It’s January, and many of us have indulged a bit over the holiday season!

Therefore…

Here are some of my favorite tips to look ten pounds lighter, just by getting dressed, from How to Win at Shopping:

-While a straight skirt can be slimming, the effect can go awry if the bottom hem abruptly stops without tapering back to the leg, creating an unflattering horizontal line. If a straight skirt or dress hangs like a lampshade, consider a trip to the tailor.

-When fitting a jacket, consider narrowing the sleeves to separate the arms from the torso. This will create a more streamlined silhouette.

-Avoid wearing fabrics with sheen on the parts of the body you would like to de-emphasize. Sheen will make those areas appear larger. Instead, think of such fabrics as a fantastic way to illuminate the smaller parts of your body and balance the head-to-toe look.

-Showing a bit more skin can be a great idea. When it comes to fabric on the body, less fabric is more slimming.

-When shopping for separates, avoid high-contrast tops and bottoms that chop the body up. Instead, look for low-contrast or monochromatic combinations.

-The higher the heel, the leaner the look, so consider shopping shoes two-and-a-half inches or higher. Also consider the fact that a skinny spike won’t balance the proportion of a fuller calf or ankle, so reach for a thicker, shapelier heel instead.

-The best go-to slimming piece is a figure-flattering dress in a dark neutral. If you find one in the perfect style, color, and fabric, don’t hesitate to spend a bit more on it. You will feel so good in it that the amount of use will justify the purchase.