If it is cropped too high, you will get too much calf skin showing and that will create too much of a break between your pant hem and your heels. And if you don’t have enough space between your pant hem and your shoes, it will appear like your pants are too long for you and shorten you.
So what is the magic number? I like to shoot for between 1” and 2” between the top of my shoes and my hem. I would also opt for a higher rise pant to create the illusion of longer legs.
black skirt suit with graphic tee, logo tights and combat boots, showing how a mini skirt can help you appear taller
I save this tip for last because just like crop tops, mini-skirts are certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. But they do make you look taller.
Opt for a high-waisted mini-skirt that hits a few inches above your knees (4 in or more is best). This will lengthen your legs (even if you don’t wear heels), and give focus to your long bottom half.
I have a lot of people mention their weight as a roadblock to their style, and that is a very complicated relationship to overcome. I have styled many body types, and have always found that weight is not a determining factor for good style.
So, I wrote this post to hopefully help you narrow in on some mistakes you might be making, and give you a bit more confidence in your look.
Styling tips to make you appear taller or slimmer, are NOT about being a different shape than you are, rather it is about using more precision to highlight your shape and give your more confidence.
If you're on the short side, it's natural to have a little insecurity about your height and sometimes wish you were taller. Luckily, a few tweaks to your wardrobe can help. High-waisted pants and skirts, combined with form-fitted tops, can help elongate your frame. You can also add accessories that call attention to your upper half, like bigger hats and scarves. With a little tweaking, you can make yourself tall. Sit up straight and tall so you feel confident in your own body. The better you feel about yourself, the more confident and tall you'll look.
Opt for full-length, flared jeans. If you don't mind the flare style, look for jeans with a flare around the leg rather than straight-leg varieties. This draws attention to your bottom half, making your legs look longer.[1]
Make sure that the flare jeans do not drag on the floor as this can make you look shorter rather than taller.
Go for high-wasted, form-fitting dresses. If you like to wear dresses, consider dresses that cinch at the waist just above the hips. This makes your body look well-proportioned, lengthening your frame overall. Avoid dresses that are long and loose as this can make you look like you're drowning in them, drawing attention to your height.[2]
For example, go for a dress with a pencil line skirt that cinches at the waist. Take a pass on the baggy maxi dress.
Pick high-waisted pants or skirts. A higher waist helps make your legs look longer, stretching out your figure overall. When selecting pants or skirts, look for ones that are meant to be buttoned and zipped at the waist. Bottoms that fall at the hips are much less likely to lengthen your frame.[3]
If you are having trouble finding high-waisted garments, look for vintage styles. Many of them tend to have higher waists.
Make sure the crotch doesn't drop. If you find your pants sag near the crotch, either have them tailored or find another pair. Saggy pants in general are unfashionable and can be especially un-flattering if you're on the shorter side.
If you can't get new pants, pull them up so that they don't sag, and wear a belt to keep them up.
Keep the legs of pants at your ankles. This is a must if you're trying to look tall, as saggy legs draw attention to your shorter frame. If you really struggle to find a pair, you can always have a pair tailored or cuff the legs yourself.
Go for v-necks. For any top you wear, go for a V-necks whenever possible. V-necks work great to add height and stretch out your frame, so always be on the lookout for v-necks when shopping.[4]
Does Stress Effect Height IncreaseWhen wearing a button down, leave a few buttons undone and fold the corners of the shirt over to create a v-neck.
Tuck in your tops. If your torso looks shorter and your legs look longer, you're going to look taller. To lengthen your frame, make a habit of tucking in your shirts whenever you can. This works particularly well with pants that are already high-waisted.[5]
For example, if you're wearing a dress shirt and dress pants to work, tuck in the shirt for a professional look that lengthens your frame.
Opt for slimmer sleeves. If your arms are hugged too tightly against your body, this can create sight lines that shorten your overall look. Slimmer sleeves are a great choice if you want to look taller, as they make your arms look distinct. This lengthens your entire frame.
Pick form-fitted tops. The bulkier your top looks, the more your figure drowns in your clothing. This makes your figure look smaller and shorter overall. Go for tops that are a little tighter and more form-fitted to elongate your frame.
For example, stay away from big, bulky sweaters in the winter. Instead, go for sweaters that hug your figure.
Wear shoes that stretch out your frame. High heels, or shoes that simply have a higher lifting heel, are the obvious choice. If you feel uncomfortable in heels, go for sandals or nude-colored shoes that blend into your feet and legs. Knee-high boots can also work to stretch out your frame.[6]
Wear shoes that stretch out your frame. High heels, or shoes that simply have a higher lifting heel, are the obvious choice. If you feel uncomfortable in heels, go for sandals or nude-colored shoes that blend into your feet and legs. Knee-high boots can also work to stretch out your frame.[6]
When choosing heels, opt for nude-colored ones, or match them to your tights. This will help stretch your legs out even more.
Pick short jackets or cardigans. If you're wearing a jacket, cardigan, or something similar with an outfit, keep it shorter. Shorter tops help your torso look shorter and your legs look longer, creating the illusion of height.
Go for jackets and cardigans that fall above your bottom. For example, if you wear a suit to the office, look for one with a shorter jacket that comes down just to your hips.
Match your socks and pants. If you wear socks that are clearly visible, make sure the socks don't contrast too sharply from your pants. A more monochromatic look will stretch out your body, making you look taller overall.
Wear hats or scarves. Drawing attention upward, towards your face, can make you look taller by balancing out your top and bottom half. Try wearing a hat or wrapping a scarf around your neck. Also, pick clothing that compliments your facial features like eye color. This will direct attention upward.
Try a slim belt. Belts can be great to cinch pants, skirts, or dresses at the waist, making your legs look longer and more defined. For the best results, wear a skinnier belt. Anything big or bulky will make your frame look smaller and shorter in comparison.
For example, if you have a dress that's a little looser around the middle, cinch it at the waist with a slim-fitted belt.
Match all your tones or go for a monochromatic look. Regardless of the accessories you choose, keep them in the same color family as your outfit. Wearing different colors divides a person’s body into separate segments. Wearing the same color, or tones that are within the same range, creates one solid line for an observer’s eye to pick up.
For example, if you're wearing a black sweater with black dress pants, pair it with a skinny black belt and scarf.
