5 surprising style tips for slimming your figure

Using colour and a little strategy, you can easily create the illusion of a slimmer, sleeker silhouette.

Avoid: Cropped sweaters and low rise pants that will expose your love handles every time you raise a hand.

Commit to: Tops that are lightweight and longer, and then layer them with a jacket that falls just below the heaviest part of your hips. Tailor your jeans or trousers for a proper fit. And yes, you can wear a skinny jean, but they should be paired with a long, flowing top and a tall boot of a similar colour for a polished and trendy look.

Accentuate with: A long necklace or a shi-shi scarf and high heels.

Avoid: Tops that are too tight or too baggy. Nothing will make you look bigger than ill-fitting clothes. To give the impression of a slim figure, you need to balance your proportions.

Commit to: Clothes that are just the right fit, especially where you have curves. Taking your clothes in to your local tailor or dry cleaner for a slight alteration will make a big impact.

Exception to the rule: A straight tunic paired with a belt (not too thin) is very slimming. A wide belt over a tunic accentuates your waist and flatters your curves. Complete the look with a high heel to enhance the effect.

Balance with: When wearing a flowing trouser or skirt, balance it with a tighter fitting top, and vice versa.

Avoid: Palazzo trousers and low-rise pants, overwhelming patterns, turtlenecks and short sleeves. If you want to look taller, avoid drawing attention to the limbs.

Commit to: V-necks and crossover necklines, empire waistlines, and diagonal patterns. Long sleeves and three-quarter length sleeves are the most slimming.

Avoid: Wool, velvet and layering thick fabrics, which will invariably make you look several pounds heavier.

Commit to: Natural and lightweight fibres, especially cotton. You want materials that are fluid and move freely.

Warning: Shimmering and sparkling fabrics are not your friend. No matter how on-trend they are at any given moment, strategic patterns and subtle prints will make you look slimmer.

Avoid: Wearing too much white and cream colour if you have a round figure. Although, if worn strategically, white can contrast a dark colour in order to minimize or highlight different parts of the body.

Commit to: Matte, dark and monochromatic colours that help make pounds "disappear" (belly, buttocks, arms, hips). To accentuate this effect, pair dark colours with a bold hue and draw attention to your best features.