As women over 50, we may never have the same slim figure we did in high school. Some older women do but many of us struggle to lose weight. We often turn to oversized, baggy, and boxy clothes that make us look. . . well. . . big and frumpy. There is nothing wrong with having curves and our aging bodies are beautiful, but these simple tricks may help you look slimmer and give you more confidence.
What do I wear if I have a large bust, a big belly, or meaty thighs?
For one thing, don’t wear a tent that five kids can camp under. Optical illusions will give you more shape.
A good rule of thumb is to wear a dark top and bottom or dress with or without a belt in the same tone that will camouflage your bulges. Layer it with a contrasting jacket, sweater, or vest to give the illusion you have that “perfect” hourglass figure.
A solid-tone jumpsuit is surprisingly flattering on most figures. This silk suede jumpsuit by Lilysilk with buttons in front to make it easier to take on and off.
If you stick to that rule, it won’t matter if you wear a size 10 or 32, because the illusion will hide your bulges. Layering with complementary capsule wardrobe pieces will also minimize the number of clothes you need and save you money.
Don’t wear clothing that makes you look like a stuffed sausage
Do you wear clothes that are too tight? I worked in a boutique when I was a kid and had customers who insisted they were a size 6 but were more like 10s. Squeezing yourself into tight clothes will not do you any favors. Instead, wear clothes with a relaxed fit instead of baggy or boxy.
Avoid thick, bulky, or poofy fabrics
Heavy wool, fleece, corduroy, down, and even taffeta will not make you look slimmer if you are zaftig. Softer fabrics like cotton, silk, jersey, and velvet stay close to your body without looking tight. If the weather is cold and you want to be warm wear silk underwear or thinner layers.
Double-breasted clothing will double your breast size
Your 40D bust will double its size in a double-breasted blazer or coat. The buttons form a horizontal line across your chest making you look bigger and stockier. If you are busty, stick to fitted single-breasted jackets instead.
Avoid horizontal lines
Breton striped shirts are classic and French but will not make you look slimmer if you are chesty or large. Thin vertical lines or diagonal stripes are a better bet, but it depends on the stripes and the cut of the shirt or blouse.
There are other ways to create slimming horizontal lines that have nothing to do with stripes.
Color blocking can also make you look thicker. If you wear a light top tucked into dark pants, or vice versa it cuts you in half making you look wider and shorter.
Horizontal pocket flaps across the chest will also give you a boxy and wide look if you have a big chest. Try slanted pockets instead.
The type of neckline you wear can make you look slimmer
Older women with extra weight on top will look thick and wide in a crew neck tee shirt. And forget about wearing a pullover sweater with a big fat pumpkin on the front.
If you love wearing tee shirts but don’t want to look large and bulky, wear a v or scoop neck. Direct the attention to your ample cleavage and celebrate it.
Ditch your maternity-style blouses
We can no longer use the excuse that we are expecting post-menopause. If you have extra weight, you may have a closet full of billowing blouses. They only make you look larger than you are.
Tie-bottom or wrap blouses help make you look slimmer. They may still have some fullness but if the tie is on the side it can be flattering for your shape. I sometimes use a small hair tie and flip it under to make my blouse hem asymmetrical.
This Asymmetrical Bracelet Sleeve blouse by Karen Kane comes in many colors.
Blouses with asymmetrical hems will disguise a world of flaws, and help you look slimmer, rather than dumpy.
Balance your outfit
If you are petite and wear wide-legged pants with a full blouse or bulky sweater, it will make you look unbalanced and boxy. Wear slimmer-cut pants with a fuller or long top, or wide-legged palazzo pants with a closer-fitting top. The Palazzo pants below are available on Etsy.
Another way to balance your outfit and look slimmer is to wear a thigh-length blazer with slim pants or high-waisted flared pants with a bolero jacket.
I hope these tips will help you look slimmer. Please leave a comment below.
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