How to Choose Flattering Pants

Here are some features to look for when shopping for figure-flattering pants:

• A slight flare at the bottom. This style has been a best seller since as long as we can remember for a good reason-- they instantly make hips look smaller.
• Make sure there is just a bit of stretch; they should stay the same shape and keep the same clean fit as how you bought them.
• A waistband about one or two inches wide. Avoid those that are narrower because they may draw attention to your belly and create unwanted bulges and "sagging" in the front.
• Flat-fronts. They create a seamless line across your abdomen, making you look thinner, and actually taller, whereas pleated fronts do the exact opposite.

Another tip (this goes for jeans): To dress up your basic jeans, wear heels, and tuck in your shirt for a slimming effect. Also, they should sit right above the hip, rather than at your upper waist or below the hipbone (super low-rise styles could make you look shorter, and high-waisted pants don't flatter most bodies, making hips look wider than they actually are).

Photo Courtesy: Ben Goldstein Photography