Instantly Look Skinnier

Reader Question: I adore your blog —  its like a little treasure I stumbled upon! I have a question! I’m going to a bridal shower and want to look fabulous and skinny because I haven’t seen these girls since high school. Do you have any tips for how to make your self look thinner?

Style Me Thrifty: I get it. The idea of seeing old friends (maybe even frenimies?) from high school can be a little intimidating. Do I still look like that fresh-faced 18 year old teenager that will forever be stuck in their heads? Not a chance!

But can I still wow them with how fab I look as a happy, polished, and confident 29 year old? Heckya!

Maybe you’ve put on a few extra lbs. I call that gravity. You’ve also acquired a crap load of confidence in your post high school years. I want THAT self assured woman to attend this bridal shower. Now all you need are Style Me Thrifty’s top 5 tricks for hiding the imperfections!

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1. Show off your best body parts
   Love your arms? Go sleeveless. Legs? Wear a skirt and nude pumps to elongate your legs. Remember, a bridal shower only lasts 3 hours or so. Don’t waste time by wearing something that doesn’t put your best assets on display.
2. Cinch and conceal!
   I love a girly dress at a bridal shower. Pick a universally flattering A-line shaped dress that is fitted at the waist, flares out over the hips, and hits right above the knee. Try adding a belt to accentuate your tiny waist even more.
3. Make friends with patterns
   Opt for a printed fabric to disguise any lumps. Patterns work like camouflage! And let’s face it, sometimes bridal showers can be a little like war. Take no prisoners, rock a pattern.
4. Get a spray tan
   Desperate times call for desperate measures. A healthy glow makes the body seem more toned. I like Mystic but Versa is good, too.
5. Work photos like a supermodel
   Here are 2 tricks for taking flattering photos: (1) minimize hips by not standing exactly straight towards the camera and (2) put your hand your hip so your upper arm isn’t smushed against your body. When your HS friends look back at these shower photos, they’ll reminisce about how thin you looked!

If you’re embarking on a last minute shopathon, here are two dresses that meet my approval.

(Above: Fire Hardware Detailed Strapless Dress – $46 at Nordstrom. Below: BB Dakota Audri Dress – $100 at Zappos)

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You might also like: Top 10 Tips for Looking Fab at Bridal Shower

Go Nude

I do my best thinking during Body Combat class. I realize this sounds a little random, but I like having an uninterrupted hour to be alone with my thoughts… while also beating the snot out of an imaginary opponent.

Some days, I contemplate life’s important questions: maybe about my career path at work or deciding what colors to include in Style Me Thrifty’s new logo (get excited!). And other days, my thoughts turn a bit more superficial, as in: how can I make my legs look longer?

[I know, my brain is a scary place to be!]

But as I jabbed and kicked my way through Body Combat this week, I started thinking about my height (an average 5’4”) and got stuck on the fact that I want the long legs of a 5’10” model! By the time our cool down song came on, I had come up with a simple solution that I wanted to share with everyone.

Go nude.

Nude shoes, that is. Pop on a pair of nude heels and you’re able to instantly create the illusion of longer legs. It’s like magic! Heels that match your skin tone trick the eye into seeing a leg that goes on for days. Instead of cutting off your legs at the ankle (which is what bold colored shoes can do), the eye follows your leg all the way to the ground. That’s exactly the few extra inches I’ve been looking for. The proof is in the picture:

Corso Como Del Beige Patent – $129
Cheaper/lookalike version by Chinese Laundry – $68.95
(Skirt from JCrew outlet)

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Here are a few more nude shoe options, all under $100!

Where to shop (click above photo to enlarge):

1) Aldo Ragonese – $22.49 (GREAT deal!) from Aldo

2) BP Platinum Twirl Sandal – $59.95 from Nordstrom

3) Arturo Chiang Womens Chanps Wedge – $78.99 from Endless

4) R2 Women’s Castine Pump – $50 from Endless

5) Seychelles Women’s Chirp Open-Toe Pump – $89.95 from Amazon

6) Boutique 9 Women’s Karyl Open-Toe Pump – $85.49 from Endless

7) Seychelles Change of Venue – $66.85 from Zappos

8) Report Grover Flat – $62.95 from Zappos (since I know you love flats!)

9) Kelsi Dagger Kaden – $89.10 from Zappos