Cosmina Englizian Couture

Instead of concentrating on the parts of your body that you want to hide, focus and flaunt your positive points – sexy ankles, pretty toes, great lips, silky shoulders – everyone has something.

Avoid stiff and heavy fabrics or anything too clingy such as thin jersey or lycra that will show off all the bits you want to hide. Opt instead for lightweight fabrics such as tulle or silk that skim your curves rather than stick to them.

Choose a dress with a deeper v-neck than you normally wear as this will make your waist seem thinner. It’s an optical illusion because it make s your shoulders look broader, going to a thin point just above your waist.

Avoid wearing belts around your waist if your problem area is your tummy. Loose styles are ideal to detract the eye from pot-bellies.

If you are not confident about your legs, choose the length of your dress carefully. Dresses that fall just above the knee can make you look stumpy. Mid-thigh or just-below-the knee lengths are much better bets as they emphasize slim calves.

Short sleeves hide flabby upper arms while showing off the more flattering wrist section. Emphasize slim wrists with pretty delicate jewellery.

Body-slimming garments such as control pants and corsets might seem old-fashioned, but they are perfect when you need an instant sleeker, more structured body shape under dresses or skirts.

While it’s true that wearing dark colours make you look slimmer, you don’t always have to restrict yourself to black. Navy, green charcoal, dark grey all have the same flattering effect and are less harsh on paler skin tones.

Small patterns can make larder shapes look smaller, while the smaller you are, the larger the pattern you can carry off.

Wearing A-line dresses that flow from waist with fitted tops draw attention upwards and make a large bottom look half appear smaller.