7 Ways to Not Look Fat in a Swimsuit

• Buy bigger. A common mistake is to go too small, especially with bikini or tankini bottoms. (Don't be distressed if you need a larger suit—swimwear often runs a size or two smaller than streetwear.)
  
  
• Brighten up gradually. Although dark-skinned women can wear bold colors right away, paler types should start summer with a neutral like mocha or chocolate (less stark than black), working up to juicier shades as they get some sun.
  
  
• Accentuate the positive. Put color and pattern where you want attention, dark solids where you don't.
  
  
• Know your body. Each figure type imposes its own limits. Some helpful innovations: bikini tops with fixed cups (like a T-shirt bra for the beach) to support larger breasts, one-pieces with cutaway backs—they cover the stomach but look like sexy two-pieces from behind.
  
  
• Psych up for trying on. Shop in the morning, on a relatively empty stomach; avoid bloat-prone days. Self-tanning beforehand makes women feel more confident, Borish says—and arms and legs look slimmer.
  
  
• Don't rush. Block out a few hours for shopping, and try on at least ten suits. If the changing room doesn't have a three-way mirror, leave.
  
  
• Explore online options. Make sure the website has free returns so you can order several suits and sizes without risk—essentially, your home becomes your try-on room. O, The Oprah Magazine | June 15, 2006 advice from Lauren Borish, senior buyer for FigLeaves.com, a lingerie and swimsuit website

Timeless Wardrobe Picks

Invest in Classics and they'll see you thru the years! With choices like these you can't go wrong - add your own style trends of the moment to update from year to year (or decade to decade)!

1. A little black dress made forever popular by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. You don't need a Givenchy, just one that fits well and suits your own figure! Dress it down for day, glam it up for evening!

2. A neutral shoe sounds simpler than it may be to find in some seasons. I'm referring to a leather shoe in your own skin color (not beige or tan) which will visually extend the line of your leg. Any vertical line extended helps slim you!

3. A touch of animal print can be fun without overbearing when done in a bag or a shoe. I have a purse of my grandmother's from the 40's and a pair of heels from the 80's which are perfect to use today with neutrals or contrasting prints.

4. A pencil skirt can be sexy without revealing and appropriate at any age. If you have a boyish shape, it gives the impression of curves; if you're curvy, it plays up your figure; and it's more flattering to a plus size than a full skirt.

5. A blazer, "borrowed from the boys" oversized or feminine-fitted and shapely, is a staple that can extend your wardrobe options and carry you from morning to night!

Amazing Body-Shaping Jeans

FORWARD-SHIFTED SIDE SEAMS

The vertical seams on these bootcuts are repositioned to give the impression of a longer, narrower line.

Calvin Klein Jeans Shape, $70;CalvinKleinJeans.com

SUPER-HOLD TUMMY PANEL

From one of my favorite figure-flattering brands: The perfect Spandex-denim blend takes off ten pounds.

Miraclebody by Miraclesuit, $110, Nordstrom

BUILT-IN SHAPEWEAR

These incorporate a power-mesh panty that smooths the stomach while lifting and molding your butt. Though white, the thick fabric conceals flaws.

$59; ShapeFX.com

COVERAGE FOR PETITES

Short, plus-size women can find affordable, great fitting pairs from Just My Size. This pair offers width and fullness, as well as its signature tummy control panel, and comes in a shorter length.

"The Short," $18; Walmart.com

Spring Trends to Avoid - What to Wear Instead

TREND: Innerwear as Outerwear

"This spring, several designers returned to corsetry, lace and boning—it was a huge trend," says Adam. "I believe in the 9 to 5 girl—how do I say this—not the 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. girl."

HERE TO STAY: SMART LAYERING
Fortunately, says Adam, there's a tasteful way to adapt this trend. (Which is great, because most of us can't pull off Victorian madam, circa 1885, or Madonna, circa 1985.) For a hint of lace, he suggests wearing a pretty camisole under a cardigan or jacket (instead of reaching for your standby cotton T-shirt). Or you might save the pretty corsets and delicate, transparent lace pieces for the bedroom. "The lingerie companies are going to be very inspired by the runway looks, so if you run to Victoria's Secret, you'll find lots of pretty bra-and-panty sets now."

TREND: High-Waisted, Pleated Pants

Although this looked terrific on the runway, Adam is not usually a fan of pleats in the real world. Why? "They're the quickest way to add pounds to your body," he says. "No one needs excess fabric around their waist or belly."

HERE TO STAY: LOOSE TROUSERS
The past few years have seen a lot of extremely low-rise and incredibly tight styles, so Adam understands why women might be tempted by trousers that offer more coverage. But instead of going for a high-waisted style, he recommends a classic shape in this spring's flowy, softer materials. These pants, like the Etro style, right, have more room through the thighs. If you really want to try the pleat trend, he says, "avoid the typical box-pleats and look for inverted styles." These are sewn down—think catholic schoolgirl kilts or cheerleader skirts—and are typically more flattering. (If you have a short torso, any pleat is going to make you look shorter, so this trend may be one you skip entirely.)

TREND: Kooky Footwear

"The styles designers featured this season were eye-catching, true...;," says Adam, "but I think they're way too much of a conversation piece for most women's lives. Also, some of the clunkier styles can make a person look like Fred Flintstone.

HERE TO STAY: PLATFORMS AND WEDGES
"The covered platform is very fashionable and surprisingly wearable," says Adam. He likes shoes that mix textures and fabrics—like this Ralph Lauren espadrille wedge with delicate blue straps. These less-radical but still charming, chic styles will freshen up any neutral—a khaki skirt, a pair of white jeans—already in your closet.

Adam Glassman's crib sheet on which trends won't do you any favors—and which ones have the potential to become classics

Spring Trends to Avoid & What to Wear Instead

TREND: All-Over Demin

You don't want to wear denim on top and bottom, Adam says. (As shown here.) "You also want to avoid anything that's bedazzled, shredded, studded—basically, anything that smacks of Pat Benetar in 1984."

HERE TO STAY: ONE KEY DENIM PIECE
Dark wash jeans, skirts and jackets are always chic, but this season there are more varieties to play with: vests, button-down shirts and countless different styles of dresses. "Just remember, a little denim goes a long way."

TREND: Thigh-Baring Minis

Unless you're built like Gisele Bundchen, Adam says, beware anything that is super-short—including shorts.

HERE TO STAY: AN ALWAYS-FLATTERING PENCIL SKIRT
Just above the knee, it gives a hint of sexiness without being as obvious as a mini. It's also more age and work appropriate for those of us with office jobs. If you're desperate to try the shorts look, choose a longer style than what's waltzing down the runways.

Great jeans under $50

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is a daunting task. Finding the perfect pair of jeans for the perfect price? Even harder. Adam Glassman, creative director of O, The Oprah Magazine, has scoured the fashion world to find a budget-conscious jean on which he can put his fashion stamp of approval.

"I'm always looking for great jeans under $100," he says. "Guess what? I found a pair of jeans under $50. They're totally incredibly, they're only $42, and they're by Lee Jeans." Adam says Lee has the three styles that look best on women with real curves: trouser cut, boot cut and straight leg.

DOES THIS MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG? HOW TO BALANCE YOUR BOTTOM LINE

Inspired by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, focus in the mid 90’s into the first part of the 21st century was on the buttocks. Styles designed to showcase the derriere created booty mania and it seemed no one noticed how much girth was created by such “hot” new looks. Interestingly, it was the same at the turn of the last century. The difference being that women used corsets and bustles. Today we use pocketdetail, fading, tapered styling and low slung hip belts to increase focus and size.

Though some find it difficult to believe, many women desire a boost to their booty. If you want to enlarge or draw attention to your hips and buttocks remember these handy “Christopher Quotes”:

• The tighter the taper the bigger the butt.
• Hip huggers help build hefty hips.
• Bias cut equals bigger butt.
• Wherever a pocket, so too our eyes.
• Fade on your fanny gives sprawl to your seat.
• Bling on your butt puts junk in your trunk.
  

Booty Booster Bottoms

• Bias cut
• Tulip or pegged
• Tapered
• Hip huggers
• Yoked
• Cropped
  

Remember: The smaller you make your top, the bigger you make your bottom. Choose dark colors that fit closely on your upper half if you wish to make your bottom bigger.


The simplest way to minimize your bottom is to maximize your top. Style lines that broaden the shoulder and upper body will help balance the hips.