How to Look Five Pounds Thinner in less than five minutes

Not many things can be more frustrating than losing a little bit of weight. However, if you haven't exactly had the time or energy to hit the gym lately (and perhaps have been eating way too many late night Chinese take-out dinners in front of the television), a little bit of creativity and fashion illusion can help you achieve a temporary fix for your body woes. Take 5 pounds off your frame with a few simple tricks.

Instructions

    • 1

      Dress monochromatically. Adorn yourself in a single color from top to bottom. Monochromatic dressing can give your body a more lithe and graceful appearance. Although lighter colors can work, darker tones are usually even more effective, like black, navy blue, brown and deep green.

    • 2

      Use shapewear. Shapewear is an increasingly well-known option for concealing bulges and imperfections of the body. If you want to make your body look sleeker and tighter, wearing shapewear underneath your clothing can go a long way. Some options for shapewear include hosiery, slips, thigh slimmers and waist cinchers.

    • 3

      Improve your posture. Your mother wasn't joking when she told you to always stand up straight. Proper posture is an immediate way to give off the appearance of a thinner physique. When you walk with a hunched back, it makes your stomach look like it is protruding, even when it is not. Stand up as straight as possible and keep your chin up as you walk.

    • 4

      Get some height through your shoes. The shoes you wear can also greatly affect how slim you look. To encourage a thin appearance, sport darker footwear with a slight heel. Stay away from flat shoes if you want to look lean, especially if your calves are part of the problem. Tapered toes on heels can also be beneficial for making the legs look thinner and longer.

    • 5

      Accessorize. Draw the attention away from parts of your physique that are not quite perfect with accessories. For example; if you want the attention away from your large waist, wear dangling earrings to encourage your neck area to stand out, instead. If you have slender wrists, wear bracelets that take the eyes to that part of your body. If you want people to look at your face instead of your upper arms, wear a colorful scarf.

    • 6

      Select appropriate materials. To look thinner, make a point to focus on light fabrics that gently travels alongside your body's shape, such as silk, cotton and cashmere. Stay away from heavy fabrics that may give off a bulky appearance, such as leather and flannel.

    • 7

      Wear vertical stripes. If you appreciate stripes, go for vertical stripes rather than horizontal ones. Horizontal stripes can emphasize the width of your body, while vertical ones work in the opposite way. Vertical stripes also can make your body look significantly taller.

    • 8

      Conceal problem areas. If you need to lose a little bit of excess weight from your rear area, wear a long jacket or top. The jacket or top should go down further than your hips.