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Fashion

Dress to flatter your figure

10 easy style tips to put your best body forward this spring
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prints, print dress, dress, french connection

Alvaro Goveia

For a sleeker silhouette

Body-skimming jersey in a slimming chevron pattern is both smart and comfortable. If you're under five-foot-five, a heel is a must with this maxi dress. For everyone else, anything goes.

Get the look:  Dress, $178, Tommybahama.com. Bracelet, $169, Annemariechagnon.com.

Maxi dress, slimming clothes, Tommy Bahama, Anne-Marie ChagnonAlvaro Goveia

Get longer, leaner legs

Wide-leg, floor-skimming pants in any dark hue lengthen and slim your bottom half. 

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Get the look: Shirt, $185, Nadadesigns.com. Pants, $158, Frenchconnection.com. Bangle, $210, Swarovski.com. Bensimon shoes, $65, 1-800-335-7268.

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Swarovski, Nada Designs, French Connection, Wide-leg pants, bangle, shoesAlvaro Goveia

Hide your hips

Tops featuring feminine ruffles, tiers and voluminous fabrics take the focus off your hips. 

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Get the look: Dress, $275, Tedbaker.com. Hat, $42, Frenchconnection.com.

ruffles, feminine dress, Ted Baker, French connection, summer hatAlvaro Goveia

Sexy swimwear

A halter top, whether in a one-piece or a bikini, is the best bet for most bodies: The figure-flattering neckline can provide serious support or amp up a smaller bustline. 

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Get the look: Swimsuit, $18, Oldnavy.ca.

Old Navy, bathing suit, swimsuit, halter top, bikini, one-pieceAlvaro Goveia

Fake an hourglass shape

Our trick? An A-line dress that cinches at the waist and floats softly over the hips.

Get the look: Dress, $225, Dba-apparel.com. Mykita sunglasses, $510, Josephson.ca. Sandals, $150, Eccocanada.com.

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A-line dress, DBA Apparel, Josephson, Mykita sunglasses, Sandals, Ecco CanadaAlvaro Goveia

Disguise your booty

This fit-and-flare skirt is thigh-slimming and wasit-defining — and great for all figures.

Get this look: Tank, $128, Mimicoco.com. Skirt, $120, Espritshop.ca. Bag, $18, Hm.com. Watch, $75, Timex.ca. Sandals, $15, Oldnavy.ca.

Tank top, Mimi Coco, Flare skirt, High-waisted skirt, Esprit, Bag, H&M, watch, Timex, Old NavyAlvaro Goveia

Bare your best assets

<p>Show a little skin up top. It's comfortable and highlights an oft-forgotten area that's super-sexy on almost every woman.

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Get the look: Dress, $70, Hm.com.

Dress, halter top, H&MAlvaro Goveia

Love your curves

<p>Look shapely and smart in a fitted dress. A bustier-style top offers lots of support. 

Get the look: Dress, $118, Frenchconnection.com. Hat, $30, Winners.ca. Maison scotch ring, $45, 1-866-240-2808.

Dress, french connection, winners, hat, scotch ring, cocktail ring,Alvaro Goveia

Reconsider shoulder pads

Don't be scared of these '80s throwbacks. Subtle shoulder pads, balanced with tailored shorts and a tucked-in shirt, make for a thoroughly modern update. And you won't believe how long and lean you'll look.

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Get the look: Blazer, $178, Shorts, $118, Frenchconnection.com. Sandals, $280, Stuartweitzman.com. Shirt, $24, Joe.ca.

french connection, blazer, shorts, shoulder pads, sandals, stuart weitzman, joe fresh, collared shirtAlvaro Goveia

Try flattering prints

An all-over pattern and soft pleats create an optical illusion that obscures bulges and wobbly bits. 

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Get the look: Dress, $148, Frenchconnection.com.

prints, print dress, dress, french connectionAlvaro Goveia

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