This one’s for you Kathleen.

Kathleen – one of my co-workers – recently wrote in the mother of all blogs about a misguided fellow who in thought it might actually be OK to guess a woman’s weight.

We all have our body issues. Everyone has had at least one fat day, one really bad hair cut or has worn that outfit that fits wrong in all the wrong places. I’m no exception – gaining 30 pounds in one summer looks flattering on no one (unless your Kate Moss) and the rat tail was never in style even at 6 years old.

The thing is we get over those days, and hopefully, we learn from those mistakes. If you know how to dress to highlight your assets and disguise your flaws, you have fewer of those days.

Here’s a few tips of looking slimmer using “the Lucky shopping manual,” which every girl should have a copy of, as a guide.

Do

• To instantly look taller and leaner, make sure to choose pants and jeans with a slightly longer cut. They should just about touch the floor if you are in flats (if you’re short like me, they may drag slightly or you can take them to a tailor to shorten them slightly). This creates a longer line, especially if you are in heels. Remember, a girl who’s 5’6” and 140 pounds is going to look thinner than a girl who’s 5’4” and 140 pounds even if that height is false.
• To minimize your butt size, avoid pants with small pockets on the back side, which will make your butt look bigger in comparison.
• To hide larger thighs, choose pants that fit in the waist and hips and flare out from that point.

Don’t

• If you’re short, avoid cuffs at the bottom of your pants.
• Avoid jeans that are too tight at the waist creating what is known as the muffin top. And don’t think just because you’re thin this can’t happen to you. It can.
• And lastly, whatever you do, DO NOT WEAR MOM JEANS! They are not flattering and will never be in style – unless by some fluke the flat butt, huge hip and thigh look suddenly comes into style.

Do

• To disguise a wider midsection in shirts, try a top that has a built in tapered waist. Think drop-waist type styles with a fitted part around the bottom of your waist and free flowing above the band. T-Shirts with a longer cut that scrunch around the hips are also flattering. Try one like this.
• To help conceal love handles choose shirts that are fitted in the shoulders and under arms but have a thicker fabric that flows slightly away from the body. You should choose the same style for sweaters and hoodies. Another option is a bat-wing top. Again make sure it’s fitted in the shoulders so you don’t get lost in all the fabric.
• Cap sleeves or longer sleeves that are flared at the wrist can help arms look slimmer.

Don’t

• Although empire waists seem like a good idea, you run the risk of looking pregnant and should probably avoid them.
• Shirts in tight fabrics that tend to bunch will only ride up and highlight the extra pounds.

Now that you have this shopping wisdom, hit the stores and make sure to try items on for the best fit. JC Penny is having a big sale this weekend with a two-day preview for preferred customers on Thursday and Friday. Happy hunting.