When you’re on the petite side, it can be hard finding the right type of clothes that won’t swamp you or end up making you look like a teenager. But no fret – with just a few thoughtful wardrobe picks and styling tricks, you can easily create the illusion of looking taller (and slimmer). Simply follow these 10 easy tips below:
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High waist bottoms elongate your lower body as the eye sees your waistline resting above your hips. It’s all about proportion – tuck your blouse in or opt for a crop top to show off those endless legs. The trouser leg should go down to the floor for more elongation.
Nude heels not only give you that height boost. But choosing the appropriate nude shade closest to your skin tone can make your legs look like they go on forever.
They also match pretty much anything and can provide some interesting contrast to your work #OOTDs when you wear dark coloured clothes. Avoid thick ankle straps as they’ll make your legs look stumpy.
With its silhouette that comes to a point at the toes, it’s amazing how pointed shoes instantly elongate your legs because they create the illusion of longer feet. They’re easy to pair and make you look put together even when you’re not super dressed up for work.
Embrace V-necks as they give the illusion of a longer torso. Experiment with your existing blouses and undo the first few buttons for the same effect. You can never go wrong with vertical necklines. You can also do the same by layering your blazer on a bandeau or bustier top.
A foolproof way to elongate your frame is to wear vertical stripes. As compared to horizontal stripes, they keep the eye running up and down rather than side to side. Conversely, if you want to broaden your shoulders to balance out your hips and waist, find a top with a horizontal stripe that runs across the shoulders. Check out more tips to wear stripes here!
Using a waist belt cinches the waist and gives definition when you’re wearing a loose-fitting dress or top. A chunky belt, on the other hand, can appear as though you’ve cut your body in half and make you look shorter. Our suggestion: go for a skinny belt to highlight your natural body proportions.
Wearing a short jacket to highlight where your torso ends will also make your legs appear longer. The same principle applies for crop tops too. We suggest maximising the potential of this point with high-waisted pants or skirt.
Make a statement at work by wearing prints. However, the print size should be proportional to your body frame. If you are a petite size, choose smaller prints as bigger designs will overwhelm your look.
Wearing a long necklace elongates your torso and makes you appear taller. A choker works on the opposite as it wraps around the neck and makes it look visually shorter and face rounder. You could also opt for a pendant necklace to create a lengthening V-line.
Similar to the first point on high waist pants, the same principle works for maxi skirts. Unlike midi or mini silhouettes that cut way above the length, the longer maxi length directs the eyes down to make the wearer appear longer and leaner. Another tip is to avoid a skirt that’s too voluminous and opt for something more streamlined and fitted to the body.
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Text: Loh Pui Ying/HerWorldPlus, Additional reporting: Ho Guo Xiong