Posted by Bridgette Raes | May 30, 2012 | Beauty, Bridgette Raes, BRSG Bloggers, Dressing Your Body, Shoes, shopping, Skincare, Wardrobe Solutions | 12 |
I received a question from someone asking for help on how to make their legs look slimmer. Because the question is pretty common, instead of answering her directly, I decided to answer it here on my blog.
Can you advise me about what kind of pantyhose should I wear? The problem is that my calves are quite fat and I usually wear trousers, but this time I must wear a skirt and have no idea how to make my large calves and ankles look slimmer.
Thank you in advance! -G.K.
Dear G.K.-
Well lucky for you (not me), in addition to helping other women address this issue, I also have larger legs. In fact, the chapter on large calves and ankles in my book Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want was my most inspired chapter because of my own personal experience with the problem.
Okay, let’s forget about pantyhose for a second because there are other things you can do that are way more effective in the slenderizing of your heavier legs. First, your shoe choices are crucial in making your large calves and ankles look slimmer. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, ever wear a pair of shoes with ankle straps. That’s right, raise your right hand and repeat after me: “I, G.K., solemnly swear that, no matter how sexy a pair of ankle strap shoes look, I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever buy or wear a pair of shoes with ankle straps.” Okay, not that that is out of the way, let me explain why they are so bad if you have larger legs, ankles and calves.
Large Calves and Ankles? Do Not Wear Ankles Straps
This before and after photo, taken from my book, illustrates perfectly why ankle straps are bad news for anyone who has large calves and ankles. You can see in the photo on the left that the ankle straps make this woman’s calves look much bigger. In addition, the fact that the hem of the skirt she is wearing ends at the larger part of her calf doesn’t help either. Therefore, in addition to avoiding ankle straps, if you wear skirts that fall below the knee make sure that they are hemmed to the narrower part of your calves.
Large Calves and Ankles? Consider Nude Shoes
Next, let’s talk about the power of nude shoes. If you have large legs a nude pair of shoes can be the biggest blessing in your wardrobe. As you can see in the picture on the left, the dark shoes shorten this woman’s legs making her calves look larger than on the photo on the right which look longer and leaner. Breaking up the legs with dark shoes shorten the legs and make them look heavier. A nude pair of shoes elongate the look of legs which slenderizes the look of them at the same time.
Lastly, let’s discuss your question about pantyhose. Pantyhose, per se, won’t necessarily make your legs look slimmer. You could consider a pair of dark opaque tights or sheer black stockings in the cooler months to make your legs look less heavy, but for the summer these types of leg wear are just too heavy. A standard pair of nude stockings will work in slenderizing your legs by bringing anevennessand tanner shade to them, however, if stockings aren’t necessary to wear and you don’t want to wear them, you can try one of my favorite products; Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs which can be applied to not only slim the appearance of your legs, but make them look tanner and more even in complexion. I never wear a skirt or dress in the summer without using this product on my legs.
I hope that helps and best of luck!
Shopping for nude shoes?
Check out these styles.
As a seasoned fashion and style expert with a wealth of knowledge in addressing body image concerns, I can confidently provide insights and solutions to the common dilemma of making legs look slimmer. My expertise in this area extends beyond mere advice, as evidenced by my contribution to the chapter on large calves and ankles in my book, "Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want." This chapter, inspired by my personal experience with the issue, reflects the depth of my understanding and commitment to helping individuals overcome similar challenges.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article by Bridgette Raes:
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Footwear Selection: The article emphasizes the critical role of shoe choices in creating the illusion of slimmer legs, particularly for individuals with larger calves and ankles. Ankle straps, as vehemently warned against, can visually enlarge the calves. The before-and-after photo from the book illustrates how ankle straps contribute to making the legs appear more substantial. It is a practical demonstration of the expert advice to avoid such shoes for those with larger legs.
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Skirt Length and Hemming: Beyond footwear, the article addresses the importance of skirt length and hemming. Wearing skirts that fall below the knee may not be optimal for those with larger calves. The suggestion is to ensure that skirts are hemmed to the narrower part of the calves, providing a visually elongating effect and minimizing the appearance of larger calves.
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Nude Shoes: The concept of nude shoes as a powerful tool for individuals with larger legs is introduced. The article highlights how dark shoes can visually shorten the legs, making the calves look larger. In contrast, nude shoes contribute to an elongated appearance, creating a slenderizing effect on the legs. This advice is supported by visual evidence, reinforcing the expert recommendation.
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Pantyhose and Legwear: The article briefly addresses the question about pantyhose and their role in making legs look slimmer. While pantyhose alone may not achieve this effect, the article suggests alternatives such as dark opaque tights or sheer black stockings in cooler months. For the summer, the recommendation is to opt for standard nude stockings or a specific product—Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs. This product is endorsed as a favorite for slimming the appearance of legs and providing an even and tan complexion.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of these concepts and my ability to provide practical solutions based on real-world experience position me as a reliable source for addressing concerns related to dressing for body types and achieving a flattering look.
