Dressing with style involves more than just wearing what you like, it takes strategy.  By using your clothing's fit, fabric, color, details, pattern and proportions to direct attention to exactly where you want it, you'll be able to create a look that is both flattering and condusive with your personality.

Fit
All of your clothing should fit perfectly.  Good fit means that clothes skim the body (by showing curves without clinging to them) and that all the details (pocket flaps, slits, lapels, seams and pleats) should lie flat.  Clothing that is too big creates a sloppy appearance and adds pounds.

Fabric
Fabric that falls smoothly over the curves of your body are most flattering.  If a fabric is too stiff, it takes on a shape of its own and winds up looking boxy; too thin, and it clings to every bump and bulge; too bulky or too shiny, and it adds pounds.  The best type of fabric is a matte fabric free of unwanted heft but with enough body to slide over problem areas.  Fabrics like wool crepe, wool-microfiber blends, cotton, wool garbadine, cotton blended with silk, flat knits, two-ply silks and some sythetics are good choices, depending on the garment.  A touch of spandex is great, too.  Three to five percent is plenty, more than this can have a negative effect.

Color
Momochromatic- Dressing in one color can create a pulled-together look and can actually make you appear slimmer.  A monochromatic look helps the eye glide over trouble spots.  While you can achieve this effect with most colors, the darker colors are most slimming.

Bright and light colors- Even though dark colors make you look slimmer, lighter, brighter colors can do the complete opposite.  By strategically placing paler or brightly colored pieces over a part of your body that you like, is giving it the attention it deserves.  You can also pair brights with darks to balance your body.  If you're small on top and heavier on the bottom, for example, a bright pink shirt worn with black pants will give you a more proportioned look.

Details
Details can be used to divert attention to a place you'd rather emphasize.  For example, you can wear a skirt with a ruffled hem to draw attention to your gorgeous legs.  Excessive detailing dates your clothes, diminishes their verstality and makes you appear heavier.

Pattern
Color- Tonal patterns (pink on red) attract less attention that those in contrasting colors.  The darker the background, the more slimming the print.

Size- Always choose prints that are in scale with your size.

Direction- Sometimes the print you choose creates a line.  Vertical lines are always preferable to horizontal lines.

Proportion
Figure flattery is a balancing act.  The length of your legs in relation to your torso, the width of your shoulders in relationship to your hips are things that matter to your overall appearance.  Just like everything else, this can be manipulated.  Every outfit should be short-over-long (or full) or long- over-short (or narrow).  A short jacket with an A-line skirt is a way to achieve the short-over-long (or full) look.  A long jacket with skinny jeans is a way to achieve the long-over-short (or narrow) look.

A Few More Tips...

Play up your strengths!
Do you have great legs?  A beautiful face?  Perfect shoulders?  Whatever features you love need to be highlighted by your outfit.  Shines, patterns, bright colors all attract the eye.  Showcase your assets!

Develop your own unique look
Since people tend to form initial opinions by apprearance, give them a taste of what they are looking for... the real you!  Always wear your favorite color or accessory.

Good posture
Good posture makes you look taller, thinner, more elegant and confident.

A great haircut
A good haircut is so important!  It brightens your eyes, makes your face prettier and can make you look younger.

Confidence
Many of the most attractive people are not the most stylish but they radiate a self-assurance and calm that gets them noticed no matter what they're wearing!