Drop a dress size in an instant - with NO diet and NO gruelling exercise: Top Hollywood stylist reveals the clever tricks to dress your curves and flatter every figure

Most of us are not model size - and never have been. Pulling together the look of the moment without being too trendy, pairing garments in the right colours for our skin tone, and adding a pinch of spice to keep things interesting without crossing the line for our size, is often a daunting and frustrating experience. Especially as we get older.

But when it comes to dressing grown up women with curves, I can help. As a fashion stylist I have created everything from red carpet Oscar outfits to looks for top designers and retailers.

I’ve worked with many Hollywood stars, but now I want to help all women get dressed with confidence.

The first step is to identify your body shape, which is determined by genetics, bone structure, and how your muscle and body fat are distributed

Here I reveal the fashion tips and tricks that can transform your look in an instant - whatever your dress size.

The first step is to identify your body shape. Look online and you’ll find a superfluity of body shapes named after everything from fruit (apples, pears) to musical instruments (cello, bell). But these all boil down to five basic shapes - and to dress effectively, you need to determine which one you are. The options are: hourglass, triangle, rectangle, inverted triangle and oval.

Your body shape is determined by genetics, bone structure, and how your muscle and body fat are distributed.

If you lose or gain weight, your body shape generally remains the same. The most common body shape is the rectangle, followed by triangle, inverted triangle, oval and, last, the hourglass.

Stand in front of a mirror wearing only bra and knickers and imagine dots at the shoulders, each side of the waist and hips. Join these together and you should see a geometric shape corresponding to one of the above shapes.

You also need to take your bust measurement (at nipple level, across the fullest part of the breast), your waist measurement (across the navel) and your hip measurement (across the fullest part of the buttocks) and compare the results to see if they form a similar geometric shape to what you saw in the mirror.

The triangle body shape is when the lower portion of the body is larger than the torso. Jennifer Lopez is a famous triangle 

Work those curves in high waist trousers

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Jennifer Lopez can do no wrong in our eyes, the songstress keeps slaying every time she steps out.

She kills it in everything we see her, whether shes sporting gym gear, a body con dress, or a classic trouser and blouse ensemble...she looks stunning in all.

Take a look at her here in a Zuhair Murad Resort 2014 look. We love the sheer blouse with the bead embellishments paired with the high waist trousers and nude gray pumps.

We are obsessed with high waist pants, not only does it emphasize the waist but it's down right sexy!

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Once you have decided which of the five body shapes you have, read the descriptions below to see if they correspond to the category you have decided upon …

STEP 1: WORK OUT YOUR BODY TYPE 

The Hourglass

This is the most balanced body shape: the bust, waist and hips are proportional to one another. Although it is the least common body shape, 36-24-36 is widely held up as the feminine ideal.

Your physical characteristics include a well-defined waist that is approximately 8 in to 12 in smaller than the hip or bust measurement; the bust is the same (or close) in width as the hips.

Famous Hourglass: Marilyn Monroe

The Triangle

The lower portion of the body is much larger than the torso. When seated, a woman with a triangular body shape is often thought to be smaller than she is until she stands up.

Your physical characteristics include large hips, buttocks and thighs.

The shoulders, bust and upper torso measurements are significantly smaller than those of the lower part of the body. You may have sloping shoulders and small breasts but do note, breast size does not dictate body shape.

Famous Triangle: Jennifer Lopez

Meryl Streep has a rectangle body shape. This is considered the most athletic-looking figure, and also the most common body shape among women

Inverted Triangle

The torso is not only much wider than the bottom, but the visual line of the silhouette reaches its broadest point at the shoulders and the full bust-line. Your physical characteristics include a bust measurement that is larger than your waist and hip measurements.

Visually you appear narrower at the hips than the shoulders.

Famous Inverted Triangle: Michelle Obama

The Rectangle

Considered the most athletic-looking figure, and also the most common body shape among women. Your physical characteristics include little waist definition, narrow shoulders and straight hips.

The circumference of the bust, waist and hips are close in measurement, and the waist will generally measure 1 in to 8 in smaller than the bust. Rectangles may have a flat bottom and small breasts but not always.

Famous Rectangle: Meryl Streep

The Oval

Also known as ‘The Apple’ because of the roundness in the stomach area. The most common attributes of the oval body shape are shapely legs and ample cleavage.

Your physical characteristics include a full bosom, narrow hips, small bottom, and a full midsection that is largest in its lower portion.

The waist is the widest part of the frame, measuring larger than the bust and hips and is undefined. Bust and hip measurements are very close in size and shoulders may slope.

Famous Ovals: Melissa McCarthy

Shapewear enhances your body shape, accentuating your good areas and controlling challenging ones

STEP 2: GET TO GRIPS WITH SHAPEWEAR 

As a stylist, my first order of business with a client is to build a ‘shapewear arsenal’.

Shapewear enhances your body shape, accentuating your good areas and controlling challenging ones. And today’s shapewear has come a long way from the dowdy underwear it used to be - it’s sexy!

Lifting, cinching and smoothing may sound like hard work, but it’s worth it. You want your breasts and bottom to cantilever off your torso, with your back softly sloping and your hips and waistline curving like a Norman arch.

Getting started:

Again, wearing bra and knickers only, stand in front of a full-length mirror. View yourself from the front, back, and both sides.

Zoom in on the areas you’ve always found challenging to dress and look for things you may not have noticed or just ignored in the past.

I’m talking about back rolls, thigh and buttock dimples, a protruding lower tummy, and sagging skin around your knees.

Shapewear should be comfortably snug. Too small and it will create lines and bulges, and possibly interfere with your circulation 

Once you’ve identified your trouble spots, make a list of the areas you want to control and enhance first, then prioritize! Give each area a number, starting with number one as the most important.

This will make it easier to identify which shapewear you need to purchase. Don’t forget there is now a shaping garment for every part of the body - and even some that cover more than one problem zone.

Whether you opt for a thong with tummy control or go for more extensive coverage with cycling shorts or even control leggings, the important thing is to dress what you see, not what you think you see. This is honesty time!

Once you’ve identified your trouble spots, make a list of the areas you want to control and enhance first

Do:

• Decide how much control you need. All shapewear is made with different levels of control, so read the labels carefully.
• Be clear on what your figure concerns are to select the right shapers for those areas.
• Follow the care instructions. Washing and drying shapewear at high heat breaks down its fibres and destroys the fit. It’s best to hand-wash shapewear and let it air dry.

Don’t:

• Buy too large or too small. Shapewear should be comfortably snug. Too small and it will create lines and bulges, and possibly interfere with your circulation.
• Too large and it won’t provide enough support, will shift on your body, and bunch up under outer garments.
• Rely on photographs on packaging. The model shot may be retouched or she may not have your body shape. Try it on!
• Let extensive seaming intimidate you; it is not an indication of discomfort. Strategically placed to provide support, seams are a girl’s best friend. 

Most women worldwide are wearing the wrong size bra - and don’t know it. Wearing an ill-fitting bra will ruin a look and add years to your appearance

STEP 3: TIME TO BURN YOUR OLD BRAS! 

Most women worldwide are wearing the wrong size bra - and don’t know it. Wearing an ill-fitting bra will ruin a look and add years to your appearance.

It can also contribute to a multitude of physical problems: back, shoulder, and breast pain; rashes and abrasions; bruised shoulders; and bad posture.

• Your under-bust measurement is your bra size.
• The difference between your under-bust measurement and your bust measurement determines your cup size. Measure the bust at nipple level, the fullest part of the bust.
• If your under-bust measurement is 34 in and your bust measurement is 36 in, the difference is 2 in. A 2 in difference indicates you are a B cup. A difference of 3 in is a C cup, and 4 in difference is a D cup, 5 in is a DD or an E, 6 in is a DDD or an F, 7 in is a G.

It can also contribute to a multitude of physical problems: back, shoulder, and breast pain; rashes and abrasions; bruised shoulders; and bad posture 

You know your bra is the wrong size if…

• The straps dig into your shoulders
• Your breasts spill out of the sides
• . . . OR point downwards.
• . . . or flow over the front of the cups.
• The bra band feels really tight or is too loose, constantly rising up your back.
• You have one shelf of breast, a ‘uniboob’ as I call it, rather than two separate ones.
• The band is so tight that you can’t get two fingers under it.

You probably didn’t know that…

Bras need 24 hours rest after wearing to regain their supportive shape and a bra worn regularly will only last for about six months before you’ll need to retire it.

Those with hourglass figures should wear a control full slip as it contours the entire body

STEP 4: DON'T BE AFRAID TO FLAUNT IT  

What the Hourglass should wear:

Tops: Wrap blouses and tailored button-down shirts both emphasise your nipped in waist.

Skirts: With your shape, you should always choose the classic pencil skirt first.

Dresses: Wrap dresses, A-line dresses and fitted sheath styles that skim the knee.

Trousers: Boot cut, straight and fitted leg.

Jackets: A peplum jacket or anything with a princess-seam.

Shapewear: Control full slip as it contours the entire body.

What the Triangle should wear:

Tops: A wide neckline to give your figure more balance. Opt for kimono sleeves, neckline embellishments and details across shoulders.

Skirts: Minimize your hips with asymmetrical hems, gored style (triangular pieces of fabric that are stitched together) or A-line shapes.

Dresses: Look for styles that are off-the-shoulder or have a boat neck.

Trousers: Choose tailored trousers that fall straight from the widest part of your hips, with a flat front.

Jackets: Structured shoulders and wide lapels will emphasise your upper torso.

Shapewear: Control high-waist briefs, cycling shorts or even leggings.

Women with the inverted triangle body shape should wear A-line skirts and dresses 

What the Rectangle should wear:

Tops: Large buttons, ruffles at the neck, bust pockets and structured shoulders. Peasant tops and off-the-shoulder styles also work.

Skirts: Full, semi-circle, gored and A-line styles add fullness to your bottom.

Dresses: Look for structured shoulders with flutter or billowing sleeves.

Jackets: Choose a fitted blazer with a high stance - so the button is above the waist.

Shapewear: Control vests smooth your back, flatten your tummy and contour your waist.

What the Oval should wear:

Tops: Choose cuts that fall between the mid and lower hip and won’t ride up.

Skirts: A-line, trumpet, and gored styles all give you shape and definition at the waist.

Dresses: V-neck or U-neck, knee-length styles with soft pleating.

Trousers: Tailored, wide-leg, flared, or boot-cut silhouettes are great for you.

Jackets: Your go-to shape has structured shoulders and vertical seaming at the back.

Shapewear: A waist cincher is great because it specifically contours the waist.

What the Inverted Triangle should wear:

Tops: Flared bottom shirts flatter slim hips.

Skirts: Knee-length pleated skirts, circle, A-line and full gored.

Dresses: Choose a peplum, or A-line surplice.

Trousers: Wide-leg styles.

Jackets: Car coat styles and single-breasted button designs.

Shapewear: An arm shaper works well.

The Art of Dressing Curves: The Best-Kept Secrets of a Fashion Stylist by Susan Moses is published by Harper Design International, priced £20. 

To order a copy for £15, call 0844 571 0640 or visitmailbookshop.co.uk. P&P free on orders over £15. Offer valid until June 13, 2016.