Slimming strategies: How to use colors to appear thinner

What colors make you look thinner & slimmer? A basic understanding of how colors can be used to accentuate a plus-sized figure can be a real asset while shopping. When used correctly in clothing, colors can make your body appear slimmer and conceal any areas you’d rather not show off.

If you don’t use flattering colors or patterns, though, you run the risk of wearing items that create the illusion of more weight. If you aren’t sure how to use colors to appear thinner, you aren’t alone. Take a look at this basic guide for finding clothes with flattering and slimming colors and patterns.

A guide to slimming colors

Whether you’re talking about bathroom paint colors, abstract art, or clothing, one rule remains the same: dark colors recede and light colors advance. What does this mean for you? Light-colored clothing will draw the eye and stand out, making the area it’s covering appear prominent and larger. On the other hand, dark-colored clothing will diminish the appearance of whatever it’s covering, making it seem smaller and slimmer. For instance, if you want to make your legs and hips appear thinner, opt for dark skinny jeans and pants, and avoid wearing khakis, white pants, or even light denim.

Just because it’s universally slimming does not mean you should feel like you must have an all-black wardrobe. Here are some ways to use bright or light colors in your outfits to look skinnier.

Layer Colors Strategically

Layer light colors under dark ones to get the best of both worlds. A white or light-colored blouse looks pretty and sophisticated under a structured black or navy blazer or fitted cardigan. The vertical lines elongate your body making you look taller and slimmer.

A bright-colored statement piece

Go for a bright teal handbag, red pumps, or a cerulean statement necklace to incorporate some brightness into your look. They attract eyes to it — and away from your problem areas. Statement pieces are a great way to show personality!

Balance your proportions

Ladies with smaller upper bodies and curvy hips and thighs can balance dark bottoms with brightly colored tops. Try tucking a pastel-colored button-up into a black skirt, for instance, to make your upper body stand out and create an hourglass figure.

Slimming Colors other than Black

Does black make you look slimmer? Absolutely. But, black isn’t the only dark option for slimming clothing. Try playing with dark greens, reds, navy blue, and grays to add some extra excitement to your outfit and have a slimming effect.

Using Color Patterns

Like colors, patterns can also create the illusion of slimness or added weight depending on how you wear them. Here’s a guide to wearing some common patterns:

Slimming Stripes

Horizontal stripes can make whatever they’re covering appear wider, so it’s a good idea to stay away from them. Instead, wear clothing with vertical stripes, which creates a long line, making you appear taller and thinner.

Color blocks to look slimmer

When two or three colors are used in graphic shapes to add interest to a piece of clothing, it can be very flattering and slenderizing for curvy women. Look for color-blocking that uses darkly colored panels along the sides or around your waist, which will make you appear thinner. A slimming color block dress is an extremely powerful tool in the plus-size wardrobe arsenal.

Busy color patterns

Large busy patterns can look unflattering on curvy women, so if you’re going for a busy pattern, it’s best to find one with very small designs. Clothes with small all-over patterns are great for curvy women because they can disguise extra pounds, or any lumps and bumps underneath, whether that be on the belly, bottom or thighs.

Originally published at https://www.monroeandmain.com on May 25, 2021.