How to look thinner without losing a pound

Maybe your New Year's resolution to lose weight hasn't exactly kicked off to an Olympic start. Fear not. With some easy style tricks, you can dress to give the illusion of looking 10 pounds thinner, starting now.

We talked to style experts who say you can help reduce the appearance of unsightly bulges, a not-so-svelte tummy, thick legs, big chest and large derriere by paying close attention to your wardrobe.

It's all about playing up your assets and downplaying your problem areas, says Amanda Reno, a fashion stylist who works with such actresses as Carmen Electra and Virginia Madsen.

"Any woman can look good and it's not necessary to spend a lot of money," Reno says. "Wearing clothes that fit correctly can make you look slimmer."

To start, make sure you're wearing a supportive, properly fitting bra.

"Women need to have their bra remeasured every six months because your body changes shape and bras stretch out," says Anne Hankey, assistant academic professor of fashion at the Illinois Institute of Art in Schaumburg. "If you're wearing a stretched-out bra, it automatically makes you look saggy and heavier on top."

Another support garment that can help improve your appearance is a body shaper, which is basically a modern-day girdle. Two popular shapers that red-carpet celebrities swear by are The Body Wrap and Spanx. The Wrap's Long Leg Panty ($28, BareNecessities.com) and Spanx' Power Panties ($25, www.spanx.com) both claim to firm the tummy, behind and thighs.

"They can reduce you one whole size," says Michelle Madhok, founder of the fashion Web site SheFinds.com.

Now that your base is smooth, it's time to pay attention to your clothes.

If you're heavy on top or around the waistline, Hankey suggests wearing a shirt that has ruching or crinkled details around the middle, which can help disguise your stomach's size. Similarly, you don't want something that's too clingy, she adds.

"Cashmere is a great fabric because it glides over problem areas, can be dressed up or down and makes you feel good and luxurious," Hankey says.

Reno says to avoid boxy styles and suggests wearing a well-tailored jacket that nips at the waistline and skims over the hips and stomach, which will help give your midsection a trimmer look.

If you're big-breasted, Madhok suggests staying clear of high-necked tops such as turtlenecks and opting for a V-neck top or blouse that will highlight your neckline and open up the space between your chin and neck.

To make thighs look thinner, wear dark-color flare or bootcut pants with Lycra stretch, suggests Reno, who likes the cotton-stretch pants made by Theory, Club Monaco and Banana Republic. The stretch fabric glides over problem areas, and the dark color looks slimming.

"Stay away from [100 percent] cotton pants though; they show [panty] lines," she says.

Madhok also stresses the power of pinstripes and wearing your pants long.

"Any type of vertical lines create an optical illusion and make your legs look thinner," Madhok says. "And the longer the pant leg the better. That makes you look taller, which also makes you look slimmer."

Reno agrees: "Wear pants on the long side. I call it the dangerous length, where they're almost grazing the floor."

If you want to downplay your backside, go with low-rise pants, such as Ann Taylor's Lindsay Pants ($98), or Express' The Editor Pant ($59), and opt for a pair that stops at the base of your spine rather than your natural waistline. Otherwise "your butt can look like it runs from your thighs to your waist," Madhok says.

Regardless of your figure flaws, a safe and chic look is a monochromatic one. Hankey suggests dressing in varying shades of charcoals, navys and browns.

"Wear the darkest color where your problem area is and the lightest color where you're trying to highlight," she says. For instance, if you have thick legs, pair dark charcoal stretch pants with a light gray cashmere sweater. Or if you're top heavy, wear a light-camel knee-length skirt with a V-neck dark brown cashmere sweater.

Hankey also says it's important to match your shoes to your pants. If you're wearing black pants, go for black shoes, which help create a long, lean line.

Finally, Reno suggests wearing heels, even if it's only a small heel. For an affordable designer look, she likes the Charles David brand. "In heels, your legs instantly look longer, your calves look leaner and your tush looks better," Reno says.

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