How many women around the world are "hiding out" in head-to-toe black believing it will make them look thin?  Sadly, they're WRONG.  Here's the truth about using your personal best colors strategically to slim and/or balance your body silhouette.

* ANY darker, duller color (also cooler colors and matte surface fabrics) make the area they cover seem to move away from the viewer's eye, thereby appearing smaller.  That applies whether the area in question is your sofa, your front door or your body.  So black can be somewhat slimming, but no more so than chocolate brown, navy, charcoal gray, forest green or any other dark color.  So choose the dark neutrals that your Color Fan identifies as most flattering for you.

* Conversely, any lighter, brighter, warmer color or shiny surface will advance -  draw more attention - making the area it covers appear larger.

But that doesn't mean you should never wear the light or bright colors from your Color Fan.  You just want to wear them purposefully.

If one area of your body is significantly smaller than the other, you can use color to bring them into visual balance.  Maybe you're a triangle - the lower body dominant build - and want to balance your hips and shoulders.  In any ensemble, wear the darker, less eye-catching color on the bottom and something brighter on the top.  PRESTO -- more shoulders and bust, less hips.

Or maybe you're an inverted triangle - lots on top, but slim hips and thighs.  You'll probably want to reverse the placement, using the more eye-catching color (or pattern) on the bottom and a darker solid on top.

So what if you're already balanced (hourglass/rectangle/oval) and just want to look taller and trimmer overall?  Try using your darker color as a "column" - matching top and bottom.  Then layer an advancing color under the jacket, wear the jacket open, and the viewer's eye will travel vertically along the stripe of bright contrast, visually narrowing your body.

Don't want a jacket?  Then color-match the bottom and a single-layer top and add a scarf or necklace in an advancing color to bring attention to your shoulders and face and away from any body challenges.

This week look for ways to create these color-based illusions in your own wardrobe.  And join us next week for more fool-the-eye dress-slim techniques.