Being overweight doesn't mean you can't look fabulous! All it takes is a little know-how and a healthy dose of confidence. Looking good is not about the number on your clothing tags, but about dressing yourself in a way that makes you feel comfortable and shows off your features. It's time to use fashion to make the most of your curves. 1 Know the basics of how to accentuate or hide certain areas of your body. The colors, cut and patterns you wear can draw people's eyes toward or away from your figure. Here are some basics: Dark colors hide, while light colors highlight. So if you like your waist, wear a light belt over a dark shirt. If you want to hide your bottom half, wear dark pants and a lighter top. Big patterns will make you look bigger, while small patterns can make you look smaller. Avoid horizontal stripes. Stripes are okay on plus size clothing if they are diagonal or vertical. If you want to look larger in the bust area, horizontal stripes will enhance the bustline. Don't put ruffles on anything you want to look smaller; do put them on areas you want to emphasize. This means that anyone looking at you will be attracted to the area of emphasis Wear ruched or gathered fabric on areas you want to make look smaller. For instance, you might see a one-piece swimsuit with ruched panels over the belly. Know what colors look good on you. A flattering color can make your skin tone glow, while the wrong one can make you look sallow and washed-out. Wear something that is baggy like a blouse and this ensures that it's both stylish and dressed well. Wear well-fitting undergarments. It's true that your underclothes are the foundation of your look - it's hard to look good when you're wearing flimsy underwear that doesn't support you sufficiently. Buy a bra that fits (women). Not only will a good bra help lift your figure and make you look younger, it'll help you avoid backaches. If you're not sure what your size is, visit a department store such as Nordstrom or Dillard's (US) for a fitting. Do not go to Victoria's Secret - chances are you'll need an uncommon size, and they carry a narrow range of sizes. To lose a bit of girth around your hips and thighs, wear low-legged, high-waisted underwear in a firm, supportive cotton. Make sure you have sufficient coverage. Underwear that's too small is not underwear you should buy. If you can't find the right size at your mall or local stores, look online. 3 Find fits and textiles that will flatter your bottom half. If you tend to carry your weight in your hips and legs (that is, you're "pear-shaped"), pay extra attention to these tips: Seek out tailored skirts and trousers. Avoid flared pants and wide-leg trousers. Avoid shapeless garments, like broomstick skirts and "one-size" dresses.

Instead, find something with a nipped waist. If you're looking for a skirt, you can't go wrong with an A-line cut. Avoid pencil skirts as this shapes and outlines your hips and waist. However, skirts such as skater skirts would really bring out the beauty in every individual . Buy at least one pair of well-fitting jeans. Skinny or straight-leg jeans in a dark wash look great. Be very careful with leggings. For some women, a long shirt or dress with leggings is a slimming and fashionable look. However, if you have larger hips, thighs, or bottom, it can look awful. Dress to flatter your top half. Depending on your body type, this could be the difficult or easy part. If you tend to carry your weight around your stomach and shoulders (or you're "apple-shaped"), these tips can help: Choose shaped T-shirts and dresses over "straight T" shirts and un-tailored dresses. They should be fitted closely to your natural waist and shoulders. For men, wear tailored shirts. Pay extra attention to making sure the neck and wrists are fitted. For women, skip spaghetti-strap or halter tops. You'll want your shirt to cover your bra straps, and they might be wide. Wear full-length cardigans and jackets - don't opt for cropped lengths. If you like your forearms, wear a three-quarters sleeve. If you dislike your arms, wear full sleeves or short sleeves - breaking up your arms in the middle with a sleeve will look even more unflattering. If you're wearing skinny jeans or leggings, try a tunic-style top that's a bit flowing. Wearing a top that's not fitting is fine as long as your bottom half looks tailored and well-fitted. Button-down shirts must fit properly across the bust and stomach. That means there's no pulling of the fabric at the button. If it does, the shirt does not fit. 5 Accessorize and match! Beautiful and unusual accessories not only make your wardrobe more versatile, but are blind to weight gains or losses. Larger women can pull off large, bold jewelry that would overwhelm smaller-framed women. Teeny earrings and pendants may get lost on you, however. A big handbag bag can help make you look smaller, as it does not look tiny next to you. Two or three chunky bangles will make a plump wrist appear slender. Wearing long dangly earrings elongates the neck. Good boots, such as "equestrian-style" boots can cause the illusion of a slender calf. A good pair of boots makes wearing a skirts or pants a positive joy. If you have heavy legs and ankles, avoid delicate or flimsy footwear; it will make it look as if you are about to fall over, or sink into the floor. A wedge heel, on the other hand, looks marvellous, however stout your legs are. Last but not the least, be confident in how you look- you are you for a reason and no one can take that away from you.