Weight Watchers promotional feature: How to look like a goddess when you feel like a slob

By Suzy Greaves

You're confident and determined that you'll lose weight steadily over the coming months but right now, to be honest, you're not feeling at your best. Well, don't despair, for Nicky Hambleton Jones, founder of the style consultancy Tramp2Vamp reckons she can turn any woman into a sleeker, sexier version of herself in a matter of hours.

As a qualified dietician, Nicky spent years running her own practice in her native South Africa. "But I soon realised that many clients had such low self-esteem that the only way to get them to believe they could achieve their goals was to help them build a positive self image," says Nicky. "When you look good, you feel amazing. So don't wait until you lose weight to make an effort with your appearance, because if you look good now, you'll find that you'll have the motivation to achieve your goals."

Here are Nicky's styling tips for dressing slim.

Avoid soft, silky fabrics. You may think you're hiding a multitude of sins, but floaty fabrics will show every lump and bump. "Wear thicker fabrics in tailored shapes that will smooth and narrow your silhouette," she advises.

Wear clothes that fit. "Many people who worry about their size try to disguise their shape under baggy items, which just make them look larger," says Nicky. She suggests we wear fitted clothes. Start with a smaller size than you would normally wear and work upwards. The bigger size may look OK, but the smaller one might look better.

Choose the right colours. You may think they're feminine but pale colours can make you look larger. But you don't have to just wear black! "Dark colours - navy, burgundy, brown - can be just as slimming," suggests Nicky.

Pick your patterns. Bold patterns tend to make the area they're worn on look bigger. Try to use plain colours worn with smaller prints.

Don't wait until you've lost weight to buy nice clothes. Frumpy clothes can make you look and feel bigger than you are. Experiment with shapes and colours. Enlist the help of a stylist or friend. Don't be scared to show off your curves!