Layout your clothes before putting them on and check the proportions. Juggle jackets, scarves & belts to re-arrange the clothes to get the look you want.

Thinner fabrics are more slimming. Tops and bottoms of one color will make you look thinner.
Wear clothes that fit.
Wearing too large clothes will exaggerate your figure not hide it.
Avoid belts unless you have a slim waist.
Use accessories carefully.

You can make your wardrobe impressive with mix and match jewelry. Shoes depend less on you body shape than you height. Do not buy clothes on impulse. Plan before you buy a blouse or pants. Be somewhat scientific about shopping, consider your body type, and colors. Ask your self some questions;

Do you have anything you can mix and match with it? Does it match your lifestyle?
Will it be comfortable, nonchalant, and easy to wear?
Is it machine wash or dry clean only? Will it fit your budget? Is it appropriate?
Is it a fad, can it be worn more than one season?
Is it of good quality? Quality counts, it is better to have four or five mix and match out fits of quality, than 8 or 10 'steals.'

Think in terms of outfits when you shop, and be practical. When you buy a new dress, be sure you have shoes and other accessories to go with it. Maybe a jacket or scarf to wear over it to give it a different look.

Clothes Styles and Body Shapes

High collars shortens necks.

Tight tops with short sleeves and breast pocket is detracting from your figure. Shoes with straps shortens your legs. The torso can be shortened or narrowed with seam lines, belts, bows, and collars.

A short necklace can shorten your neck.

A scarf or belt that hangs down toward the legs will make the legs appear longer. Knitted texture, lace, floras, prints, and plaids can assist in creating an illusion. T hicker vertical lines in plaids lengthens and slims.

Wear a larger print where you want people to look and smaller print where you do not want them to look.

An all over print can camouflage figure problems, but prints here and there can create a fuller you.

Prints around the neck and over the shoulder can make your shoulders appear wider. Just wear prints near the parts of your figure's assets, because they are usually more eye catching than a solid color.

When buying pants be sure they fit well. Defects are emphasized in a pair of pants that may go unnoticed in a skirt.

Petite women.

Petite women need to keep clothes in line, slim narrow belts. A slight contrast in colors and fitted lines will flatter you endlessly. Also stay with fabrics that are soft and flowing that fits well. Over powering prints should be avoided.

Tall women.

Tall women can indulge in wide belts, avoid tight clothes and skirts that are to short or to long. Beauty expert Stephanie Faber recommends tall women play down their waist by wearing their blouses over the pants and skirts and avoid tight belts.

Hip heavy triangle woman.

A hip heavy triangle and round full figured women can use clothes with vertical lines to make an up and down illusion. V-necks and skirts with slits up the sides are also good. Clothes with small padded shoulders should be chosen . Too big of pads will make you look like a foot ball player. Wear long tops that go passed your hips. Choose jackets, tailored suits and shirtwaist dresses with straight, classic cuts. Lighter colors on top can be worn, this brings eyes up. Wear dark stockings and avoid patterns. Select vertical, fluid patterns and avoid bulky fabrics. Adopt the just below the knee look in dresses and skirts. Choose accessories close to the same color clothes you are wearing including shoes. This gives your body an unbroken slimmer look. Avoid very wide pinafore skirts. Stay with straight or Aline skirts.

Top heavy woman.

The top heavy body types need to choose long jackets without shoulder pads. Do not wear blouses with fancy details and ruffles. Do not wear clingy fabrics on top, choose darker colors on top. Do not wear tops that are to light. Tops with dolman or raglan sleeves and ones that fit loose and slims down to hug the hips and waist are good. Wear pants or skirts that are pleated to bring the eye down. Choose thin materials like cotton, or cotton jersey. One color dressing will also be thinning. Flat shoes are best unless you are short, then wear heels. If your legs are in good shape shorter hem lengths will draw attention away from your top.

Rectangular type woman.

The rectangular type can accentuate curves by wearing jackets or tops that hug the waist, feminine thick sweaters over skirts or pants. Use patterns in your tops or bottoms to add dimension. Round out the neckline with necklaces, scarves and other accessories, and use shoulder pads.