Minimize hips with a colorblock sheath
We all know that a head-to-toe black ensemble is the gold star for slimming, but all that darkness can be a bit drab when you’re trying to spread some holiday cheer. The great news? Injecting a little color livens up any look—and strategically placed pops of brightness can be super slimming for us fuller-bottomed gals! Celebrity stylist Eric Himel suggests looking for a sheath with a solid black skirt and a bold, colorful design on the bodice. “The darker color makes the bottom retract into the background so it appears smaller, and bright colors on top draw the eye up and away from bulkier hips so they look optically slimmer.” Also, this season’s trend of a neckline with cutouts adds allure to the décolletage while optically broadening shoulders, which helps balance out a bottom-heavy figure. Another plus:
The structured shape of a sheath nips in at the middle to emphasize a gorgeous hourglass figure.
FIRST pick: New
York & Company, $70
(NYAndCompany.com,
Cutout Sheath
Dress-Colorblock)