8 Unexpected Clothing Tricks That Make Your Body Look Better

A celeb stylist shares ALL.

By Liz Ritter, Executive Editor · Nov 7, 2016

Wouldn’t life be so wonderful if we all had access to a personal stylist (and, while we’re dreaming, let’s throw in the request of a full-on glam squad with hair and makeup as well)? The ultimate pipe dream, perhaps, but celeb stylist Kareem James says it doesn’t have to be total rocket science to look better in clothing—some of his super simple, super-transformative tricks involve things you most likely already own.

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Commit and Be Confident

James’s number-one tip is so simple, anyone can do it and—maybe even better—it’s free! “The best way anyone can wear clothes better is simply with confidence. Believe and commit to your outfit. Make it authentic and you, and your clothes will naturally give off your brand of cool.”

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Know Your Bra Shape

A more conventional tip, James says, is instilling a sense of security with things like shape wear, bras and underpinning. “Knowing which bra shape to wear to complement your top or blouse will help the garment look better on your body. You have to try a couple of different options to see how the bust looks with each one. It’s sort of trial and error when it comes to figuring what is right to wear with what, so try options—don’t assume the same old everyday support bra goes with every look or top.”

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Closer Fit = More Flattering

This one might go against everything you know, but James is all about clothing that fits closer to the body. “It’s more flattering, although we all want to hide some of our bits from time to time. One trick to implement this is tucking shirts in strictly—neat is chic.”

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Consider Slim-Fit Jeans

Don’t be scared of this one. “A current trend is slim-fit cropped-denim with an unfinished hem,” James says. “It elongates the leg and accentuates curves, and the unfinished hem adds a fashion sense that’s edgy and cool.”

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Fit-and-Flare Is Forgiving

According to James, fit-and-flare is always a flattering look for women with curves. “I also find pencil skirts to be heaven. They create a lot of shape to the body, while still creating the strictness that a pencil-skirt commands. Sometimes wearing a skirt higher above the waistline, just above the belly button can be extremely forgiving.”

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Invest in Some Solid Shapewear

The same thinking as above applies to your shapewear and underwear. “Sometimes a high-waisted, control-top panty is the perfect undergarment to give the butt the appearance of firmness and existence in some cases; sometimes this can be achieved with a body-suit shapewear.”

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Tech Fabric Is Trending

When it comes to fabric that’s “kind” to the body while hiding flaws, James says stretch fabrics are smart. “Neoprene is a tech fabric that has become a trend. It has both stretch and tightness that holds everything in place, and the smoothness in texture give curves life. It’s also both a fabric that is breathable for warm climates and warming in colder weather.”