The Cheat Sheet: How to Look Taller in the Clothes We Wear
Ever notice how stars like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Natalie Portman, Anna Kendrick, Salma Hayek, and Mila Kunis, all under 5 foot 3, seem to tower when they hit the red carpet? Well, they've got some fashion magic up their sleeves, thanks to their savvy stylists.
Why not borrow a page from their petite playbook? Dive into these fashion hacks that work wonders for the A-listers – you might just uncover the secret of how to look taller in clothes.
How To Wear Clothes To Make You Look Taller
If you happen to be on the shorter side, let's steer clear of making yourself appear even more petite. With these style tips, you'll get that statuesque appeal using the clothes that are probably hanging in your closet right now. Let's get to know them.
Embrace high-waisted bottoms.
Give your outfit a lift with high-waisted bottoms, especially in the form of jeans, trousers, or leggings. These gems snugly sit at your waist, the tiniest part of your tummy, creating the optical illusion that your legs begin from a higher spot. It's a nifty trick that not only elongates your legs but also highlights those fabulous curves of yours. Pair that high-waisted bottom with any cropped top and you're good to go.
Check out this style ensemble in our Flyleaf Crew Neck Crop Top.
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Go for V-neck tops.
Revamp your wardrobe with a couple of V-neck tops and jumpers – they're the key to creating the illusion of a longer torso. Not only will you appear leaner, but it's always a win, right?
For a night out, go bold with a plunging v-neckline to seriously boost your vertical charm. Just a friendly tip: channel your inner J-Lo and consider some double-sided tape to rock that plunging look flawlessly.
Look dainty and pretty in our Laureate V Neck Cropped Tank Top which you can easily glam up for a girl's night out or dress down for lunch with friends.
Feel demure in a short skirt.
When it comes to rocking a short dress or skirt, go ahead and embrace the shorter lengths. It's a fantastic way to give the illusion of longer legs. Steer clear of knee-length skirts as they might make you appear shorter. Go for styles that go above the knee for that leggy look. And if you're sporting a mini skirt, keep it playful yet elegant. Complete the look with open-toe ankle strap heels, espadrilles, or a chic platform sandal to amp up the leg-lengthening magic.
Get your dibs on this lovely Flyleaf V Crisscross High-Rise Skort and pair it with your favorite cropped top for that demure vibe with the right amount of skin reveal.
Elongate the legs with slits on skirts.
If you're into fitted skirts or dresses, consider picking pieces with slits for that extra flair. Not only does it add a touch of style, but it also works like magic, creating the illusion of mile-long legs while still showing off your fantastic shape and curves.
Rock a tall and elongated look with our Sustainable UPF50+ Knee-Length Skort.
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Stand high in monochromes or one color.
Going for a single color from head to toe is a fantastic trick to instantly add some height to your look. It creates a smooth, uninterrupted line that works wonders for elongating your silhouette. Feel free to play around with various shades and textures within the same color family to keep things lively. And hey, don't shy away from rocking bold colors – it's your time to shine!
Another option is to go for a column of color. Whether it's black or any other hue, having one color for both your top and bottom helps avoid those pesky horizontal lines that can visually chop us up.
Go for an all-blue color column ensemble with our blue Evergreen Modal Pullover paired with the blue Evergreen Modal Straight Bootcut.
Look statuesque in a maxi skirt or dress.
Don't fall for the misconception that maxi skirts are only for tall girls. A beautifully tailored maxi skirt can give the illusion of height. Go for a solid color or a stylish pattern to create a long vertical line, and make sure the hemline goes as low as possible. Pair it with a tucked-in t-shirt, a cute cropped jacket, and some wedges for that maximum vertical appeal.
Love small prints and vertical stripes.
If you're on the petite side, consider going for smaller prints that complement your adorable frame instead of larger ones that might overwhelm it. Choose patterns that are perfectly scaled to your size.
If you're a fan of stripes, go for the vertical ones. They have this fantastic way of drawing the eyes up and down, creating a slim and tall appearance that you'll love.
Have fun with the fun small prints on our Laureate Pocket Tennis Skort that you can easily pair with any cute top you have.
Other Style Hacks To Look Taller
Knowing what clothes to wear to look taller already gives a statuesque visual. But knowing also the accessories and shoes to complete the height formula is needed. Here are some of them:
Use smaller bags.
Big bags have been all the rage for the past decade, but here's a friendly tip: they might be making you appear shorter than you are. A good rule of thumb is to match your accessories to your body size.
Proudly carry clutches, cross-body bags, or smaller totes – they can work wonders in making you look taller. Wondering why? Well, the wider the bag, the more the eye is drawn horizontally, which can take away from the perception of height. Keep it chic and proportional.
Cinch the waist with skinny belts.
Just like oversized bags, big belts can have the same effect of making you look smaller. To give the illusion of height, go for skinny belts. They work their magic by defining your waist, whereas thicker belts might seem to cut you in half. Keep it sleek and chic with those skinny belts.
Strut in pointed shoes and skin-tone footwear.
Pointed shoes work like magic to extend and elongate your legs, giving you that extra height you're after.
Going for nude or skin-toned pairs adds a leg-lengthening effect, making your shoes blend in seamlessly with your legs. Say no to straps, as they can bisect your legs at the ankle, creating the illusion of being cut off at the wrong point. Keep it sleek and seamless for that leggy look.
Give vertical accessories a nod.
Pick accessories that work their magic with vertical lines – think long necklaces or drop earrings. They effortlessly draw the eye up and down, giving you that perfect height boost. Oh, and a quick tip: steer clear of chokers and short necklaces as they can make your neck seem shorter. Go for the long and lovely to enhance that vertical allure.
Stand Tall and Proud Like a Runway Fashion Model
Even if you know the clothes to wear to look taller, confidence is key to rocking the statuesque vibe. Stand tall, shoulders back, and strut your outfit with pride. Embrace your petite stature because there's nothing wrong with it. When you feel fantastic, you'll look fantastic. After all, height is just a number. Keep in mind that confidence is your ultimate accessory, and your height does not define your style.
Find the clothes that fit you well and highlight your personal style in our All Women's collection, designed not only as activewear pieces but a lifestyle you can embrace every day.