SEVEN STYLING TIPS THAT MAKES YOU LOOK TALLER
Beyond, you know, "wear high heels."
A backhanded compliment I actually like hearing is "but you don't look
that short!" Whenever I hear it, I give myself a little pat on the back
because I know it's the way I dressed that made me seem taller than I
am. At 5'1'', I'm more prone than my leggy friends to looking sloppy and
unkempt if an item does not fit properly. So I'm careful about how I
dress my petite frame, and have learned some ways to trick the eye into
thinking I'm at least 5'4" (I'm not asking for miracles here!).
That being said, I'll admit to having worn every single 'don't' on this list, and will likely continue to do so if the mood strikes. (Sometimes you just want to wear a billowing dress that swallows you whole, and then just do it and enjoy it, you know?) But for those times when you do care about looking less like the teeny girl swimming in fabric, here are a few suggestions to dress in a way that makes you look taller than nature intended.
That being said, I'll admit to having worn every single 'don't' on this list, and will likely continue to do so if the mood strikes. (Sometimes you just want to wear a billowing dress that swallows you whole, and then just do it and enjoy it, you know?) But for those times when you do care about looking less like the teeny girl swimming in fabric, here are a few suggestions to dress in a way that makes you look taller than nature intended.
1 Ditch the Clingy Denim Mini Skirt
The
mini skirt is an obvious choice, but the key to this is choosing the
proper silhouette. Avoid anything that hugs the thighs and opt for a
high-waist A-line instead. A tighter fit will make your legs look short
while a wider cut will elongate them and hint at a thigh gap (whether you have one or not.)
2 Avoid Heels With Thick Ankle Straps
This is a major
don't. Giant ankle straps will chop off your 27" inseam even more,
giving you stubs for legs. Pumps are the most flattering style,
especially in nude. Need more proof? Two words: Kim Kardashian.
3 Always Hem Your Pants (and Skimp on the Volume, too)
Wide-leg
trousers are great in theory, but they are often more than a petite
frame can handle. Instead, try straight or skinny trousers and hem them
right above the ankle, Audrey Hepburn-style. (This is a general rule for
everyone: Get your pants hemmed! You'll be surprised at how big of a
difference it will make.)
4 Make Sure Your Button Down Shirts Hit at the Hipbone
The
button down is a staple in everyone's wardrobe, and the risk of finding
an ill-fitting style is great when you're short. Watch out for
oversized fits unless you plan on tucking them in. The end of the hem
should stop at your hip, not below your derriere. Try rolling up your
sleeves, leaving a couple top buttons undone, or messy tucking the
middle. This will help break the focus of all that fabric engulfing your
upper half, giving the eye more points of interest.
5 Skip the Sloping Shoulder Summer Jacket
Long
jackets with sloping shoulders will instantly bring the eye downwards,
which will exaggerate your short stature. Like button down shirts, don't
let the hem of your jacket fall below your hip line. Shoulder seams
will give you structure which means you'll look long and lean.
6 Go Midi, Not Maxi
I
tend to avoid maxi skirts altogether. It seems counterintuitive to hem a
boho skirt only to have a block of fabric covering two-thirds of my
body. It simply isn't that flattering. Try midi or pencil skirts
instead. As long as it stops above mid-calf, you're in the clear.
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