
contrasting colors.
Pick a belt that
blends with your
clothing color and
use it to highlight
the smallest part of
your waist.
Choose clothing
with built-in vertical
lines. Shirtdresses with
buttons running down
the front and garments
with vertical stripes
have a slimming effect.
Find the right bra.
When you lift your bust,
your stomach looks
flatter. Unsupportive
bras make your breasts
and stomach morph and
appear bigger.
ÒA-line skirts with a nice drape are great for bigger bottoms,Ó
Steer clear of clingy or short tops. ÒChoose an Empire-waist
For a night out, stick with the Empire waist, but in dress form.
Saboura, author of Sam SabouraÕs Real Style (Clarkson Potter,
says Leah Feldon, author of Does This Make Me Look Fat?
cut that has a slight flare from just below the bust to the
The silk fabric of this pick wonÕt stick to your body, and its dark
$18). Pair them with a top that stops just below the hips.
(Villard, $15). ÒThey flow but still show your bodyÕs shape.Ó
bottom,Ó says Saboura. ÒMake sure it is in a substantial, but
pattern diverts attention away from your abdomen and toward
to buy: AV Adrienne Vittadini wool-and-cotton tweed jacket,
Here, vertical lines visually lengthen the lower half, while
not bulky, fabric that will drape over the tummy area without
the real showstopper: you.
J A N U A R Y
$228, 866-479-3757. Cashmere sweater by Mai, $295,
a polka-dot top keeps the focus on the upper body.
looking like a tent.Ó
to buy: Plenty by Tracy Reese silk dress, $300,
www.mai-nyc.com. Banana Republic cotton tunic, $68,
to buy: Liz Claiborne silk-and-cotton blouse, $89, 800-555-
to buy: Maxstudio.com cotton-and-cashmere sweater, $98,
212-807-0505.
www.bananarepublic.com. Jeans by 7 for All Mankind, $154,
9838 for store locations. Ann Taylor Loft wool-blend skirt, $69,
www.maxstudio.com. Mavi jeans, $88, www.mavi.com/shop.
BloomingdaleÕs, 866-593-2540.
800-342-5226 for store locations.
58
Americans spend
about $38 million on
womenÕs clothing and
about $25 million on
menÕs clothing.
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R E A L
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Choose straight-leg or bootcut pants, says stylist Sam
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dressy
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casual
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dressy
R E A L
casual
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(continued)
I dress 10 pounds slimmer
if you have a large bust
if you have a curvy figure
cheat the scales
(continued)
Tailor pant hems a
little longer. Then pair
them with high heels
in a matching color for
the leanest look.
Show off your best
body parts. If you have
toned forearms, highlight them by wearing
a shirt with threequarter-length sleeves.
Or if you have great
legs, choose a skirt that
stops at the knees.
Pick a bag in proportion to your body.
DonÕt carry a small bag if
youÕre a plus size or a
large bag if youÕre petite.
Consider your hairstyle. If you have broad
shoulders, very short
hair will make you look
boxy. If your face is
round, avoid center
parts, which can make
a face look fuller.
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dressy
ÒCamouflage a larger chest with a tailored jacket or a bit of
Plunging (but not revealing) necklines are perfect for evenings
A monochromatic look in slimming dark colors can effectively
Heading out for the evening? Play up your shape. ÒFor a curvy
layering,Ó says Clinton Kelly, cohost of the Learning ChannelÕs
out. ÒV-necked tops bring the eye down and draw attention
shed pounds. ÒDressing in one color creates a vertical line,
woman, the most important thing is to show off her silhouette,Ó
What Not to Wear. Skip baggy clothes and opt for a structured
to the centerline of the body,Ó says Saboura. Choose a halter
making your body seem longer and taller,Ó says Feldon. ÒKeep
says Saboura. The neutral color of this dress helps slim the
jacket over a dark camisole to de-emphasize the chest, he says.
or a V-neck, like this wrap dress has. The diagonal lines create
it simpleÑno ruffles or big florals.Ó
body; design details at the top and the bottom, plus a cinched
to buy: BCBG Max Azria linen-blend jacket, $278,
a slimming effect.
to buy: Trina Turk cashmere sweater, $328, 323-651-1382.
waist, highlight an hourglass figure.
www.bcbg.com for locations. Elli cotton-and-cashmere tank,
to buy: Boden viscose dress, $98, 866-206-9508.
Saint Grace twill pants, $130, Y & I Clothing Boutique,
to buy: Nicole Farhi wool dress, $795, 212-223-8811.
$88, www.elliclothing.com. Jeans by 7 for All Mankind,
415-202-0775. Spanx spandex tank, $44, Nordstrom, www.
$180, Nordstrom, www.nordstrom.com for store locations.
nordstrom.com for store locations.
For more figure-fixing ideas, see page 64.
Find your
size. To figure
out whether a garment
will fit you without
trying it on, go to www.
realsimple.com/sizing.
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R E A L
casual
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dressy
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On average, a newborn baby gains
just under a third of
a gram in weight.
casual
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Stay away from
satin and other lightcatching materials.
Shiny fabrics reflect
light and draw attention
to problem areas.
I dress 10 pounds slimmer
not your grandmaÕs girdle
Modern body slimmers lift and lengthen without cutting off circulation. However, if they are worn
too long, you could develop a Òskin reaction, like inflamed or infected hair follicles or a rash,Ó
says Mathew Avram, director of the Dermatology Laser and Cosmetic Center at Massachusetts
General Hospital, in Boston. So go ahead and wear them all eveningÑjust donÕt sleep in them.
jockey, $28
to buy: 800-562-5391.
for a thick middle
spanx, $58
to buy: Saks Fifth Avenue,
bali, $52
to buy: MacyÕs, www.
wacoal, $48
to buy: Figleaves, www.
877-551-7257.
macys.com for locations.
figleaves.com.
for curves
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J A N U A R Y
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for a large bust
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bali, $31
to buy: MacyÕs, www.
lilyette, $30
to buy: www.maiden
spanx, $72
to buy: Neiman Marcus,
body wrap, $74
to buy: Figleaves, www.
macys.com for locations.
form.com.
888-888-4757 for locations.
figleaves.com.
P H O T O G R A P H S B Y K E V I N S W E E N E Y F O R T H E T I M E I N C . D I G I TA L S T U D I O
for wide hips