How to Look Thinner in Photographs

Last Updated: June 23, 2021 References

Many people are surprised that they sometimes look heavier in photographs than they do in real life. You can easily appear thinner in photographs by carefully choosing slimming outfits to wear when you get your picture taken. Or, you can look slimmer in pictures by posing certain ways or by utilizing camera tricks.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Dressing Thinner

1
Mix baggier clothes with snugger ones to make a proportioned outfit. If you’re wearing wide-cut pants, pair them with a snug top. Or, wear a shorter skirt with a looser top tucked in. Wearing all tight clothes can highlight areas you may not want to draw attention to, while all baggy clothes can make you look fuller everywhere.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you’re trying to draw attention away from a certain area, wear looser clothes on that area.
2
Try a long cardigan or suit jacket to lengthen your torso.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.} Cardigans and suit jackets that go past your hips create an illusion of a longer, leaner overall stature. Wear one of any color or pattern over a dark solid colored dress, blouse and skirt combo, or dress shirt and pants outfit.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Wear a belt to accentuate an hourglass shape.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.} If your waist is the narrowest part of your torso, a belt will accentuate its slimness. Make sure the belt is in proportion with your overall stature—if you're taller, choose a wider belt, or wear a more narrow belt if you're shorter.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Wide belts are great additions to dresses, blouse and skirt combos, dress shirts with pants, or any outfit combination.
4
Wear flat-fronted, straight-leg pants to lengthen your leg line. Try to avoid pants that are pleated in the front, because they tend to add bulk to your waist area. Pants that fall straight from your hips will create the illusion of a longer, leaner leg.slightly stretchy, flat-fronted, flared pants to flatter your curves. Try to avoid pants that are pleated in the front, because they tend to add bulk to your waist area.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Choose pants in a dark shade, such as black, grey, or navy, for the most slimming effect.
5
Choose solid dark colors or vertical stripes to look slimmer overall.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.} No matter what type of clothes you wear, choosing solid dark shades is always a good choice for looking thinner. And if you like patterns, vertical stripes are your best bet for looking slimmer. Other patterns can be okay too, as long as they are in darker colors and the print is low-contrast and in proportion with your overall size.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.}
- Avoid all-over wide horizontal stripes, as they tend to make people look wider.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Striking a Flattering Pose

1
Angle your body instead of standing sideways. While facing the camera completely straightforward shows your widest view, turning completely sideways can highlight your stomach. Instead, stand facing the camera and put all your weight on 1 leg. Push the hip of that leg back as far as you can, and let the other leg hang loose in front of you and bent at the knee.
- Push the shoulder of the same side that your weight is on back as well, and let the shoulder on the side of the front leg come forward and down a bit.
2
Don’t press your arms close to your body. Pressing your arms to your sides can visually add some extra bulk to them. Instead, let them hang loose and limp.^{[9]
X
Research source}
3
Put your hands on your hips. To help your arms not be pressed into your sides, it’s a good idea to put your hands on your hips. Or, if you have pockets, try putting your hands in your pockets to move your arms away from your sides.^{[10]
X
Research source}
4
Tuck one side of your body behind someone in group shots. If you’re in a photo with a group, use other people to your advantage! Angle your body so that one side is behind someone else to instantly appear thinner.
- For really large groups with multiple rows, don’t stand in the front row if you’re concerned about looking thin. Stand in the middle or back rows, even if you’re not tall.
5
Sit with your shoulders back and don’t slouch. In photos where you’re sitting, you should be sure not to slouch to avoid showcasing your belly area. Keep your shoulders up and back, and your back straight. You can even try taking a deep breath to make sure your chest is up as much as possible.
6
Cross your ankles if you’re sitting. Another trick for sitting photos is to cross your ankles instead of your entire leg. Crossing your legs at the knees can highlight bigger thighs, especially if you’re wearing a skirt.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- You can also not cross any part of your legs while you’re sitting for a photo.
- Always be sure to sit up straight for photos where you’re sitting.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Making Your Face Look Thinner

1
Hold your chin up and out. Avoid looking like you have a double chin by keeping your head held high. Stick your chin out to make your neck look a bit longer.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Practice holding your chin up and out in the mirror to see how the position looks best on you.
2
Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth while you’re smiling. Sometimes smiling in photos can cause your eyes to squint and your cheeks to look chubbier. A good way to avoid this is to stick your tongue to the roof of your mouth while you smile.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Your smile won’t be as broad as it may normally be, but it will still look like a nice smile in the photo.
- Practice this smile in the mirror so you can see how it looks. You can adjust your technique by placing your tongue in a different part of the roof of your mouth if you think it looks too forced.
3
Keep some volume to your hair. If you wear your hair up, try a loose updo instead of a bun or slicked back ponytail. For down hairstyles, try adding waves or curls to draw attention to balance your face, or add some lift to straight hair by using volumizing powder at your roots.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Hair with volume adds balance to the shape of your head and your face. Men can add volume by styling their hair in a pompadour or by adding volumizing powder at their roots.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Camera Tricks

1
Hold the camera above your eye level. When taking selfies, never hold the camera below your eyes. This angle is the least flattering and makes your face look larger than it really is. If you’re having your picture taken, have the photographer hold the camera high. The best angle for all photos is one that’s slightly above your eye level.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- You should never be looking down at the camera when having your picture taken or taking a selfie, to get the best angle.
2
Avoid direct sunlight for outdoor photos. The sun can cause you to squint when you’re taking pictures outside, which in turn makes your cheeks and jawline look wider. For outdoor pictures, try going out in the early evening to avoid the brightest light of the day.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- If you must take pictures during the brightest parts of the day, try standing with your back to the sun so you won’t squint as much.
3
Use a dark filter. Most smartphones and digital cameras have filters that allow you to change the brightness or contrast of your pictures. Experiment with filters that darken or bronze the images to see which ones are the most flattering for you.^{[17]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

How do I look flattering in photos?

Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
Natalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. With more than 10 years of experience, Natalie specializes in personal styling to reflect clients’ individuality, confidence, and comfort. In 2019, she was named the Global Head of Styling for Bloomberg Television. Natalie is certified in Image Consulting through the Fashion Institute of Technology. She regularly shares her expertise with corporate groups at major financial institutions, media companies, and news outlets including: Time Out New York, Refinery 29, and NBC News.

Natalie Tincher

Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Try V-neck shirts. V-neck T-shirts visually lengthen you and show off your collarbones.
Question

How do I look thinner in pictures?

Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
Natalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. With more than 10 years of experience, Natalie specializes in personal styling to reflect clients’ individuality, confidence, and comfort. In 2019, she was named the Global Head of Styling for Bloomberg Television. Natalie is certified in Image Consulting through the Fashion Institute of Technology. She regularly shares her expertise with corporate groups at major financial institutions, media companies, and news outlets including: Time Out New York, Refinery 29, and NBC News.

Natalie Tincher

Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

I recommend wearing solid colors to help you appear taller and leaner. You could also wear a belted dress or wrap dress to accentuate your waist. Above all, avoid boxy and bulky clothing that will make you look bigger.
Question

Why lie about how you really look?

Community Answer

It's not necessarily changing how you look. It's just about feeling good about yourself and emphasizing the best parts of you.