Styling Tips To Help You Look Taller
Not every short woman wants to look taller, but if you do, today’s post has a few style tricks to try. These tips will also help any woman have a taller appearance by using proportion and shape to create the optical illusion of more height.
I’m updating this post with new ideas and have left your previous comments.
Nude Shoes
A nude shoe that matches your skin tone lengthens the look of your legs which helps you to appear taller. A dark shoe with dark pants or dark tights will have the same effect. Matching your shoes with your pants creates the illusion of longer legs.
Wear Heels
Any heel, even a slight elevation, will elongate your look and help you look taller. For a double whammy, wear nude heels. Most women over 50 aren’t wearing heels on a daily basis so look for wedges and platforms for the same boost.
High-Waisted Bottoms
High waisted trousers, skirts, and pants create a vertical line that has a lengthening effect on your lower body. If the pant leg is full or boot-cut, hem them to cover your shoe but not drag on the ground. Tuck or half-tuck the front of your shirt for the longest look possible. Avoid cropped or capri pants, which chop your legs visually and make them look shorter. Cuffs are never your friend in pants, so avoid them at all costs.
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Monochromatic Outfit
Wearing a column of color, head to toe, will make you look taller. The unbroken visual line allows the eye to travel from top to bottom without a break. Low contrast, tonal, and monochromatic outfits with similar shades have the same effect. Don’t break this line with a contrasting belt because the eye slams to a halt midway and draws attention from side to side. You should also avoid wide belts for the same reason.
Handbag
Petite women are overwhelmed by large totes and handbags. Scale your purse to your size and height. Also, avoid having your bag hit the widest part of your body, which creates a horizontal line that makes you look wider. If carrying a tote, choose a flatter option that doesn’t hang away from the body.
V-Necklines
V-necklines draw the eye down, which makes your torso look longer. They come in all depths, and the lower they are, the longer your neck and torso appear. Crew and boat necks are flattering for narrow shoulders, but they do create a horizontal line that moves the eye sideways, which impacts the vertical line you’re trying to create.
You may also enjoy Fashion Pitfalls For Petite Women Over 50 and Ways To Avoid Them
Accessories
Long necklaces, earrings, and scarves draw the eye up and down. Necklaces that fit inside the neckline of your top can shorten your look, so play with proportions and check in the mirror.
Vertical Lines
Vertical stripes, princess seams, and pleats draw the eye up and down which creates the illusion of height. Avoid horizontal lines, which make you look wider. I love horizontal stripes as much as the next woman, but I reserve them for my torso, which is on the longer side.
Sleeves
Slim sleeves have the most streamlined look. A 3/4 sleeve will also help you look taller, so the simple act of pushing up your sleeves to expose your wrists and show a bit of skin will helps you appear taller.
Find a Tailor
Few items come off the rack fitting us perfectly, so find a good tailor in your area. Clothes that are altered to fit you perfectly make a big improvement in any outfit.
Posture
Wear a good-fitting bra and stand tall with your shoulders back. This will naturally add height to your appearance.
What styling tips do you use to look taller?
Great article! I’m 5’ 2”. I wear a 34G bra and it’s been so
frustrating to find clothes that fit without drawing attention to my bust. I’m only an 8 on the bottom which makes it even more challenging.
I really appreciate all your help. I am 5’2 and 215 lbs so i need all the help i can possibly get. Thank you thank you.
I think what your saying is so true. I’m a 5”3’ and am over weight woman with narrow shoulders and small “boobs”. Very hard to dress and look nice in my clothes. And I’m over 70 so styling is very important as well as fit. Short legs are very hard to fit in anything. I don’t ever ember buying anything tha doesn’t have to be altered.
Thank you for your advice for the petite woman. I am a pear shaped petite and slowly goin to under 5 feet and need all the help I can get.
I’m glad it helped.
Wondering if the tops with bare shoulders but longer sleeves make a shorter person look shorter and wider??.
Bare shoulder tops with a vertical line certainly draw the eye out and make your shoulders look wider. I find longer sleeves make me look shorter too.
As someone who is 4 feet, 11 inches I am an expert on petite dressing. All of your tips are great and make sense.
The one suggestion I would add is tailoring. Petites are made for women under 5 feet, 4 inches so for many women even petites need tailoring. Yes it is extra money but it can make a huge difference. As you mentioned shorter people should not wear drippy clothing it makes you look like a child playing dress up. Yet many women wear dresses dragging on the floor, sleeves down to their fingertips, and pants rolled up instead of going to a tailor. Do yourself a favor and find a good tailor – which can be difficult as it is a dying art – and at least for business and dressy clothing – get everything fitted to you.
Great advise. I am also under 5’. Rare do I find a perfect fit.
I’ve just met you and have spent my saturday afternoon with you!! I am in a style rut at 59!! I love your suggestions for being well styled and age appropriate. I am 5’11” tall and still use all the techniques you’ve suggested to make the body looks taller and slimmer. I always look for a v-neck top and can’t understand why Talbots and Chico’s don’t offer more v-neck styles knowing that it flatters the figure more than a crew neck which I feel makes me look and feel broader in the torso. I completely agree with you regarding wearing heels to increase body length but even a lower heel, as opposed to a flat shoe, makes you ‘feel’ slimmer inside!! If you ‘feel’ you look attractive – you probably are!!! Thanks for sharing your fashion insight!!
Welcome, Karen! I’m so glad you’ve joined us.
Love your style suggestions, I’m glad I am doing some of your suggestions already, so am very encouraged, I’m only 5’2 and 175 lb. so need all the help I can get.
I’m new to your website and am enjoying the information. Your tips for wearing clothing that make you look taller/slimmer are very helpful. Do you ever wonder why there are not more tops with vertical stripes (vs. horizontal) for women — especially when the horizontal stripes emphasize the hip area? Maybe it’s because clothing designers have only super trim and tall women in mind.
You look amazing. What size do you wear? I wear a 4 but I think I look much bigger than you. Are you a 2 or zero? Anyway you size it, I love your style and you look amazing!
Thank you! Depending on the brand, I wear an 8 on top and a 6 on the bottom.
Great tips!
Considering I am 5 foot tall all the tips to look taller are much appreciated.
I agree.
thank you.
2 things will help you look taller and slimmer…
1. Wear a good fitting bra. Make sure your breasts are well supported and not drooping
2. Stand with a straight back as much as you can. Always be aware that you have good posture.
I wish someone would have said this to me when I was young. I can no longer stand up straight. my back is permanently bent. Posture is so important.
What bras are best for droopy breasts I am 5 feet tall size 14 and the bra size I have now is 38 D Cacique but is very old and I am looking for something better thank you
If there is a Soma near you, go in and have them size you. They can suggest the right type bra for what your needs are.
Dillard or Nordstrom have people trained to fit you. Don’t be shocked to find out that you may actually NOT be wearing the correct size. Worth the time and $
I wear a Bali underwire minimize.
I’m 5’2” 36DD and they have great support. If you don’t want your breast’s to look a bit smaller….. just buy an underwire. Go to Bali .com, they run great deals!!!!
I wear Glamorize found on line. I am also a shorty and the girl’s are no longer saluting the sun! I wear their Wonderwire, front close, underwire, racer back, unpadded bra, which fits perfectly and there’s no stap issues. I also like the quality. I never put them in the dryer, so they last for years but are pricey if you don’t find them on their frequent sales ( going on now!). Worth every penny. Try them because if they don’t fit or you don’t like them, you can return.
I’m also about 5’ and wear 38D.
I’ve found that Wacoal makes great bras for women like us!
BF
Wacoal makes great bras. I have been asked what bra I have on by total strangers. I am a 38-40 D, also 5 feel tall.
The best bra fitting I’ve ever had was at Nordstrom!
A good fitting bra is essential. You can easily spend $200 but it is worth every penny. Somebody once pointed out to me that many women wear their breasts under their arms. But a good fitting bra will make year silhouette appear slimmer because the sides are smoother.
Carrying a smaller purse was a good tip for me, although a tote is necessary sometimes.
Is it acceptable to carry a vintage, small beaded wedding purse when wearing jeans and a white shirt?
Of course! That sounds fun. I love the idea
Thank you, I may just try that, it does sounds like fun.
Love this site. The tips for short women were so helpful and the pictures showing examples made it all come together.
Thanks
Please add do’s and don’ts pictures of shoes for petite women over 50. Hard to find comfortable shoes that make me look polished with my nice clothes.
These are great tips! I’m only 5’1″ so I was pleased to read that I’m already doing some of these things! One I had not thought about was carrying a smaller bag. I always seem to carry HUGE bags that look like they are holding everything but my kitchen sink. Hmmm… I totally see that this is NOT a good idea any more. 😉
It’s all about proportion Camille. I love large bags but their size does not flatter me.
Jennifer, this is a great post. I am 5ft tall, due to age related shrinking. Used to be
5ft 2 1/4 … so this post is the equivalent of receiving a lovely gift
Thank you????
Looking taller has never been my objective. I do follow some of these suggestions simply because they are good proportion principles and pleasing to the eye. The human eye likes balance. Face it: everyone knows if we’re petite or plus size or whatever. Clothing won’t change that (only in our own minds), but well-chosen clothing can help us look sharp, feel better and put our best foot forward. That’s a worthy pursuit.
Humans do prefer visual symmetry, Binky. For those of us with less than perfectly symmetrical shapes, the choice of garment can give the illusion of balance which alters our appearance to everyone. Line and proportion are powerful tools we can use to change much about our appearance.
Yes! ❤️
Thanks for the tips Jennifer, at barely 5′ on a good day I can use all the tips I can get. I’m still smitten with that linen duster!
Great tips! The one I hadn’t thought of is the size of purses. I’ll have to give that more thought. I too find long cardigans challenging to wear in cold weather because of the coats that are suitable to wear over them but I think they are great to wear!
Great informative post. At 5’7″ I’ve never felt the need to try to look taller, but instinctively have followed a few of these suggestions.
Someone asked about what coats to wear over long dusters. I wear long dusters all year long and I will wear a long wrap coat in fall over top or a heavier long wool coat in winter. I guess the advantage of living in a cold climate is that I’ve accumulated many different style coats over the years.
BTW – I think you look great in the white jeans and top with the denim jacket.
Thanks Yvonne. I have lots of coats too because we’ve lived in many different climates.