How to look taller and slimmer

Despite being closer to tall than petite on the height spectrum, I’m always on the lookout for visual tips and tricks that will give me the appearance of looking taller, or at very least, balance out my proportions. I’m 5’8” or 172cm tall, and carry more of my height in my torso, and over the years, I’ver learned a thing or two about how to flatter my body type, which have the added bonus of making me look taller and slimmer.

So to mark the second part of my series on tips to look taller over on my YT channel, I wanted to consolidate all of those tips in the one place for easy reference. I didn’t quite have the foresight to do this when filming part one of the series, but I do have some before and after examples for a number of these tips so you can visually see how these simple styling tricks will truly enhance how tall you appear.

Wear monochrome

I think we probably have Kim Kardashian to thank for this trend, but it’s actually a fantastic trick to visually add inches to your height. Wearing the same colour scheme – without too much contrast – creates a column, geometrically speaking, which enhances your height. Aside from looking chic, it’s also very flattering on petites, and is one of the simplest tricks to look taller (and slimmer too!).

Pointed toe shoes

A good podiatrist would probably wince at this tip, but a pointed toe shoe is one of my favourite ways to lengthen my legs. It makes your feet and therefore your legs look longer as it draws the end downwards, and is an instant height-enhancer.

Tuck in your tops

As a kid, I couldn’t think of anything worse than tucking in my tops. It was too… uptight or buttoned up. These days, I’m all for it. An untucked top will lengthen your torso, and have the effect of shortening your legs by proxy. If you tucked it in (especially when combined with a mid to high rise), you’ll define your waist and make your legs look longer.

Avoid loose dresses

This isn’t for you tall girls out there – I know I can get away with a loose dress – but if you’re petite, it can swamp your frame and make you look smaller. Sheath dresses or styles that show off your waist and frame are much better suited if you’re trying to look taller, as they’ll define your figure and stretch your silhouette upwards.

Balanced proportions

This tip carries on from the previous one, but it’s to avoid anything too oversized and manage your proportions through carefully selected styling options. This is key to looking stylish and pulled together every day (in my opinion). I like to either opt for something loose on top and fitted on bottom, or vice versa. When it comes to oversized pieces, there really can be too much of a good thing.

Vertical stripes

I love a good breton as much as the next girl, but visually if you want to enhance your height and look taller, they aren’t the best choice. A horizontal stripe will make you look shorter and wider, whereas a vertical stripe will lengthen your body, make you look leaner and taller.

Carry a small bag

Big bags don’t seem to be quite in vogue as much now as they used to be, which is probably a good thing if you’re a petite. A large bag will only accentuate how small you are. Opt for a small or medium sized bag which will be more in proportion with your frame. It’ll be balanced, and make you visually appear like you have a bit of additional height.

Wear cropped tops

This is a really good trick to balance out your proportions, especially if you have a shorter torso. It gives the illusion that your natural waist sits a little higher than it does, particularly when combined with high waisted trousers or a skirt. This makes your legs look longer, which in turn is a good aid in making you look taller. You can even show a slither of skin to differentiate between your upper and lower body, which can also lend itself well to balancing out your proportions.

Avoid wide belts

A wide belt is a great fashion statement, but if you’re petite, it can exaggerate how small you actually are (and also make you look wider!). Our waist tends to be the narrowest part of our frame, and a wide belt glosses over that detail, creating a large line which can stretch your body horizontally.

Keep prints in proportion

I tend to favour classic or timeless prints, just as I think they look more high end and elevate your outfit, but it can actually play a role in visually enhancing your height, too. Keep prints in scale with your frame – if they’re large, they’ll make you look small, whereas if they’re smaller, they’ll make you look taller.

Crop your jackets

Especially if you’re very petite, a long or voluminous jacket can have the effect of visually shortening your legs. Opt for something cropped – it’ll be much more in proportion to your frame, it raises the eye up, creates definition at your natural waist and adds balance. If you do want to opt for a longer jacket and still want to look tall, go for something that is long in length and has a good drape to it. It shouldn’t be too bulky, as the movement will make it look more fluid and like it was made for you.

Wear a mini skirt

I tend to dress a little on the conservative side, but a good mini skirt can do wonders for your ‘visual’ height. Something that cuts off approximately four to five inches above the knee will make your legs look longer (seriously #legsfordays). I like to opt for a high waisted style as I find that helps to add to the illusion.

Match trousers with shoes

Similar to the monochromatic outfit trick, this extends the visual line of your trousers, drawing the eye downwards and making your legs appear longer. Opt for a pointed toe to enhance the effect.

Wear nude shoes

Nude shoes are a wardrobe classic for good reason – they’re simple to pair with your outfits, but they’re also tremendously flattering. Opt for something close to your skin tone, as it’ll blend in and make those legs look they go on forever.

Mid or high-rise denim

With a long torso, I can’t do low rise anything – it’s unflattering and highlights the disparity of my proportions. A mid or high rise jean is a staple in my wardrobe and for good reason, in addition to balancing out my frame, it also raises the visual appearance of where your waist sits. As our legs start from just below the waist, this has a flattering leg-lengthening effect.

Wear high-waisted styles

Carrying on from my previous tip, try and prioritise wearing high-waisted styles, especially when wearing a longer hemline. Particularly when you’ve thrown on a skirt, this raises your natural waist, and the starting point of your legs visually, making you look taller.

Crop your trousers

I use this trick all the time when shopping for my closet – a cropped trouser will be your best friend. Wearing trousers that are cut a little above the ankle will make it appear like you are too tall for the trousers. It will instantly add inches to your height.

Find a good tailor

And my final tip; find a good tailor. Ill-fitting clothing can swamp you, skew your proportions, or just look unflattering. Getting things tailored – taken in here, a hemline raised there – can make all the difference, and make your wardrobe look like it was made for you. It’s not a direct tip to making you look taller and slimmer, but in my experience it’s had the added bonus of both!