A list of 'fattening' clothes to avoid

By Alicia Kite, Top Style Consultant & founder of StyleMeSlim.com

Underwear to avoid

• An ill-fitting bra and any bad fitting underwear in general will make you look bigger.
• If you can see a VPL (visible panty line) on your bottom this will make your bottom look bigger and also pants that are too small that dig into your skin will have the same effect.
• A bad fitting bra where the band is too loose around your back means that your bust will drop down at the front, hiding your waist and making your tummy look bigger.
• If the cup of your bra is too small, your boobs will be spilling over the top and out towards the sides making you look bigger and broader, especially around the underarm area.
• If your bra band is too narrow, especially at the sides this can create the illusion of extra back fat making you look bigger.
• If you wear a white bra under a white/light coloured top and all you see is the unattractive bra band at the back and two white cups at the front, this will also make you look bigger.

Tops to avoid

• Tops pulled down that hug your tummy will make you look bigger and your tummy rounder.
• Sleeveless tops or dresses that are not cut deep enough, allowing the skin around your arm pits to seep out of the sides.
• Long cardigans pulled around your bottom can make your bottom and thighs look bigger.
• Shirts that pull across your bust make you look bigger
• A ribbed sweater can make you look bigger.
• A broad horizontal stripe where the light colour can sit just where you don't want it to.
• An empire line can make you look bigger especially if you are not very tall.
• A short sleeve that cuts across the widest part of your arm will make your arms look bigger.
• Thin, poor quality jersey / T-shirt fabrics that clings to your lumps and bumps.
• Heavy ruffles on bigger busted women can make you look larger.

Trousers to avoid

• Checked or patterned trousers can make your bottom and legs look larger.
• Low rise trousers or jeans allow muffins to escape over the top of the waistband, especially when combined with a clingy top showing this.
• Combat trousers that have pocket details on your thighs or large pockets on your bottom.
• Turn ups on trousers can make your legs look shorter and bigger unless you have long slim legs.
• Trousers that are too short will make your legs look shorter and bigger.
• Leggings or skinny jeans that cling to your knees will make your legs look bigger.
• Light coloured jeans/trousers can make you look bigger
• Any pocket detail on your bottom can make your bottom look bigger.
• Broad waistbands can also make you look bigger.
• Trousers that are too long and dragging on the floor can make your legs look shorter and bigger.
• If you have a rounded tummy then a high waisted trouser can make you look bigger - do the 'side check'.

Skirts to avoid

• Skirt lengths which finish across the widest part of your leg make your legs look shorter and bigger.
• Full skirts can add weight to your bottom half.

Jackets to avoid

• Jackets that are unstructured.
• Square jackets if not worn with care - for example worn with an item that is fitted - will make you look bigger.
• Jackets with breast pockets can make you look bigger if you are bigger on the bust.
• Puffa jackets can add weight to you.
• Swing coats/capes if you are not very tall can make you look bigger.
• Sleeves on jackets that finish across your hands will make you look shorter and larger.
• Jackets that finish at your widest point.

Fabrics to avoid

• Tweed and heavy fabrics will add weight to you.
• Large patterns and prints can make you look bigger if not worn without consideration.
• Thin jersey fabrics will cling to your lumps and bumps.
• A long ribbed border around the bottom of knitwear can cling to your muffins and make your tummy and hips look bigger.
• Stiff fabrics that give no shape will make you look larger.
• Satin fabrics in light colours will show all lumps and bumps.
• In general clothes that are worn to big or too tight will add weight to you.
• Sheer fabrics worn without a camisole revealing any lumps and bumps.

Shoes to avoid

• Ankle straps when you have thick ankles and large calves will shorten your legs making them look heavier.
• Sandals that are too tight around the feet will make your feet look fatter.
• Boots that finish across your calves especially if you have large calves can make your legs look shorter and larger.
• Pumps can add weight to your legs if you have thick ankles or large calves.
• A wedge in a dark colour can male your legs look chunkier.

Accessories to avoid

• If you are top heavy and have a short neck, a chunky short necklace will make you look bigger.
• Broad belts if you are larger than a size 16 with a short torso will make you look bigger.
• The wrong hair style won't flatter your face shape.

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