Do just 10 pounds stand between you and happiness? Women famously think they’re heavier than they are. But the misery bound up in those “extra” 10 pounds is staggering. O put together a team of experts for a long-overdue reality check. Could dressing smarter make all the difference? Or did the real answer have nothing to do with diet or waistlines, but rather with getting the “fat” label out of their heads?
TIPS from the What Not to Wear folks:
If you’re bigger on the bottom?? Don’t try to hide your “problem areas” with long shirts or jackets; you’ll only make your legs look shorter. Shorter tops (ending above the hip) that enhance your waistline are the way to go for you. The one must-have item is a non-pleated pair of trousers that sits at the top of the hip and has a mid-width leg. Always go with a pointy shoe (fun prints are a good thing)???you’ll add instant legginess.
If you’re bigger on the top?? Stay away from skinny pants because they’ll throw you way out of proportion. The same is true for straight and narrow skirts. A softly draped A-line, however, will balance out the bust and slim you down. Look for dresses that have an Empire seam, which supports the bust line and raises the eye above the natural waist, creating length in the whole body.
If you’re carrying a little extra in the middle?? To create an hourglass appearance, structured jackets are key. Look for one that nips in at the waist and falls over the top of the hip; it should also fit closely in the shoulders. Choose pants and skirts with a little volume. And for a suit, consider a dress-and-jacket combo.
If you’re shaped like an hourglass?? Forget those super-low-rise pants and skirts (they’ll emphasize your hips and give you love handles). Try a straight-cut, wider-leg pair of jeans that fits at the broadest part of your hip. Your must-have is a faux-wrap dress in cotton or nylon jersey (faux meaning it’s sewn to look like a wrap so you don’t have to get all tied up in it)???great for emphasizing your narrow midsection and accenting your assets.
Good Advice: Diet“Two of the best ways to lose weight: (1) Make a food cutoff time two or three hours before going to bed, and (2) eat a good breakfast.” ??? Bob Greene, Oprah’s trainer and the author of Bob Greene’s Total Body Makeover
Good Advice: Mind-Set“If you’re losing weight to please a partner or follow some ideal, you will rebel. You must be your own authority figure to succeed.” ??? Steven Hassan, mind control expert and author of Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves
Good Advice: Fashion“Don’t get hung up on the size. If you feel bad about yourself because a 12 is what fits, take a Sharpie, and write ’6′ on the label.” ??? Stacy London, cohost of TLC’s What Not to Wear.