cover image How to Never Look Fat Again: Over 1,000 Ways to Dress Thinner—Without Dieting!

How to Never Look Fat Again: Over 1,000 Ways to Dress Thinner—Without Dieting!

Charla Krupp, . . Springboard, $26.99 (253pp) ISBN 978-0-446-54747-5

In How Not to Look Old , Krupp aided readers in their quest to fend off the ravages of age. In this second outing, she puts her style and beauty savvy—gleaned from her work at Glamour , InStyle , More , and People: Style Watch —to work helping women discover and celebrate their slimmer side. Those who know the basics of dressing thin (avoid horizontal stripes; Spanx do wonders for bulgy bits; etc.) and are ready for advanced techniques will be thrilled with this book. And novices who think any derriere looks good in any jean should study up: the woman knows her stuff, as evidenced by loads of revelatory before-and-after photos, plus clever tips and useful lists (e.g., the winter-themed “Swap-outs” chart recommends sleek leather gloves vs. bulky woolly ones). The book is organized by issue, such as big bust, “muffin top + back fat,” and “Buddha belly.” While some of the topics may seem wacky at first (“Are your brows making you look fat?” and “Hiding fat with your bag”), a careful read will reveal that Krupp's advice—delivered in just the right knowledgeable-yet-commiserating tone—makes excellent sense. When it comes to clothes and the female figure, the author understands how proportion, balance, and color make the difference between lumpy and lovely, frumpy and fabulous. (Apr.)