Appear slimmer
Let’s face it. We humans are superficial creatures – most of us do not try to lose weight to lower hypertension, cut the risks of breast cancer or diabetes, but to look better. It is in our biological nature to compare our looks with those of others.
There’s nothing wrong with this. A successful visual trick or two will improve your mood and a better mood will, in turn, motivate you to undertake more substantial changes.
You can easily implement all of the following tricks within two weeks. They do not need more willpower than going to a shop once, and putting a reminder sticker on your fridge.
And the cost? Even if you implement all of these recommendations, you can fit them within a budget of 400 USD/ 250 GBP or less.
Ready?
1. Fake shape.
Use slimming undergarments or a slimming waistband. Many celebrities use them for their red carpet appearances and beyond. Go for slimming belts and undergarments that are not too constricting, so you can use them for prolonged periods of time without discomfort.
Cost : under 40 US$/25 GBP in pharmacies, fashion shops and online.
2. The art of dart.
Make darts or tie a ribbon in the back of loose shirts or dresses. This will leave free-flowing fabric covering the belly area, while indicating an hourglass figure on the sides.
Cost: Any tailor can make this change for under 20 US$/ 12.50 GBP on a shirt or a dress.
3. Wear your best trousers.
Trousers optically improve your width/height ratio, making the observer’s eye follow a long vertical line. You should always have at least two perfectly fitting dark trousers in your wardrobe – one casual and one made of a slightly glossy fabric for the evening. Go for as low a hem as possible, barely touching the ground. Go for a straight cut - the ‘skinny’ cut is like it says – for skinny, long legs. If you have a petite or medium build, it will create an optical effect that does nothing for your figure.
Cost: You may use your trousers on most days of the week - unlike other pieces of your wardrobe - so investment is a smart choice. A tailor may recreate the look from your favourite old trousers.
4. V-neck.
Create an optical V at your neckline – with an open trench coat, V sweater, or an open shirt with a colourful T-shirt underneath. This will fix visual attention to the upper part of your body and optically slim your waistline. The V-line can be reinforced with fancy jewellery (no chokers, though). Sometimes, some subtle padding on your shoulders can also help.
Cost: almost nothing – most of us have all we need stashed in our wardrobes, only it’s hidden under the many clothes we either do not or should not be wearing.
5. That extra inch.
Switch to a small heel or platform shoes, instead of flat sandals. While wearing high heels all day will make most of us feel and look uncomfortable, virtually everyone can walk on low heels (3–5 cm / 1-2 inches) for an afternoon of shopping. The small amount you are adding to your shoes in the form of heels or platforms will optically disappear from your hipline.
Cost – Under 100 US$/ 60 GBP. Adding a couple of centimetres/ inches as a must-have requirement to your next shoe purchase will help you save money by avoiding an impulsive buy of another beautiful, uncomfortable pair of shoes that you’ll never wear.
6. Up hair days.
Your hairstyle can easily add a couple of centimetres / an inch to your height. You can create a chignon, use hairpins, hair spray or gel. Still, pay attention that you don’t start to resemble Elizabeth Taylor in her latter days.
7. Hold your shoulders back.
Do like your mother told you - always always always hold your shoulders back and push your chest out. Your shoulders should be further back than your ears and your breast bone further out than your chin. This will have a twofold effect – it makes you an inch / 2.5 cm taller than when you slouch (and therefore improves your height to width ratio), and, by flexing the large muscles in the back, makes your midriff appear slimmer (you will be also using more calories than when slouching). You can verify the variance in height easily – stand with your back to the wall and draw a pencil mark against the top of your head first in the comfortable position that most of us take with your shoulders bent slightly forwards, and then make a comparative pencil mark above the top of your head when you stand with your shoulders in the back and head held square on your shoulders. The net difference between the two marks may surprise you.
To start changing the slouching habit, you can purchase an elastic posture corrective brace and wear it for limited time; its pressure will remind you to correct your posture.
Cost: under 40 US$/25 GBP in pharmacies or online
Now let’s calculate the overall result:
Shoes + shoulders back + long trousers + hairstyle = 5–7cm/2-3 in taller
V- shape + focus on the upper part of the body + tailoring at the back of your dresses + slimming underwear = 5–7cm /2-3 in slimmer
Et voilà: you are now 2 sizes slimmer, more confident and ready to start TheSlimSchool course. Subscribe now.
Back to home