Picking outfits that flatter your figure and hide your flaws

APPEARANCES count, so dress well because clothes maketh the man, or the woman.

Picking the right outfit can be a tricky thing. And it gets even more difficult as we age, as the pull of gravity causes pockets of fat to accumulate in areas like the upper arms, belly, hip, thighs and bottoms.

The key to looking good in whatever we wear is to learn how to select clothing that camouflages our body flaws and flatters us best:

> Buy clothing that fit well. Tight outfits accentuate every inch of flab, while baggy clothes make you appear bigger than you actually are.

> Avoid shiny and stretchy fabrics as they will highlight and cling to bulges you don’t wish to draw attention to.

> Black is always a safe colour because it hides a multitude of flaws, but don’t end up with a drab wardrobe.

Choose colours that complement your skin tone and make you look more vibrant. But be careful not to go overboard in mixing and matching colours.

> Fussy fabrics tend to make plus-size women look even bigger. If you don’t want to appear even larger, keep away from big, bold prints and fussy design details such as frills and horizontal stripes.

> Stick to clean, classic designs. Wearing tops and bottoms in monochromatic shades will help create an overall impression of length, and thus make you appear taller and slimmer.

> Tops should have attractive necklines that draw the eye to your upper body. They should be fitted and fall just above your hips so that your waistline is emphasised.

Having a wardrobe full of clothing won’t make you a fashionista. If you want to project a stylish image, toss aside ill-fitting outfits and start hitting the malls to find threads that will show off your figure more attractively. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network