WHEN you assemble an outfit, you don't need to follow outdated fashion rules – in fact, the most common guidelines might draw emphasis to areas you'd rather avoid.

According to one fashion expert, if you want to avoid emphasizing your belly, there's a counterintuitive trick you can apply when choosing clothes.

Fashion coach Miranda Holder shares style tips for all body types. One recent video was directed at people with "apple-shaped" bodies.

Addressing her 34.5k followers, Holder shared the biggest style mistake she sees on people who have larger midsections.

"Quite often, apple shapes have fantastic, slim legs," Holder said. "Congratulations! That's amazing."

But by dressing to show off your legs, you might be inadvertently making your proportions look strange.

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"The temptation is to put them in skinny jeans or leggings or a miniskirt even, and get them out, whilst wearing something big and baggy on your top half," the fashion coach said.

Especially if you choose a billowy blouse to "hide" your midsection, the pairing of slim-fit bottoms with a loose blouse will draw attention to your stomach.

"Wearing something super skinny on your legs is actually only going to make your top half appear more solid and larger," Holder warned.

To make your body look more proportional, you'll have to go against your instincts, she added.

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"I know it's counterintuitive, but you're far better off wearing a straight-legged jean or a wide-legged trouser for a more balanced silhouette," Holder recommended.

If you're planning to wear a slim-fitting skirt or pair of pants anyway, style them with a more fitted top to keep the look balanced.

In the comments section, several people admitted they make the "mistake" Holder detailed when getting dressed to go out.

"I am like an egg on toothpicks and can't live without my leggings," one viewer joked.

"Try wide leg trousers, you will love them," Holder responded.

"You are spot on," a different commenter wrote. "I found that out last week and the difference was woop."

Holder reassured nervous viewers that the trick might seem strange at first, but will result in a more pleasing silhouette than trying to hide some areas while highlighting others.

"If we define a bit of shape you will look and feel much better," she assured viewers.

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