What if I told you its possible to look a few inches taller and a few pounds thinner almost instantly? No, this isn’t another fad diet! With a few clever tweaks of your existing wardrobe, you really can cheat your way into a leaner, meaner look! You won’t want to miss these tips:

The Science of Stripes

Stripes look perfect for effortless summer cool, and are on-trend this season.

Meet my lovely smiley models in their lovely nautical blue stripes. Aren’t they simply show-stopping?! They were created to show you how your choice of stripes can make you look longer and leaner.

It’s all an optical illusion you see!

However, this does not mean you have to chuck out all your horizontal stripes. Just bear these tips in mind when choosing yours:

A striped number I’ve got my eyes on this season is this gorgeous shirt from Bershka. I can see it being worn in a multiple number of ways:

Reevaluate Your Shoe Shopping

Sure, a pair of killer heels will make you stand taller in the crowd but there’s more to the science behind shoe shopping than the actual height of those heels.

Pencil is Primo: Although I personally detest wearing pencil heels (it’s not me, its my poor unnaturally arched up feet that’s talking!), there’s nothing quite as sexy as a pair of dramatically skinny towering heels.

Platforms are In: If your feet detest the hassle of pencil heels, fret not. Platform heels are here to stay! Platforms have to be fashion’s best invention for the vertically challenged as they add height without the need for much balance, and can be worn comfortably all day long.

Make Flats Work: If you are a staunch lover of flats, the below tips apply to you as much as they do for heels:

Less is More: When buying shoes, look for styles with maximum skin exposure. With more skin showing, a visual illusion is created. The legs look magically longer!

Avoid Bulky Strapping: Following on from ‘less is more’, delicate details won’t steal space from skin exposure. Strappy styles are classic for a reason!

Pointy is Perfect: Working on the illusion of longer legs, a pointy pair (be it heeled or flats) adds length to the feet. Aren’t these flats adorable?!

Go Nude: Try finding a nude pair of shoes that come as close as possible to your natural skin tone. This too shall give the illusion of never-ending legs!

A dream pair would be the Christian Louboutin Nude heels. They have sexy slim heels, and even come in a number of shades for a range of skin-tones.

Bag Choices

Strange as it may sound, your choice of bags might be pulling you down, literally!

When shopping for bags, opt for styles that go proportionally well with your size and structure.

If you want to look taller, over-sized totes are not your friend. They look disproportional and add bulk to the overall look.

Color Coding

Black is a must in every wardrobe, and with good reason. Black absorbs light, and hides a multiple of sins. Wear darker colors around your trouble areas.

Or you might want to try going monotone; one color all over gives a uniform look that elongates the body overall. I love this stunning red jumpsuit by Judith Hobby:

Tailored To Fit

Nothing beats well-tailored clothing. Too tight, and you risk the bulge; too loose and you look baggy and out of shape. Choose styles that make you feel comfortable and suit your body shape. Invest in good shape-enhancing underwear. Victoria’s Secret is no longer a secret after all!

Short Shorts (Up the Hemline)

Exposing more leg visually elongates the lower torso.

Tuck It In

Tucking in your short exposes the legs from the waist down elongating the lower torso perfectly.

High Waist Styles

A higher waist not only helps hold in a protruding tummy, but acts as a visual aid in elongating the upper torso.

I’m in love with these slightly flared Koral High Waist Jeans from Farfetch.com Loving how the model has her shirt tucked in with this pair. The vertical line down the front of each leg further accentuates the length of the legs. I want!

Hair Tricks

Trim it Short: A long, shapeless mane will only drag down weight to your overall look. Keep hair off your shoulders with a cute bob or pixie cut. Show off that decolletage. Remember, more skin is a win-win!

Bun is Fun: If you don’t fancy a chop, a messy bun (or a more neatly done one for work or otherwise) instantly adds a visual element of height to your structure. It’s also a great way to keep hair off the shoulders and works well for the hot summer months.