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.
You may also enjoy- Are Capri Pants Out Of Style For 2024
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?
Ha! Nude shoes! Socks and shoes to match pants! Very helpful, thank you!
Holy cow! This post resulted in so many comments. I started adult-hood as 5’7”. I’m around 5’6″” now. We do shrink with age, sadly. Perhaps not everyone, but many . These style tips work for everyone.
Thanks, Jennifer. Your posts are always spot on. And you look terrific in everything you modeled.
Thanks Nancy
Love the look of the silver sandals you are wearing under your high waisted black pants. What brand are they?
These are from Walmart several years ago.
Very helpful Jennifer! Especially about the earrings and long jewelry. Wearing smaller bags is also a very good tip. Like you I have broad shoulders and long arms and short legs. Petite pants are getting longer and are difficult to shorten with the deep hems. I’m now 5’ 1 1/2” tall. My bad feet need soft thick soles so I wear Skechers, Easy Spirit emoves and Brooks sneakers which all give me height. I have a pale blue tee and jeans like yours and love dressing in a column of color.
I’ve noticed them getting longer too!!
Thanks for your post today. I am just plain frumpy. I enjoyed your bra comments from readers. Have a blessed day.
My readers have some fabulous suggestions.
Love tips ! Im5’2” and in my 70s . I agree with these and have learned from you .. a good bra is a necessity .underwire matters if you are DD FOR SURE . I SEe many older ladies looking saggy and wearing baggy clothes too. I love monochromatic looks with fun jackets and accessories . Chicos sales have soo many nice choices and good fits ! Thank you for tips ..
Since I am 5’1 I really appreciate all these great tips! I’ve used many. One thing that I find hard to find are small handbags. The ones you showed were awesome!
I struggle with small bags because I have to carry sunglasses for my sensitive eyes and the case takes up a lot of space.
I know what you mean. Many times I have to leave my sunglasses in the car or just wear them.
Hi there, great tips but for me posture is my weakness as I have got older I stoop more and if out shopping and catch a glimpse of myself in a shop window I cringe. It definitely makes you look small so I do try to hold my self upright . I wear good bras following breast surgery they do help. I wear mostly column dressing like the photo of you in the gorgeous light blue jumper and trousers (pants) that would be my best tip. I am 5ft 2ins slim
but shrinking aghast! I am 70 I will also take on board readers tips and yours too. Back to column dressing I always wear a contrasting coloured jacket as it would be too much wearing that in same colour . As I am typing this I am SLOUCHING tut tut gosh it’s naughty go me .
Self discipline Pamela! Have you tried reading the Alexander Technique it’s great as it focuses mainly on holding our selves correctly in everyday tasks .
It doesn’t help with shrinking though lol.
Regards Pamela UK .
Posture is challenging the older I get too. I haven’t read the Alexander technique. It sounds like a smart idea.
I love your tips for short ladies! I am barely 5’0 feet after having 2 back surgeries, I’ve been buying cropped jackets for the last few years after seeing myself in pictures when I worked. Awful!! I have several dusters, and if they are too long, they go to my seamstress. Also, I can’t wear high heels anymore, so I try to get wedges, or something that gives a little more height.
Loved your whole article. I am 80 and barely 5 foot 2, long wasted and short legged. I find it really hard to find pants short enough. Loved all of your suggestions. Look forward to more articles.
Thank you, I am 5’2 and round in the middle, I am retired never needed much fashion as I worked in a plant, hard hat, steel toe boots, jeans and T-shirt, but now I need to have a new look, Thank you for all the tips and look forward to your post!
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Wonderful tips, I always feel a teensy bit frumpy sometimes. But I recently purchased a gorgeous Free People (Nordstroms) long sweater that hit me at the correct length on my leg. This and your proportion article has motivated me to bring two dusters to a local cleaners that does amazing alterations and have them shortened to the proper length so I’ll wear them this fall, rather than keep them in the back of my closet. A recent doctor visit confirmed I’ve lost an inch in height, I’m 5″4′ , no longer 5″5′ which an inch amazing does change proportion…thanks for all your hints……
That’s a great idea, Nancy. Alterations make a world of difference!
In this post about appearing taller I don’t see any shopping information for your first outfit which is pale blue and I especially love the wedge heels that you have on – can you let us know where those particular shoes can be purchased? Very pale blue or aqua with a wedge cross straps and a black and white buckle – thank you
I’m sorry, they’re quite old
Jennifer, thanks for your tips. You do look taller and slimmer. I will adopt some of your tips, having lost 2 inches due to disc degeneration. I can’t believe that I am now “petite.” Read your blog every day. Keep up the good work.
Patsy, I used to order from stitch fix. They rarely sent petite clothing. I switched to short story. Their all about petite clothing. You may want to try them.
Jennifer, this was great information.
Thank you 🙏
Great advice Jennifer! Since I’ve lost an inch since 2018 I need all the help I can get.
Love the first photo of you in pink too and white pants with pretty white sandals?
Great look and you do look taller.
Happy 4th July!
I’m tall, 5’9”, I’ve never tried to appear taller, thinner yes 👍. To do that, I’ve always dressed as you suggested, all one color, no belts, solids, no flowery prints, etc. Great tips!
Ha, ha no tricks for me, I almost 6’! However, I do subscribe to some of your suggestions because while they may make you look taller they also make you look slimmer. Columns of color, shoes in same shade as slacks & v necks are 3.