3. Wear one color head to toe
For the sleekest look — whether you’re a size 12 or 18, M, XL or 2X — keep your tops and bottoms in the same color group and intensity (in other words, a near match). You’re going for minimal contrast. For example, don a navy tee and dark wash blue jeans, a light blue hoodie and light wash jeans, or hoodie and leggings in black. No need to resist mixing seasonal items day or night, either. Your tonal outfit will get a lot more interesting if you mix in prints and textures, too — for example, wear a green floral silk blouse with your olive cargos and a heathery green cardigan. Pantsuits, of course, are a win. Dig ’em out!
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A H&M Ribbed Jersey Bodysuit worn by a model (left) and the clothing item by itself (center); H&M+ Ribbed Jersey Bodysuit (right)
H&M
4. Use bodysuits and swing tanks as smoothers
The last thing we want to reveal in public is back fat, muffin tops or a less-than-toned midriff. A simple black-sleeved bodysuit — such as the H&M Ribbed Jersey Bodysuit ($18, hm.com/en_us) also in plus size H&M+ Ribbed Jersey Bodysuit ($13, hm.com/en_us) — will create the slim, taut line you want and allow you to tuck in a top without the usual bulge creating excess to stuff into the waistband. They make great flab blasters, too, when layered under all close-to-the-body clothes.
Alfre Woodard (left) and Virginia Madsen
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images
5. Stick to no-waist dresses for belly camouflage
Tummy bulge is a front-and-center attention seeker. Don’t let it grab the spotlight. Any dress that does not have a belt — a shift, fit and flare, empire, raised waist, trapeze — is going to be more body-friendly to you now than separate tops and bottoms since there’s no break at the waist. One-piece dresses glide over curves and balance body proportions, so you look more “even,” too.
(Clockwise from bottom left) Ugg Jass; Superga 2790 Acotw Platform Sneaker; Kristin Davis wearing high-rise jeans
Superga; Zappos; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM
6. Add some height
While hardly anyone is racing to go back to wearing high heels or pumps (another probably forever here), any shoe with elevation — a wedge, platform sneaker or even a low block heel, kitten heel, mule or clog — will make legs look longer. Stay comfy but get some height in platform sneakers like the Superga 2790 Acotw Platform Sneaker ($80, zappos.com) or Ugg Jass ($100, zappos.com), and add some extra length to the look of your legs simply by moving the rise of yourjeansand pants up an inch. A pair that sit at your natural waist — a high rise, not a super-high rise — is what you want.
(Left to right) Queen Latifah, Bette Midler and Katie Couric
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Imagine LA; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images; Rachel Murray/Getty Images for MAKERS
7. Only put volume where you need it most
Some of us don’t gain weight evenly all over our bodies. The extra pounds go to our top or bottom. Are you a below-the-waist gainer whose extra pounds settle on hips, thighs and derriere? Or does your “extra” always go straight to your breasts and midriff? If you’re a bottom gainer, ditch the skinny jeans, knits and pencil skirts. Instead choose full A-line skirts and dresses as well as wide-leg pants ... always with a fitted top. If you’re a top gainer, forget tight tees and slim-fit button-downs and pair puff sleeve tops, dropped-shoulder sweaters and oversized shirts with slim bottoms. It’s all about playing with proportions.
