How to Not Look Fat: Tips to Make Any Trend Figure-Flattering

It's taken me almost 22 years, but I'm finally beginning to accept that not every trend that looks amazing on Kate Moss will look the same on me (I know, crazy right?). Ms. Moss effortlessly throws on white jeans, horizontal stripes and cropped sweaters, while the rest of us are standing in front of our closets, staring at the purchases we have yet to wear.

Well collegiettes^TM, we aren't alone. After talking with the Her Campus staff, friends and co-workers, there are definitely some staple styles that we're all struggling to make work. With the help of some fashion experts and the HC team, this article has all of the tips, tricks and outfit ideas you'll need to successfully pull of any style.

Horizontal Stripes

I know women who refuse to wear stripes because they've heard all their lives that the innocent horizontal print will make them look heavier. From fashion magazines to the tabloids – horizontal stripes are one of the most clichéd style pitfalls. This reasoning comes from the idea that the stripes' width and orientation will directly correlate with how your body is perceived. Cara Chace, founder of wardrobe consulting and personal shopping company Apparel Therapy, explains, "an outfit is all about proportion and visual cues." Thin, vertical stripes? Hello, Kate Moss. Wide, horizontal stripes and you'll gain twenty pounds. It's also important to pay attention to where the stripes fall on your body. A skirt adorned with thick, horizontal stripes is sure to add a few pounds to your hips and thighs. "Anyone can wear horizontal stripes if the width of the stripes is complimentary to your body size - the larger your size, the smaller the stripe should be," says Chace.

As the proud owner of one-too-many horizontally striped tops, I think it's time this myth is put to rest. The reason that horizontal stripes may make you look wider is because your eye follows the stripes, and in this case, the eyes go outwards. The trick is to fool the eye by adding another element. Cardigans, vests, even scarves are all perfect for breaking up those pesky stripes.

Cropped Tops

Like horizontal stripes, cropped tops also have a habit of making girls look wider than they actually are. They "can work for petite women but only with a skinny pant as opposed to the wide leg. Other than that, it's like wearing half a sweater or looking like you [came from] ballet," says stylist Sarah McManus. Whether it's because they cut your torso in half, fan out awkwardly from your chest or a mixture of the two, these tops are another popular trend that seem to only be flattering on Hollywood's A-list.

The best way to combat the unique style of cropped and oversized tops is to layer. Chace says that a crop top can be "styled correctly by using a layering piece - never on its own." Her suggestion is to "wear a hip-length top underneath, that is thin to avoid bulk." Another way to tackle the balancing act of proportions is with a pencil skirt. "My most successful outfit so far has been pairing the shirt with a high-waisted pencil skirt…The slimness of the skirt balances out the boxiness of the top," says Lucky Magazine's Assistant Accessories Editor, Becca Aronson. The key is balancing the characteristics of the top and keeping a natural proportion with the rest of your body.

Most commonly associated with the '80s and "mom jeans," super light-wash jeans are another favorite trend of models and celebs that doesn't quite flatter every body shape. We all know that darker colors are usually more flattering, so it's only natural that lighter washes will be less so. "They are dated and add extra weight by accentuating the wrong body parts," says McManus. Because this trend is pretty unforgiving, make sure that you find the perfect fit. No gapping, no sagging, no bunching – if you're going to try light wash jeans, a great fit can become a very flattering style.

Remember one last tip before you dig out the pair of light-washed skinnies that have been at the back of your closet since you bought them. Denim has been an American staple for, well, ever, and therefore there are quite a few stereotypes associated with light-washed jeans. Be cautious to avoid wearing your jeans with anything too bright or too casual – unless you're attending an '80s or Country-themed party. Chace agrees, "light wash jeans are great for summer time and more relaxed occasions [but] stay away from pairing with black, as its too heavy for this look."

The "Second Skin" or "Body-Con" Dress

Almost every retailer has a style or two in stock – those dresses that are so thin and so fitted that even goose bumps would show through the fabric. Sadly, a lot of the time these dresses are also absolutely gorgeous and exactly what you've been searching for. Although we've all probably suffered for fashion once or twice, dooming yourself to a night of feeling uncomfortable, awkward and insecure just isn't acceptable.

Luckily for all of us fashionistas, there are a few ways to win the war against to-die-for-but-too-tight dresses. Chace assures, even "if you are like most women, and are not completely physically perfect, you can still pull this dress off with a structured blazer, tights in the same color as a pair of great heels, and killer accessories."

Structure and support is key! Retailers like Arden B. and Bebe are notorious for having barely-there knit dresses that cling to every part of you body that you'd rather hide. However, there are a lot of styles that are made of sturdier fabric that smoothes (rather than clinging to) any insecurities.
Color, color, color is key. Darker colors are much more forgiving and slimming, but gradient dresses are also super flattering. A popular hue is a fade from gray or silver at the bust to a deep black at the hem of the dress. By utilizing colors in the fabrics, it's each to highlight and deemphasize different parts of your body with the same dress.
Need a little extra help to feel your very best in that dress? Chace has one word: "shapewear!" Female celebs swear by body-smoothing undergarments for red carpet events and it is the perfect secret weapon for all of our collegiette^TM events as well.

Still not convinced? McManus suggests forgoing the body-con style all together in favor of a trend that you're more comfortable in. "There are a million gorgeous dresses out there. Try accentuating one asset like your legs. This will [also] leave a little mystery."

As collegiettes™, we deserve to be able to experiment and express ourselves through fashion, and not be held back by fashion "rules". And while I know I will never be able to wear a leather-fringed vest quite like Kate Moss can, I will throw on my horizontal stripes and light-wash jeans whenever I feel like it – and feel confident while doing so.

Sources:

Cara Chace, Founder of Apparel Therapy

Sarah McManus, stylist

Becca Aronson, Lucky Magazine Assistant Accessories Editor