'Biggest Loser' Stylist Talks Dressing Host Alison Sweeney and How To Flatter Your Figure

Filed under: Style in the News, Interviews, Flatter Your Figure, Fashion, News, How to Wear

As stylist for NBC's reality hit "The Biggest Loser," Liza Whitcraft has the skinny on looking good at any size. And like the show's dreaded weigh-in, her job has its highs and lows.

This season she's had the satisfying challenge of dressing Alison Sweeney after the host had her second child in May. "Every week, I had to put her in a smaller pair of jeans," says Whitcraft. "She's a size 4 now. She looks amazing."

She's also had the experience of putting contestants who were recently morbidly obese into size 6 dresses. "I have to admit, that's a fun day at the office."

Are the newly svelte shy about wearing something form-fitting after years of wearing baggy clothes to hide their girth?

"Hell no," says Whitcraft. "We usually pick big personalities for "The Biggest Loser" and they just want to go out there and show off. If anything, I have to keep them out of things that are skin tight."

Still, the stylist is charged with making all the show's contestants look trim for the season finale -- even if they're not down to their ideal weight. For that task, there is a lot of hidden help involved. Think : Spanx, elaborate bra fittings and compression T-shirts.

Here, Liza Whitcraft shares some of her behind-the-scenes slimming tricks with StyleLIst.

For curvy petites such as host Alison Sweeney:

• Dark, boot cut jeans are your best bet. "Avoid boyfriend styles, anything tight or skinny," says Whitcraft. "Right now, for Alison, I am loving Joe's Jeans in the Petite Provocateur style. The leg break is perfect on a petite women. It adds so much height."
• Heels rule. If you can wear a two-inch heel and be comfy, "Do it."
• Wrap dresses are key. "I put Alison in a lot of Diane von Furstenberg. They are terribly flattering on her, but the truth is she's beautiful. She looks good in just about everything and can wear almost any color."
• Great fitting T-shirts are key to a casual look, especially ones that don't cover too much, making you look heavier on top. "Avoid crew necks. Wear a V-neck whenever you can." She favors tees by Vince and James Perse for Sweeney.

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'Biggest Loser' Stylist Talks Dressing Host Alison Sweeney and How To Flatter Your Figure originally appeared on StyleList on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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