Look 10 pounds thinner without dieting

Although some of us get really hung up on the number on a scale, many of us care less about the number and more about how we feel and look.

What can you do if you’re okay with the number and feel good (most of the time) about your eating and exercising habits, but don’t like what you see in the mirror? Does it mean you should try to lose a few pounds? Or worse, what if you have lost weight, but you feel as though you look as big as ever! Now, what can you do, lose more weight?

Dissatisfaction with your appearance may not even be so much of a weight issue at all. Sometimes it’s just a matter of knowing how to dress to flatter your body. That, believe it or not, can make you look like you’ve lost weight without losing so much as a single pound!

  1. Black is slimming. It’s not a secret that black can make you look slimmer, but there’s more to the slimming effect than just wearing black. Wearing black well means avoiding black, shiny fabrics, and overly large and flowing garments. Tight, tight clothes, no matter the color, even if they’re black, such as yoga pants – especially yoga pants, are never slimming. Dark neutrals are also slimming. If you feel like wearing black because it’s slimming is just too obvious, dark neutrals are also slimming – brown, charcoal, navy and even hunter green.
  2. Avoid contrasting color block combinations, but don’t be afraid of color and prints. The goal is to stop the eye from going side to side. Avoid doing that. White blouse and a dark skirt, for example, prevents the eye from traveling up and down.

    Contrasting colors work when topped with a jacket that matches the skirt. The eye travels up and down and the vertical flash of color tricks the eye to further enhance the slim appearance.

    Contrasting colors work when topped with a jacket that matches the skirt. The eye travels up and down and the vertical flash of color tricks the eye to further enhance the slim appearance.

  3. Avoid tight clothes. Just because you can put it on and it zips, doesn’t mean it fits or flatters. Try the next size, the “stuffed sausage look” no matter how small of a size the tag reads, will make you look bigger. Wearing tight clothes is a way to appear overweight, even when you’re not.

    You may love that you can actually zip the smaller sized jeans but if they're grabbing your thighs and digging into you tummy and back, creating a muffin top, you'll look thinner if you go up a size.

    You may love that you can actually zip the smaller sized jeans but if they’re grabbing your thighs and digging into you tummy and back, creating a muffin top, you’ll look thinner if you go up a size.

  4. Avoid baggy clothes. I can’t stress this enough – wear clothes that fit well. Clothing that is too large and baggy may make you feel thinner, but nobody will see that slimmer look. If you don’t believe me, check your mirror to see for yourself!
  5. Wear clothes that skim the body. An easy fit is most flattering. Select fabrics that that follow your body lines without grabbing them. Wool and tropical weight wool blends are excellent choices as is cotton and cotton blends. Stretchy nylon and spandex, bulky knits, wide-wale corduroy, crushed velvet, metallics and leathers (pleathers) are not.

    How to look 10 pounds heavier - "Tight and Shiny!"

    How to look 10 pounds heavier – “Tight and Shiny!”

  6. Tailored clothes, especially well-tailored clothes, help you look trim and elegant. On the other hand, clothes with a lot of fussy details such as bows, ruffles, belts, bedazzles, too many pockets and the like make you look fuller.
  7. Keep your middle covered. Even perfect bodies have trouble with low-slung jeans and cropped tops. Many of us carry our extra pounds around our middle and if we keep that area covered, nobody even knows we have extra pounds!
  8. Your underwear matters. Supportive, slimming undergarments and a good, well-fitted bra are a woman’s body’s best friend. Everything you wear over good, supportive underwear will look 100% better. They may be pricy but they are worth every cent!
  9. Pay attention to your posture. If I sound like your mother, I apologize, but she’s giving you good advice. Stand up tall, push back your shoulders and hold in your tummy. Good posture can instantly make you look 5-10 pounds lighter.

    Stand up straight and instantly look slimmer!

    Stand up straight and instantly look slimmer!

  10. For more help dressing to look thinner click here!
Jackie Conn

About Jackie Conn

Jackie Conn is married and has four grown daughters and four grandchildren. She is a Weight Watchers success story. She's a weight loss expert with 25 years of experience guiding women and men to their weight-related goals. Her articles on weight management have been published in health, family and women's magazines. She has been a regular guest on Channel 5 WABI news, FOX network morning program Good Day Maine and 207 on WCSH.