Fashion- Visual Illusions: Tricks for a Balanced and Leaner Look

In the era of consumerism, glorious entrepreneurs are coming up with new products for you to buy, praying for human weaknesses and complexes. Our appearance (especially women’s) has become one of them.

Women are bombarded with thousands of diets, products with zero fat, etc etc…all to lose weight and be slimmer. I, for one, am all for a healthy lifestyle with a commonsense approach without braking your bank account, without setting up yourself for a big possibility to fail and thus experiencing the most devastating sense of guilt of not achieving the expected results.

In this blog, I would love to touch upon this very subject matter - Our Appearance- but from a totally different angle!

I will share with you six “tricks” on how to make YOUR wardrobe work for YOU! I dedicate this helpful piece of information to my mom, who was raised in a Belarussian village during the Second World War at the heart of battles for five years and then- postwar times, with absolutely nothing. And yet, as soon she got her degree in chemistry and was able to get some fabrics and yarn, she had been designing and creating her wardrobe (and later for her husband and children) all her life. So, here is what she had installed in me, as I started designing and sewing my wardrobe since 14.

If you ‘d like to look taller and slimer, use our number one sense- VISUAL- creating a healthy illusion! Yes, you heard me right – illusion!

What clothes and styles do I need to choose to look balanced and leaner look?

1. Color.

Does color effect on a slimmer look?

Yes, it has the most powerful effect!

Darker colors, especially black, navy, dark grey and a solid (monochromatic) color, will make you look taller and slimmer, bringing attention to your face, eyes, smile and hands. Fabulous, right?

1. Monochromatic Outfits: Dressing in a single color from head to toe elongates the body and avoids visual breaks.

2. Vertical Color Blocking: Use vertical lines of color to draw the eye up and down, creating a lengthening effect.

3. Avoid High Contrast: Opt for low contrast combinations to maintain a unified, elongated look.

2. Length of Clothing

Hip-Length Tops: Tops that end at the hip or slightly below create a balanced look. They avoid cutting off at the widest part of the hips, which helps elongate the torso and provides a smoother silhouette.

1. Tunic Length: Longer tops that cover the hips and fall to mid-thigh can elongate the body, especially when paired with slim-fitting bottoms. This length can create a streamlined look without adding bulk.

2. Waist-Length Tops: Tops that hit at the natural waist can highlight the smallest part of your torso. When paired with high-waisted pants or skirts, they can elongate the legs and create a balanced, proportional look.

3. Cropped Tops: Cropped tops can also be slimming if paired correctly. When worn with high-waisted bottoms, they can create an illusion of longer legs and a more defined waistline.

Here is an example from our Etsy shop of a larger size tshirt that does not have bulkiness effect.

3. V-Neck Styles

V-neck apparel elongates your look by creating a visual line that draws the eye downward. Here’s how it works:

1. Vertical Line: The V-shape naturally forms a vertical line that guides the eye from the shoulders down to the chest, creating the illusion of a longer torso and neck.

2. Exposed Neckline: A V-neck exposes more of the neck and upper chest, making the neck appear longer and more slender.

3. Balanced Proportions: By breaking up the expanse of the chest and creating a focal point, a V-neck can balance your proportions and divert attention away from broader areas.

4. Slimming Effect: The angled lines of a V-neck draw attention inward, creating a narrower appearance for the upper body.

4. Smaller prints (smaller flowers verses humongous ones).

Does the size of the print effect how I look?

Yes, it does!

Opt for Small, Subtle Patterns: Choose small and understated prints to avoid drawing too much attention to any specific area.

1. Vertical Placement: Look for prints arranged vertically to help elongate your silhouette.

2. Balance with Solid Colors: Pair small print tops with solid bottoms (or vice versa) to avoid overwhelming your figure.

3. Fit and Cut: Ensure that clothing with small prints is well-fitted and tailored to your body for a streamlined look.

5. Vertical lines

Vertical lines draw the eye up and down, creating an illusion of height. This elongates the body and makes the wearer appear taller and slimmer.

1. Streamlined Silhouette: Vertical lines help to create a continuous visual flow, which can smooth out the body’s contours and give a more streamlined appearance.

2. Minimizes Width: Unlike horizontal lines that can emphasize width and make areas look broader, vertical lines do not break the line of sight horizontally, thus reducing the appearance of width.

3. Balanced Proportions: Vertical lines can help balance proportions, particularly for those with wider hips or shoulders, by evenly distributing the visual weight.

4. Versatility: Vertical lines can be incorporated into various types of clothing, such as dresses, pants, blouses, and jackets, making it easy to apply this slimming technique to different outfits.

Can I use Jewelry to look slimmer? Yes.

6. Jewelry

Using jewelry to elongate your look can be a stylish and effective way to enhance your overall appearance.

V-shaped necklace to elongate!

1. Long Necklaces: Wear long necklaces that fall below the chest. This creates a vertical line, drawing the eye up and down and giving the illusion of a longer torso.

2. Pendant Necklaces: Opt for necklaces with pendants or focal points that hang low. These pieces create a focal point that guides the eye downwards, contributing to a lengthened appearance.

3. Drop Earrings: Choose long, dangling earrings instead of studs or hoops. Drop earrings extend the line of the neck and create a visual impression of elongation.

4. Layered Necklaces: Layer multiple necklaces of varying lengths. This layered effect can create depth and draw attention vertically, enhancing the overall elongating effect.

5. V-Shaped Necklaces (Pictured): Necklaces that form a V-shape help direct the eye downwards, making your neck and upper body appear longer.

6. Delicate and Slim Pieces: Choose thin, delicate jewelry pieces rather than chunky or wide ones. Slim jewelry can add to the sleekness and vertical lines without adding bulk.

7. Avoid Chokers: Chokers or short necklaces can cut off the neck area and make it look shorter. If you prefer chokers, choose ones with a pendant that hangs down to maintain some verticality.

TRY TO AVOID:

1.        Bold large flowers and geometric patterns.

2.        Bright colors such as yellow, red and orange.

Now, as you know the very basics- own it and celebrate - THE NEW CONFIDENT & BEAUTIFUL YOU!

Summer 2024, me, getting closer to the age of 64.

The tricks here are: longer dress, light colors and flowy fabrics, V-neck jewelry from India.