Fake it till you make it...

Too many cupcakes and cocktails over the last few months and not enough running has inspired me to talk about the tricks to dressing yourself thin. A few fashion tricks can easily make you look five to ten pounds smaller and you won't even have to wear Spanx 24-7.
Take a good look at yourself. What are you needing/wanting to minimize? For most of us, it's an unflattering tummy area. There is so much you can do.
First, lock and load. Make sure your bra is holding your girls up at the level they should be. Saggy breasts accent a bulging belly. Get professionally fitted for a bra once a year. You'll be amazed at the improvement. Once your chest is in check, go top shopping.

Choose tops that hit right at the top of your hips or lower. A short top is only going to bring unwanted attention.

Go for tunics, but make sure they are not too billowy. The last thing you need is to be accused of being pregnant! It's happened to me, while I was buying an ice cream cone...it still pains me to think about. Go for loose, but not overtaking.
If you are wearing a loose top, go for a slimmer fit on bottoms.

Wear tops with a v-neck. By making your neckline longer, you look leaner. It also makes your face look thinner.

Bulky necklaces with your v-neck top help draw the eye upward and away from your pooch.

Pick pieces that have ruching (where the material gathers or pleats) around the waist, especially in dresses and one piece swimsuits.

If it's your lower half that needs a little thin dressing, pick dark bootcut denim. It's universally flattering and slims hips.
Avoid denim that is lighter on the thighs. Not good.

And pick pants that have small back pockets. It minimizes your butt.

Pencil skirts that hit right above the knee are great for slimming. If it's too short, it can make your thighs look chunky.

Wanna look taller? Try nude pumps. They instantly add inches to your legs.
Finally, on those days when nothing is gonna make you feel or look skinny, and you don't wanna wrestle into a pair of Spanx on, put on a loose maxi dress and let it all hang loose.
Now pass me another cupcake, I mean carrot....