If we had a magic wand, most of us would whisk away a few pounds. Nature, however, is the boss. She gave us our own unique genetic structure, which determines our physique. So, dieting, although an option, is a slow painful struggle. Although admirable, few of us achieve our ideal weight.
An easier, more palatable solution is "Illusionary Dressing." The eye can be tricked by combining certain textures, lines, colors, and silhouettes. In addition, attention can be diverted to your more flattering features, thereby projecting slimness and length. On the other hand, if done incorrectly, your image can be sabotaged.
It's a known fact that vertical lines cause the eye to go up and down, while horizontal lines make the eye stretch widthwise. When you picture yourself in a vertically striped garment, you clearly see that you appear slimmer than if the same garment had a horizontal stripe. However, did you know that horizontal lines also can be created by a combination of colors, textures and patterns? Visualize a white jacket with black pants and you will see that the body is cut in half. That is why for shorter or heavier people, the illusion of length can be created by a monochromatic color scheme. Visualize a single breasted navy blazer worn with a medium gray skirt. Further stretch the eye upward by adding a bright scarf.
Why single breasted? Because single-breasted buttons stack up on each other, creating a vertical line. Add a scarf and that vertical line extends up to the neck. Remember, the idea is to continually bring your viewer's eye up and down, not across.
