Dress Light

Stomach Slimmer

Birgit, flight attendant, 45

Before: "My stomach is where all my fat is," Birgit says—a fact made painfully clear by the clingy material (at left). Other musts to avoid for untoned abs: eye-catching details (like a flurry of ruffles) right on the problem area and a tight belt just above it.

After: A soigné dotted-swiss dress (Lucy Sykes New York, $395)—in the world's best camouflage color—skims over the tummy and diverts the eye with a contrasting ribbon hip belt. With a crisp collar and front placket, her torso looks longer and trimmer. Birgit loves black-and-white—"It's classic, elegant, and timeless"—and could see this dress working day or night. Small hoop earrings, Pandora. Gold bangles and rings with multicolored stones, Temple St. Clair.