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Raise your hand: Who has gained a few pounds during this COVID-19 epidemic? You, me and just about every other woman age 50-plus who got too chummy with the fridge and slacked off on exercise during isolation. Real clothes are a shock. Buttons don’t close, zippers don’t zip and everything we wore last year is too tight. But hey, this is not about being thin. You can have a body-positive attitude, own your curves at any size and still want to look fit, firm and fabulous. Here are 11 ways to triumph over the scale — and dieting isn’t one of them!
![Warners Cloud 9 Wireless Contour Bra 1269 Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Figure Wirefree Extended Side and Back Smoother Bra Auden Womens Bonded Micro Briefs Warners Cloud 9 Wireless Contour Bra 1269 Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Figure Wirefree Extended Side and Back Smoother Bra Auden Womens Bonded Micro Briefs](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2020/how-to-dress-to-look-slimmer/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par1/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2020/08/1140-bra-underwear.jpg)
1. Buy new underwear
Seriously, anything you wear will look 10 times better if extra fleshy bits are not being squeezed or overflowing your bra and underwear. Living in cozy, comfy sweats has weaned us off true shapewear (maybe for life?), but do your body and clothes a favor and get an updated T-shirt bra. Look for lightly lined cups and construction that lifts your breasts up and off your midriff without an underwire like the Warner’s Cloud 9 Wireless Contour Bra 1269 ($40, jcpenney.com) or Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Figure Wirefree Extended Side and Back Smoother Bra ($30, kohls.com). No need to give up comfort. By creating as much space as possible between your chest and waist you get a longer, more toned torso instantly. Grab some seamless, high-cut microfiber briefs like the Auden Women’s Bonded Micro Briefs ($5, target.com), but make sure they are in your new size.
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![Vanessa Williams and Mary Steenburgen both wearing outfits with a v neck while Phylicia Rashad wears a boatneck blouse. Vanessa Williams and Mary Steenburgen both wearing outfits with a v neck while Phylicia Rashad wears a boatneck blouse.](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/entertainment/style-trends/info-2020/how-to-dress-to-look-slimmer/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par3/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/entertainment/beauty-and-style/2020/08/1140-vanessa-williams-mary-steenburgen-phylicia-rashad.jpg)
2. Choose a V-neck
I’ve said it before: The inverted triangle of a V-neck strengthens your shoulder line and lengthens your neck and torso. Wider Vs balance broad hips and thighs; deeper Vs give a generous chest separation and lift (just don’t go too low, no cleavage necessary). Wrap dresses and crossover tops also have this neckline. No Vs in your closet? Simply unbutton all your shirts and blouses to a V, but be sure to yank the sides open for a true V — not a sliver. Next best neckline? A boatneck offers similar shoulder-broadening and neck-stretching benefits to the upper body.
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