There’s nothing wrong with being short, it actually comes with its perks; you can wear high heels without towering over everyone, leg room is not an issue on planes, and you always get to stand in front during a group photo. However, on occasion, there may have been situations when you’ve felt like your outfit was making you look even shorter. Indeed, some outfit choices do shave off inches without you even realizing it. To avoid these petite problems, we present to you five easy fashion tips on how to look taller.
High-Waist Pants
The problem with a low-waist pair is that it cuts you in half and shortens your legs. Make high-waist pants your new best friend. When shopping for this style, make sure that the hem length covers your shoes but doesn’t drag on the floor and double as a broom. This will create the illusion of having long legs for days.
One Color Rule
One of the most effective ways to appear taller is by creating a long vertical line. The best way to do this is to wear a single color from head-to-toe instead of breaking up your outfit with contrasting hues. Consider monochrome, tailored silhouettes such as jumpsuits shift dresses, and suits—they all work well.
Style tip: Pair your look with a bold lipstick or a topknot hairdo that will guide people’s gaze upwards.
The Long and Short of it
Ankle and calf grazing skirt lengths are not for everyone. The awkward length breaks the long vertical line that you’re aiming to achieve. Still, your short build shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying a chic midi. The solution is to wear a fitted top tucked into a high-waist midi length skirt—this trick will elongate your torso. However, the best silhouettes to consider are maxi skirts in solid colors that fall just above the ground or short flared skirts that show off more skin, which will accentuate the length of your legs.
Shoes With Low-Cut Vamps
What’s a vamp? It’s the area on high-heel pumps that covers the top part of your toes. The more area it covers, the shorter your legs will appear. The next time you go shoe shopping, consider a silhouette where the vamp is cut low with just a hint of toe cleavage showing. For maximum leg length, choose a pair that matches your skin tone.
Take Note on Coats
Choose coats that are knee-length—any longer and it will overwhelm your small frame. Look for styles that feature sharp tailoring and straight cuts, like a double-breasted coat in a saturated color. This will give you a streamlined look, visually stretch your midsection, and flatter your petite figure.
