2 Ways to Look Slim in Leggings

Slimming leggings are your friend when you want to look tall and you know how to style them. Today I’m excited to partner with Red Coral Fashion to show you how!

Whoever said leggings were frumpy wasn’t wearing them right. This gorgeous spring outfit proves that leggings can be an elegant, slimming, and classy addition to your wardrobe. Let’s break down this fabulous look.

First, Here’s how I’ve styled this look. Many chic women and celebrities use this dressing trick called Column Dressing. It’s based on the principle that dark colors recede (making whatever they are placed overlook smaller), and bright colors advance or pop (drawing more attention to that area.) So here’s what you do.

Take a pair of your favorite black leggings and add a soft, flowy black tunic.

I love this black tank because it is a beautiful, streamlined shape that skims the body and is very soft and comfy. It’s also a perfect length. Tops for leggings should cover your bottom, but they can sometimes look baggy when they are too long. This one has a round neck and is sleeveless, but Red Coral Fashion makes several other excellent styles.

Once you have your base, add black shoes. They don’t have to be as high as this; even a tiny black heel is slimming. By wearing black on the bottom and the top, you create a dark black canvas that visually shrinks the body and hides lumps and bumps.

Red Coral Fashion makes several types of lightweight slimming leggings, some long, some cropped, and a few with chic designs like this subtle sparkly black rhinestone legging. It’s small details like this that elevate the look of leggings.

The next step is to throw on anything bright or light. The contrast of the dark from head to toe and the bright or light garment on the top left open down the middle creates a pathway for the eye to travel up and down. This movement tricks the eye into making you look taller and leaner.

Now, about the wrap. How gorgeous is this? This cozy Fuchsia wrap is unlike anything I have seen. It’s pretty clever. It’s a wide knit wrap with very short sleeves.

It’s a little tricky to figure out how to put it on. I had it upside down at first, but once it’s on, it is fabulous! I love how it adds such drama to a leggings outfit, and it’s super practical too. I think it’s perfect for transitional dressing and would be fabulous for travel.

And it is reversible! Flip to the gray side and roll down the collar to reveal hot pink. This reversible sleeve shawl also comes in red, black, and a couple of beautiful plaids.

This gorgeous wrap isn’t the only thing that works well with column dressing. Case in point…

Here’s another darling top from Red Coral Fashion. This cute relaxed red shirt doubles as a jacket and looks chic with leggings.

Interestingly, you start with the same backdrop – a column of black, but you get a different look!

I only changed shoes ( a little sportier) and a jacket. The black leggings and black top remain the same, except that these are classic leggings with no sparkle.

See the back of the jacket with the big black buttons? That red color with these exotic buttons gives it a strange Asian vibe.

You can wear it open, or you can wear it closed. Both ways, it is a very versatile piece that can be dressed up or down, and it would be great to take with you on vacation.

These are just a couple of beautiful casual pieces from Red Coral Fashion. This family-owned Canadian company has been around for thirty years and specializes in couture-inspired women’s fashion and accessories without the hefty price tag.

Thanks to Red Coral Fashion for sponsoring this post. To learn more, see my page: Blog Monetization and Disclosure.

Meet the author

Deborah Boland

Deborah, a former Fashion & Lifestyle TV host and Image Consultant, understands the style challenges women face in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. As the founder of Fabulous After 40, she helps women tweak their chic and embrace fashion with confidence—so they always look and feel amazing.

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