Dress yourself slim

How many of you want to look a size or two smaller? You can follow a few of our dressing and styling tips to complement your figure and look leaner in the process. A good fit Focus on wearing clothes with a good fit, which means nothing too tight or too loose.

The goal is to present your body shape in the best ways, accentuating your best features. If you are bottom heavy, do not wear tight trousers as they will make you look bigger. The same goes for the top; if you are curvy, avoid very low necks or very fitted tops. If you are comfortable in heels, then wear them.

The more inches you add to your height, the leaner you will look. There's nothing more attractive than a nice pair of legs in heels. However, do remember, prolonged use can affect your back. So when you know you have a lot of running around to do, choose a sensible pair of walking shoes. Darker colours Try wearing darker colours as they are known to have a slimming effect. Dark colours work exceptionally well to camouflage areas you would rather were invisible. This does not mean that you have to dress in black from head to toe. Just wear a darker shade for bulkier areas and complement it with brighter shades.

The right cut For skirt lovers, it is important to focus on cut and style if you want to flatter your figure. Bulky or pleated skirts will simply add unnecessary inches to your waistline. Opt for a simple straight cut which will add length to your figure.It is essential to avoid horizontal stripes if you are aiming to look slimmer as they simply add width to your body. Instead, you should focus on vertical stripes which have the effect of lengthening your frame and giving you a slimmer appearance. Stripes work wonderfully on tops and even trousers, such as pinstripe trousers.

The right fabric Sometimes sheer fabrics have the effect of clinging to your body, accentuating areas you want to hide. Thicker fabrics stay put. So feel the texture of materials before buying anything. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable: you are the best judge. The writer is a freelancer based in Dubai

A model presents a creation by Colombian-born designer Haider Ackermann during the Autumn/Winter 2009 ready-to-wear collection show in Paris last week

Gianfranco Ferre Fall/Winter women's collection displayed at the Milan fashion week

From the New York fashion show. Heels add height to the body, making it look slimmer

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Clothes by Singapore-born designer Andrew Gn as part of his Fall/Winter ready-to-wear fashion collection during the Paris fashion show

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