We’re sometimes conscious of our figures and sizes, but we sometimes wear things not realizing the effect they will make on us. Some items like parka coat and chunky knits may be obvious, but keep on reading for the other 6 things that will instantly make you look bigger so you’ll wear them strategically.
1. Pleats
Pleats that fall from the waistband of your pants and skirts create volume. Remember, pleats are made to create a more flattering silhouette, especially if you have small hips. Since they highlight the specific area on your body, they must follow your curves comfortably and stylishly. If they sit on your hips and tummy, they will highlight your hips and tummy. Pleated skirts may work with women with straight figure to add some volume to their shape, as well as pear-shaped women so long the details fall on the perfect spot.
2. Elastic Waistbands
Basically, elastic waistband doesn’t fit properly. Elastic waistbands may save you from wearing waist-cinching belts, but most of the time it makes the extra fabric puff out creating more volume where most of us just don’t need it. Also, if you have any sort of curves, the waistband will move either up or down as you go about your day. However, if you have an athletic or boyish body type that lack curves, the band will likely find the slimmest place to sit and it’s going to be a lot higher than you want to. So, save those elastic waistbands on your gym clothes.
3. Reflective Ensembles
Reflective clothes like shiny satin, metallic silver pieces, and sequin items make whatever they’re covering look bigger. So when you reach for those satin pants or that gold jacket be aware of what the overall effect is going to be. To make it work for you, take advantage of reflective pieces to get proportion back into your shape. If you’re bigger on top opt for the metallic gold pants matched with more subdued top like fashion blogger Dawilda Gonzalez did.
4. Horizontal Stripes
Horizontal stripes trick the eye into thinking wider and the stripes with smaller and closer together arrangement give a more pronounced the effect. A wider stripe still has the same effect, though not so pronounced. Regardless of your size, you can certainly wear them as long as you keep them in proportion. If you’re a petite woman go for a small stripe, and if you’re a tall woman go for a larger stripe.
5. Baggy Clothes
You can instantly make yourself look slimmer by wearing fitting clothes. On the other hand, baggy clothes add some pounds on your looks visually. If you’re big and you wear baggy clothes rather than conceal it simply highlights how big you are. On the other hand, if you’re small it will highlight how small you are. If you wish to wear baggy jeans, balance it with a structured blazer like fashion blogger Jane Aldridge did.
6. Extra Details
Anything extra added on your clothes is going to draw the eye and make it look bigger. Whether it’s a zipper, pocket, beads, studs, fur and such, place them on the areas you’re not curious about. Also, you can make ruffles to your advantage like fashion blogger Blair Eadie did, adding some volume on her chest with a ruffled blouse. By heeding these simple tricks, you’ll be able to make your fashion pieces work for you strategically.