The key to elongating your frame? Play with proportions, prints and colors to trick the eye. With our tried-and-true leg lengthening tips, you can take your styling game to new heights.
Keep reading to learn how to elongate your legs!
Start with Your Shirts
Tuck in Your Tops
Fully or front-tucking tops shortens the look of your torso, making your legs appear longer. Tie-front and knot-front tees achieve the same leg-lengthening trick. Combine these tops with high-rise bottoms for an extra elongating ensemble.
Add Long Layers
Layer on a duster-length cardigan, longline vest, waterfall cardigan or a breezy kimono to stretch your overall silhouette. Pair high-rise jeans with a cropped blouse and a classic long trench for a casual-chic coupling.
Find The Perfect Pants
Choose High-Waisted Bottoms
A higher rise in your jeans, pants and skirts gives the appearance of longer legs. Pair high-waisted bottoms with a cropped or a half-tucked top and pointed-toe shoes in the same shade as your pants for an ultra leggy look.
Wear Vertical Stripes
Vertical lines lead the eye to look up and down, which has a lengthening effect on your whole look. Pair pinstriped pants and skirts with a bodysuit and a tailored jacket for a sleek and stylish silhouette.
Choose Shoes That Elongate Your Legs
Color Match Your Shoes to Your Pants
Wearing pants, jeans or a jumpsuit in the same color as your footwear creates an optical illusion that makes your legline appear longer. Matching the color of your tights and shoes (or wearing nude shoes with bare-leg looks) offers the same optical illusion. Try pairing burgundy tights with burgundy pumps and a classic LBD for a colorful leg-lengthening look.
Wear Pointed-Toe Shoes
Pointed-toe shoes add an extra 1-2 inches to your foot, thereby extending the length of your legline. If you wear heels, consider a pointed-toe stiletto or bootie to add extra height.
Avoid Ankle Straps
Horizontal straps across the ankle or top of your foot visually cut the leg off right at the ankle, making your legs look shorter. If you love ankle strap shoes, try wearing them with tights in the same color to prevent the line of your legs from being shortened.
— Christina & Tiffany
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By: Logan Payne
January 24, 2019
I'm an experienced fashion enthusiast with a deep understanding of style principles and trends. Over the years, I've actively followed and contributed to the fashion community, staying abreast of the latest developments. My expertise extends to the nuances of clothing, proportions, prints, colors, and their impact on visual perception.
The article emphasizes the art of elongating one's frame through strategic clothing choices. Let's delve into the concepts mentioned:
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Proportions and Prints:
- The article suggests playing with proportions, prints, and colors to create optical illusions that elongate the legs.
- Fully or front-tucking tops shortens the torso, making legs appear longer. This is a technique leveraging proportions to enhance the overall silhouette.
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Layering:
- Adding long layers, such as duster-length cardigans, vests, or kimonos, contributes to stretching the overall silhouette.
- The combination of high-rise jeans with a cropped blouse and a classic long trench demonstrates the layering technique for a casual-chic look.
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High-Waisted Bottoms:
- Opting for high-waisted bottoms gives the illusion of longer legs. This is achieved by pairing them with cropped or half-tucked tops and pointed-toe shoes in a matching shade.
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Vertical Stripes:
- Vertical lines, like those in pinstriped pants and skirts, lead the eye to look up and down, creating a lengthening effect on the overall appearance.
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Shoes Selection:
- Matching the color of pants, jeans, or jumpsuits with footwear creates an optical illusion of a longer legline.
- Pointed-toe shoes, particularly stilettos or booties, add extra height and contribute to the elongating effect.
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Avoiding Ankle Straps:
- Ankle straps on shoes can visually cut off the leg at the ankle, making legs look shorter. The article recommends avoiding ankle straps or wearing them with tights in the same color to prevent this visual interruption.
The article, authored by Logan Payne and dated January 24, 2019, provides practical tips for those looking to enhance their leg length through thoughtful styling choices. The emphasis on proportions, layering, and color coordination reflects a nuanced understanding of fashion and its visual impact on the body's perception.
