Did you know that between 43.5% and 69.9% of women are under 5’4?And, as a petite stylist one of the most frequent styling questions I get asked is. “How can I dress to look taller?” Save this post because I guarantee you’ll want to refer to it again.
Below I’m sharing my top 10 easy style strategies you can use to elongate your figure and give your outfit a little boost!
10 Easy Ways to look taller
The most common trick is to dress all in one color. This creates a long and tall silhouette. Using one solid color from top to bottom or mixing variations of the same color i.e. dark blue with medium blue or light blue with medium blue will draw the eye up and down in a continuous line creating the illusion of vertical length. Mix various textures to add depth and create an interesting outfit.
Lengthen your leg line with nude shoes. By wearing nude or skin tone colored shoes, you won’t “cut your feet off at the ankles” which shortens your leg line = appearing shorter. Nude shoes with a little heel will add additional visual length and height.
You can use design elements such as mock or turtle neck tops. The longer an item is on you, the taller you appear. (Just like longer length pants makes your legs look longer.) If you can’t do a high neck top, try this dress in a cowl or draped neckline design.
When you choose accessories, it’s important to make sure they relate and are congruent to the scale of your own proportions. For a small framed figure, a large handbag will be overpowering and make you look smaller and shorter.
Vise versa, a smaller handbag can make you appear taller or larger.
Are your wrists small, medium or large scale? Match the scale of your wrists to the scale of the straps on your purse.
If you have fine boned wrists, large purse straps will look overwhelming and if you have thicker wrists super thin straps will look off.
Each of us, no matter what height, have unique proportions. If you have to tailor – there is nothing wrong with your body. It’s the clothes. Investing $15-20 in the right tailoring edits can make a garment look high quality and expensive! Get my Tailoring Tips Guide for Petites
“When your clothes fit properly, you look better and, more importantly, feel better and more confident. Tailors add tremendous value to your wardrobe by keeping your clothes well-fitting and comfortable,”
Adrienne M. Kronovet, founder and CEO of Ameliora
Pointed and almond toe shoes will lengthen your leg line by extending the eye from your waist down to the tip of your toes. On the other hand, round toe can make your feet look stumpy – especially if you wear a small shoes size.
Color blocking is a fun and fabulous way to play with color and create a taller visual image. Using analogous colors (next to each other on the color wheel) play well together. Because the colors are similar to each other and they blend together well — creating an integrated or whole look. You can use this to your advantage to create height. IE red and orange or blue and green.
Complimentary colors (those opposite each other) on the other hand create contrast and can cut you in half. IE orange and blue, red and green.
SEE EXAMPLES AND WAYS TO PLAY WITH COLOR
Wearing the same print on top or bottom is the same strategy as color blocking or “column blocking”. The eye sees the top and bottom combined as one long whole. Similar to wearing a maxi dress. Select prints that are scaled to your unique proportions.
Cropped pants are a fun style but tricky because they shorten your leg line. Make up the difference with a high waisted style or continue the color up the waistline in a matching top set.
Using nude or skin tone shoes will also help extend the length of the leg line. Wear fitted nude booties that come up under the pants in cold weather.
Ankle boots, considered a style staple, can shorten your leg line. You can avoid that by wearing a nude color bootie, or matching your shoe to the color of your pants, leggings or tights. Adding a little heel will also give you a lift. Try this look in winter with tights!
DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS POST! I guarantee you’ll want to keep it handy for later.
Please Share: Which of these strategies are the easiest for you to incorporate?
Want to take this a step further and work with me to take your style to the next level? Apply for a Style Clarity & Confidence Strategy Session HERE to learn about how I work with my private clients to create a personal style and closet they love.
Due to a high volume of calls requested I can only take a limited number per week. If I am not able to meet with you, I do my best to send you a free resource via email.
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