Body Type
January 24, 2018
Can you barely squeeze your legs into a pair of boots because your calves are so wide? Have you given up wearing dresses because you don’t want anyone to see your large ankles?
You may not be able to change your muscular legs or the heavy ankles mother nature gave you, but you can make them a lot less noticeable. Here are some Dressing Tips to magically slim calves and ankles and feel less self-conscious.
Women with thick calves: Jessica Simpson, Ricki Lake, Helen Mirren, Alicia Keys -You’re in good company.
Wondering How to Make Your Calves Appear Smaller?
Try a Full Skirt
Heavy legs and ankles may make you feel like you can’t wear a skirt, but it’s simply not the case. The general rule is, the wider the hemline, the slimmer your legs look.
Narrow pencil skirtsthat taper inward or any skirt that clings will emphasize the size of your lower legs. Instead, opt for swingy full or A-line cut skirts. These are the perfect dresses for big legs because they make your calves and ankles seem narrower by contrast.
As for the best skirt length? It’s just around the knees, either just above or slightly below, wherever you’d say is the narrowest part of your leg. It’s best if the hem is plain with no fancy stitching or embellishment.
Some women prefer a tea-length skirt to cover muscular calves, and this can sometimes work so long as 1) the skirt doesn’t stop right before or right at mid-calf (emphasizing the problem spot), 2. you wear your tea-length skirt with a modern shoe, as this length can sometimes look frumpy.
Other skirts or dresses for thick legs are maxis. They cover the problem area altogether. A maxi dress that ends at the ankle and has a high side slit adds some allure.
Wear Dark Pants
Pants are the obvious choice to cover your legs, but some pants are better than others. Your best bet is a pair of solid-colored pants in a dark color. A solid color is more slimming than patterned pants ( ie: plaid) A dark color like dark burgundy will visually shrink your legs verses a bright or light color like light yellow.
Think Twice about Skinny Jeans
Tapered, skinny jeans that cling tightly to your legs will emphasize your calves. Instead, wear straight leg, bootcut or wide legs jeans to help camouflage the problem.
Avoid Cropped Pants and Capris
Capris and short cropped pants draw the eye to the fullest part of your calves and ankles, making your legs look stumpy.
Shift Attention Up Top
Another great dressing trick is: If you don’t want people looking at your legs, distract them. Wear dark colors below your waist and highlight your top half by wearing lighter colors near your face. Restrict prints to your upper body, and use fun accessories like scarves and jewelry to draw the eye up and away from thick calves and ankles.
Wear Tights
Dark opaque tights with matching dark shoes will make your legs look slender. Add a black skirt or dress into the mix, and your legs will appear to go on for miles. Avoid contrasting or patterned tights, as they will become an unflattering focal point.
The Best Shoes for Thick Ankles and Calves Have
Chunky Heels
Your calves and ankles will looks slimmer if you wear shoes that make you look tall. Your best choice are medium-height shoes with a chunky heel. Chunky heels are more in sync with shape of your calves and ankles, compared with skinny stilettos or tiny kitten heels that exaggerate large calves. The thicker your legs, the thicker and sturdier your heel should be. Wedge and platform shoes work well too.
If you want to wear flats then try a pointed toe ballet flat or peep toe shoes The open part of the shoe exposes more of your feet elongating your legs and de-emphasizing heavy ankles and legs.
No Ankle Straps
Any strap around your ankles or ties lacing up your calves (i.e., tie-up espadrilles) draws attention to these trouble spots making your legs and ankles look extra large. The best shoes are a mule or a slide since they are open at the back and around the ankles which elongates your legs. A slingback shoe with a high sturdy heel is fine too.
Pointy Toe
Round-toe shoes make legs look shorter and heavier, while pointy-toe shoes make your feel look longer and your legs slimmer.
Low Vamp
The lower the vamp, the longer and slimmer your leg will appear. So instead of a high top shoe, go for one that cuts into the foot exposing more skin.
Nude Colored
When you match your skin color to your shoes, your legs gain a few inches. This will make you look taller, so your calves look slimmer.
The Best Boots for Thick Calves and Ankles
Tall, Wide Boots
A tall dress or a riding boot is excellent for large calves. Knee-high boots with some detail at the top, like stitching, studs, or a tassel will draw the eye up and away from thick ankles.
Higher Ankle Booties
Yes, you can wear them but higher than the ankle is better so you don’t emphasize the thickest part of your leg. Matching stockings or pants in the same color as your booties is best since it creates one solid vertical line.
Don’t let your heavy calves or ankles drag you down! Many of the world’s top athletes, ballerinas, and celebrities have thick legs, but that doesn’t stop them from looking fabulous, so don’t let it stop you.
As a seasoned fashion enthusiast with a deep understanding of body types and dressing strategies, I've honed my expertise by delving into the nuances of personal style and fashion psychology. My knack for analyzing the intricacies of various body shapes allows me to provide practical solutions for enhancing one's appearance and boosting confidence.
Now, let's dissect the insightful article on body types and dressing tips from January 24, 2018:
Dressing Tips for Body Types: Making Calves and Ankles Appear Slimmer
1. Full Skirt Magic:
- Expert Insight: For those with heavy legs and ankles, opting for swingy full or A-line cut skirts is a brilliant strategy. The wider hemline creates a visual contrast, making calves and ankles appear narrower.
- Additional Tips: Choose skirts that end just around the knees, preferably plain with no embellishments. Tea-length skirts can work if paired with modern shoes to avoid a frumpy look.
2. Dark Pants for a Slimming Effect:
- Expert Insight: Solid-colored, dark pants, such as dark burgundy, visually shrink the legs. Avoid patterned pants (e.g., plaid) for a more slimming effect.
- Additional Tips: Embrace straight leg, bootcut, or wide-leg jeans instead of tapered, skinny jeans to camouflage and de-emphasize the calves.
3. Avoid Cropped Pants and Capris:
- Expert Insight: Capris and cropped pants draw attention to the fullest part of calves and ankles, creating a stumpy appearance.
4. Shift Attention Up Top:
- Expert Insight: Distract from lower leg concerns by wearing dark colors below the waist and lighter colors near the face. Use prints and accessories strategically to draw attention upwards.
5. Embrace Tights:
- Expert Insight: Dark opaque tights with matching dark shoes create a slenderizing effect. Avoid contrasting or patterned tights that can become focal points.
6. Optimal Shoes for Thick Ankles and Calves:
- Expert Insight: Choose medium-height shoes with chunky heels for a slimmer appearance. Wedge and platform shoes are suitable alternatives. Pointy toe flats or peep toe shoes elongate the legs.
7. No Ankle Straps:
- Expert Insight: Avoid ankle straps or ties around calves, as they draw attention to trouble spots. Open-back shoes like mules or slides elongate the legs.
8. Pointy Toe and Low Vamp:
- Expert Insight: Pointy-toe shoes make legs look longer and slimmer, while a lower vamp creates the illusion of longer legs.
9. Nude-Colored Shoes:
- Expert Insight: Matching shoes to your skin color adds height, making the legs appear slimmer.
10. Best Boots for Thick Calves and Ankles:
- Expert Insight: Tall, wide boots with details at the top, such as stitching or studs, draw the eye upward. Higher ankle booties are preferable to avoid emphasizing the thickest part of the leg.
In conclusion, these dressing tips cater to individuals with muscular calves and ankles, providing a comprehensive guide to enhance their style and boost confidence. Remember, fashion is a powerful tool, and with the right strategies, anyone can look and feel fabulous, regardless of their body type.
