December 12, 2018

Layer and Look Slim: Yes, it’s Possible

In this cold weather holiday season, it’s important to know how to layer so that you look slim in pictures. Layering can add bulk if you’re not careful. But if used strategically, layering can be figure-flattering and photogenic. Here are some tips to use layering to your advantage.

HERE’S a look that’s cozy and slimming for day-to-night in the winter holiday season.

Black photographs great because the camera only sees light and dark. More importantly, wearing black makes you look smaller in pictures.

Start with a little black wrap dress. This style is flattering on everyone, and the cut of a wrap dress makes it easy to layer. This velvet wrap dress has 3 quarter sleeves and a low V neck. It’s pretty but not warm. That’s why adding the mock neck would be helpful.

Find a thin mock turtleneck as your base. The fabric needs to add only warmth, not bulk.

Then analyze where the sleeves overlap. The best styling tip is to add a rubber band to hold your top layer in place and then cover the rubber band with the extra fabric. (See if you see it in my sleeves in these pictures without the coat. 🙂 )

Consider adding a waist-clinching belt. A simple belt pulls the eye in and minimizes any bulk from added fabric.

The easiest way to stay warm is with a heavy duty fur coat, but it doesn’t have to be full length.

Another slimming tip for pictures is to wear beige boots. This color always gives extra length to the legs. Matching your shoes to your skin tone is extremely flattering in photography. Remember the camera only sees light and dark, so blending footwear with skin tone makes your legs look pretty.

Having the coat match your boots in color but not material also creates the illusion of length and a cohesive overall look.

A look is all about the details, and a little beret with great texture adds lots of cozy warmth without being bulky. It’s also easier to greet people with this kind of form-fitting hat.

Think about where to show skin and how to create flattering allusions of more skin.

Wear Shoes That Are a Skin Tone, in this case, I’m wearing boots that are beige. These boots are great for the cold weather while being flattering at the same time.

Showing skin around your neck is always flattering, but not warm. Nor does it protect your skin from the elements. That’s the beauty in finding a great layering piece, like a mock turtleneck that will be easy to wear under a dress. Daytime wear the mock neck and at night take it off and show the skin. With the layer of the mock neck on, it’s nice to show a little skin on the legs.

This leads to the next tip for flattering pics. Experiment with a spray tan. Getting a Faux-Tan is a fast way to make you look thin in pictures. By blending and camouflaging brown spots, veins, etc., a spray or salon tan will make your skin appear smooth in pictures.

Choosing The Right Fabrics & Think about How They Fit Your Figure

Fabrics that don’t add volume are “flat” without too much texture. Think of silk, denim, thin wool, or cotton blend.

The way a fabric hangs affects how your body looks wearing the fabric. Some fabrics can be slimming, like a well-fitting jersey or anything with a dash of spandex.

Be strategic and sparring with bulky materials like crushed velvet and fur.

PHOTO CREDIT: MONICA NEVES

This look consists of wardrobe staples, so perhaps you could recreate it with items you already have in your closet. What’s great about these mix and match pieces is that you can wear them to a holiday party with the right accessories, but they’re not so specific that you can’t wear again. Hope these ideas help get you ready for the holiday events and feel comfortable taking pictures.

Did you catch THIS post on wardrobe updates?

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