SEVEN STYLING TIPS THAT MAKES YOU LOOK TALLER

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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.

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.)H&M Distressed Denim Skirt, $30; hm.comTopshop Moto Stab Stitch A-Line Skirt, $52; topshop.com
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 shorter, giving you stubs for legs. Pumps are the most flattering style, especially in nude. Need more proof? Two words: Kim Kardashian.Jimmy Choo Trinny Leather Pumps, $775; mytheresa.comManolo Blahnik Tayler Patent Pointed d'Orsay, $735; bergdorfgoodman.com
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 their is often more than a petite frame can handle. Instead, try straight or skinny trousers and hem them right above at 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.)The Row Caray Stretch-Wool Wide-Leg Pants, $1,190; net-a-porter.comDorothy Perkins Godtooth Straight Leg Trousers, $29; dorothyperkins.com
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 high when you're short. Watch out for oversized fits unless you plan on tucking those 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.A.P.C. Mike Shirt, $180; apc.frZara Oversize Shirt, $50; zara.com
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.River Island Draped Jacket, $100; riverisland.comMango Premium Linen Jacket, $130; mango.com
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.Tory Burch Pleated Printed Silk Crepe de Chine Maxi Skirt, $495; toryburch.comDolce & Gabbana Rose-Print Cady Pencil Skirt, $818; matchesfashion.com
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.

7 Reach for a Structured Tote

While clutches are the preferred short-girl accessory, if you must have a larger bag steer clear of anything oversized. Remember Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen circa 2008? As fondly as I recall their style, their enormous bags dwarfed their petite frames, making it extremely noticeably how tall they were (5'2" and 5'3", in case you were wondering). Choose a bag with more structure so you don't find yourself competing with a large tote.Maiyet Sia Shopper, $995; maiyet.comSophie Hulme Square Tote Bag, $765; shopbop.com
While clutches are the preferred short-girl accessory, if you must have a larger bag steer clear of anything oversized. Remember Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen circa 2008? As fondly as I recall their style, their enormous bags dwarfed their petite frames, making it extremely noticeable how tall they were (5'2" and 5'3", in case you were wondering). Choose a bag with more structure so you don't find yourself competing with a large tote.

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