Choose darker colors as the basis of your wardrobe, such as navy, black, charcoal grey, olive green, chocolate brown.

Use undergarment foundations, from all-in-one shapers to control-top pantyhose.

Focus on playing up your best features – for example, showing off shapely legs with a knee-length skirt.

Choose fabrics that don’t cling, whilst avoiding stiff or bulky textures.

Use accessories to draw attention to your face, such as scarves, earrings, etc.

Avoid anything too tight or clingy.

Make sure you scale your accessories – from your handbag to your earrings – to suit your size.

Add small subtle shoulder pads to sweaters and other knit tops to make them hang better.

Design clean-lined clothing without big embellishment or buttons.

Prints should be scaled to your body – for example, no large prints if you are a fuller figure. In general, it’s the space between prints that makes them unflattering, so look for prints that have overlapping images.

Don’t shy away from sleeveless garments, especially with evening wear when you can cover up with a shawl, sheer top or a jacket instead.

Don’t think that baggy clothes make you look slimmer. Body-conscious clothes that hint at your curves – without being clingy or tight – are the most flattering.

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

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

Hip-heavy triangle and round full-figured women can use clothes with vertical lines to create 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, whereas too-large shoulder pads will make full-figured women look like football players. Wear long tops that go past your hips. Choose jackets, tailored suits and shirtwaist dresses with straight, classic cuts. Lighter colours on top can be worn, as this brings others’ eyes up and away from the larger parts. 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 colour clothes you are wearing, including shoes. This gives your body an unbroken slimmer look. Avoid very wide pinafore skirts. Stay with straight or A-line skirts.

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 or light colours on top. Tops with dolman or raglan sleeves that fit loose and slim down to hug the hips and waist are good. Wear pants or skirts that are pleated to bring the eye down. Choose thin materials such as cotton, or cotton jersey. One-color dressing will also be thinning. Flat shoes are best unless you are short, in which case try to wear heels. If your legs are in good shape, shorter hem lengths will draw attention away from your top.

The rectangular type can accentuate curves by wearing jackets or tops that hug the waist, and 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 subtle shoulder pads.

High collars shorten necks.

Tight tops with short sleeves and breast pockets distract from your figure. Shoes with straps shorten 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, florals, prints, and plaids can assist in creating an illusion.

Thicker vertical lines in plaids lengthen and slim.

Wear a larger print where you want people to look, and a 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 otherwise go unnoticed in a skirt.