Dress Your Way to a Better Body

As much as we want embrace running outside or working our way through a gruelling spinning class, we much prefer the idea of using clothes to fix our body flaws, real or imagined. Call it the (very) lazy girl’s workout. These are tried and tested tricks we can all use to down play the bits of us we don’t like and shouldn’t mean buying a whole new wardrobe – just assess what you already have. If you are going shopping anyway, keep these points in mind.

Problem: Bingo wings
Fashion Solution: Midi sleeve tops hide the upper arm and only show the slimmer bit from the elbow to the wrist.

Miss Selfridge. £29

Problem: Short legs or cankles
Fashion Solution: Stay away from ankle straps! If you must have a strap, it’s all about placement. Try shoes with straps that go across the middle of your foot.

Kurt Geiger. Was £100, now £69

Problem: Big thighs
Fashion Solution: Maxi skirts were made for you. Or if it’s your thing, try culottes that skim over the legs.

Erdem. £665

Problem: I feel fat!
Fashion Solution: Take a tip from uber-stylist Rachel Zoe and carry the biggest bag you can find. You’ll look smaller in comparison to it.

DKNY. £125

Problem: I’m Pregnant and feel huge
Fashion Solution: If you’ve never been 8 months pregnant you won’t get this but it can feel like a genuine fashion (and emotional) emergency. Our tried and tested tip – buy the best black maternity maxi dress you can afford and wear it to death.

Isabella Oliver. £129

Problem: I’ve just had a baby and still feel huge
Fashion Solution: If still wearing the maternity maxi dress makes you want to weep into your Bounty pack (and again, we get it) buy the best black non-maternity maxi dress you can afford and wear it to death. Actually, buy two. Carry a really big bag, don’t do anything drastic with your hair (now is not the time to try that new look) and resist the urge to throttle people who say things like ‘still got one in there?’

Theory. £216

Problem: I feel short
Fashion Solution: Get a jumpsuit: it’s the same fabric from head to toe so no breaking up your figure. Embrace the 70s trend and get a wide legged version and wear with high wedges.

Miss Selfridge. £45

Was £200, now £110

Problem: Big bum
Fashion Solution: Sleeveless blazers are your friend. Wear with skinny jeans or leggings.

3.1 Phillip Lim. £530

Problem: Pear Shaped
Fashion Solution: A long blazer will cover your bum and thighs and you can roll up the sleeves to show off slim arms.

Reiss. £195

Problem: I’m too skinny
Fashion Solution: Create the illusion of curves with horizontal lines; slash neck tops can make your shoulders look wider and add volume to your frame with tassels and embellishments on clothes.

Charlotte Ronson @ Uniqlo. £24.99

Miss Selfridge. £55