---
title: "Andrei Tan Debunks the Black Myth: Why Dark Clothes Don't Always Slim You Down and What to Actually Look For"
description: "Designer Andrei Tan explained why the color black does not automatically make a figure look slimmer. In his words, the decisive factors remain the cut, the fit, and the proportions, not the shade."
date: 2026-09-04T12:22:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/andre-tan-black-clothes-cut-proportions-slimming
tags: [andre-tan, fashion, style, clothing, outfit-tips]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Andrei Tan Debunks the Black Myth: Why Dark Clothes Don't Always Slim You Down and What to Actually Look For

![Three all-black outfits with different fits: a fitted top, an oversized sweater and a loose blouse with wide trousers — showing that black does not always slim](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/04/andre-tan-cherny-kray-proporcii-stroynit/andre-tan-cherny-kray-proporcii-stroynit-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- The color black only slightly pulls the silhouette together and does not guarantee a slimming effect.
- The decisive factors are the cut, the fit, and the proportions of the garment, not its color.
- Vertical accents and a high rise visually elongate the figure and lengthen the legs.
- Black remains a versatile color, but color alone is not enough to correct the silhouette.

Ukrainian designer and stylist Andrei Tan, in a new Instagram video noticed by the [Styler project from RBC-Ukraine](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/trends/andre-tan-rozviyav-mif-chorniy-odyag-vin-1788517175.html), directly challenged one of the most persistent myths in everyday fashion: that "black always makes you look slimmer." In his words, relying exclusively on dark colors is a mistake that more often harms the silhouette than it helps. He pointed out that the key factor is not the shade of the fabric, but the cut, the fit, and the proportions of the garment.

### The Myth of the "Slimming" Black

Tan acknowledged that dark shades do perform one useful function: they pull the silhouette together and make its outlines less noticeable. However, in his assessment, this effect is not enough for a person to objectively look slimmer. "The color black by itself does not make you slimmer. Yes, it can indeed pull your silhouette in a little, make its outlines less noticeable, but if the garment is the wrong length, if it doesn't fit you well or adds volume, black won't save you," the designer explained. Thus, color on its own works only as a minimal, not a decisive, factor.

### Fit Matters More Than Color

The stylist's main thesis is that a poorly constructed garment is not forgiven in any color. Shapeless, oversized clothing, even if it is entirely black, can, in his words, make the silhouette look bulkier rather than hide its flaws. At the same time, a light-colored garment with the right fit produces the opposite result: for example, a light jacket with a defined shoulder line visually elongates the figure and makes it look slimmer. The conclusion Tan draws is unambiguous: the secret to a slim look is not in dressing exclusively in black, but in working correctly with shape and proportions.

### Details That Elongate the Silhouette

The designer listed specific structural elements to pay attention to when choosing clothes. First, the top and bottom of an outfit must harmonize with each other: an unsuccessful length or a wrong ratio of volumes can visually distort the silhouette even in dark clothing. Second, vertical accents help — long jacket lapels, vertical seams, and other details that create a "top-to-bottom" direction, which elongates the figure and creates a slimmer outline.

### High Rise and Precise Length

Separately, Tan highlighted the high rise of trousers, jeans, or skirts as one of the simplest tools for correcting proportions: it emphasizes the waist and visually lengthens the legs. The stylist also stressed that even a few centimeters of length can noticeably affect how the figure is perceived, so it is important to consider not only fashion trends but also your own proportions. A garment, in his formulation, must "work for you," not merely have a fashionable color: both overly loose and overly tight clothing can create unwanted volume regardless of whether it is black or light.

### Black Stays in the Wardrobe

At the same time, Tan does not call for eliminating black from the wardrobe: it remains a versatile color that pairs easily with other shades and styles. The limitation concerns only one goal — looking slimmer "automatically." "So stop hiding in black from head to toe just because you want to accidentally look slimmer. That won't happen. It's not the color that shapes the figure; it's the right cut that does," the designer emphasized. The practical advice comes down to this: before automatically choosing an all-black outfit "for slimness," it is worth first assessing the silhouette of the garment — sometimes a well-chosen light jacket or clothing with a precise cut will do more for your figure than a shapeless dark ensemble.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Andrei Tan Debunks the Myth of Black Clothing: It Can Add You Extra Volume](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/trends/andre-tan-rozviyav-mif-chorniy-odyag-vin-1788517175.html) - Прямой источник: пересказ видео стилиста в Instagram с цитатами о роли кроя, посадки, пропорций, высокой посадки и вертикальных акцентов. Совпадает с основным текстом статьи.
- [Stylish Clothes for Summer 2025: Andrei Tan Showed What to Wear to Stay in Trend](https://www.unian.net/lite/style/andre-tan-trendoviy-odyag-na-lito-shcho-nositi-u-2025-roci-12988518.html) - Контекстный источник: подтверждает, что Андре Тан активно дает публичные рекомендации по трендам и подбору одежды.
- [Trench, Blazer, and Coat: Andrei Tan Talked About Which Outerwear Is in Trend Now](https://www.unian.net/lite/style/andre-tan-trendoviy-verhniy-odyag-2025-roku-shcho-nositi-ciyeji-vesni-12956808.html) - Контекстный источник: подтверждает, что Андре Тан активно дает публичные рекомендации по трендам и подбору одежды.
- [Andrei Tan Named Clothing That Will Never Go Out of Style 8](https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/fashion/_andre-tan-nazval-odezhdu-kotoraya-nikogda-ne-vyjdet-iz-mody/1248699) - Контекстный источник: подтверждает статус Тана как эксперта по базовым и универсальным вещам, согласуется с тезисом о универсальности черного.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Does the color black make you look slimmer?
**A:** According to Andrei Tan, black only slightly pulls the silhouette together and makes its outlines less noticeable, but by itself it does not make a person slimmer. If the garment is the wrong length, fits poorly, or adds volume, the color black will not save the situation.

### Q: What matters more for a slim silhouette — color or cut?
**A:** The decisive factors are the cut, the fit, and the proportions of the garment. Tan emphasizes: "It's not the color that shapes the figure; it's the right cut that does." A light-colored garment with the right fit can look slimmer than a shapeless black one.

### Q: Which details of clothing visually elongate the figure?
**A:** The designer names vertical accents — long jacket lapels, vertical seams, as well as a high rise on trousers, jeans, or skirts, which emphasizes the waist and visually lengthens the legs.

### Q: Should the color black be excluded from the wardrobe?
**A:** No. Tan notes that black remains a versatile color that pairs easily with other shades and styles. The limitation concerns only the expectation of "automatic" slimness from an all-black outfit.