Fashion expert shares 12+ things to never wear if you’re under 5’3″

There are a lot of reasons why petite women want to dress to look taller. Of course, the number one reason is to look taller! Let’s face it, in today’s world, sometimes shorter people are overlooked and assumed to not be as qualified as their taller counterparts. It doesn’t make sense but it happens.

That’s why a lot of petite women have chosen to be more strategic with their choice of clothes. Some women choose to look taller in their clothes, though, for aesthetic purposes.

So, how to you do it? Let’s begin with:

Avoid low-rise jeans

source: YouTube

Low-rise jeans tend to start at the hips just above the thighs. While there are a lot of cute low-rise jeans, it doesn’t do your short legs any favor. It just emphasizes the short legs that you already know you have and will be showing the world you have.

What should you wear then? Continue reading.

Choose either mid-rise or high-rise

Because high-rise jeans sit above your belly or your waist, it gives the illusion that you have longer legs. If you have a long torso with short legs, you can also opt for mid-rise jeans and it works the same.

Avoid mid-calf boots or shoes

When you wear boots or shoes that end in the middle of your calf, you’re cutting your legs in half. So your short legs have now become even shorter.

Instead, choose an ankle boot

Ankle boots, which end just above or at the ankle, are a great choice. They leave more of your legs exposed and create a longer line from your feet to your hemline.

Above the knee works well too

Knee-high boots can elongate your legs and make you appear taller, as they cover a significant portion of your lower leg, leaving only a small gap between the hem of your pants or skirt and the top of the boots. This is especially beneficial if you have a rectangle body shape or an inverted triangle body shape.

Avoid buckling at the hemline

When there is too much fabric bunched up at the hem of your clothing, it can visually shorten your legs, making you appear shorter. This is especially true with wide, baggy, or overly-long pants or skirts.

Wear longer jeans with a heeled shoe

Wearing long, high-rise jeans that end at the ankle creates a straight line that makes your legs look taller. Wearing heels adds height and lift you off the ground and makes your legs appear longer.

Take the hemline up if wearing flat shoes

You can also choose to bring the hemline higher in case you want to wear flat shoes. Keep the hemline clean and straight to lengthen your legs.

Ask the tailor to reattach the original hem

If the hemline or jeans you’re wearing had to be cut to the be the right length, ask your tailor to reattach the original hem to make it look like you bought the perfect pants.

Avoid drop waist dresses

Drop waist dresses have a distinct style where the waistline of the dress is lowered, typically around the hips or lower, rather than sitting at the natural waist. This style can visually shorten the appearance of your legs and torso, making you look shorter.

Choose a high-waist dress

A high-waist dress lengthens your body since it makes it appear that your waist is higher than it looks. Empire waist dresses or dresses where you tie a belt or ribbon higher than your waist is also a good option.

Avoid tunics

Tunics are typically loose-fitting, longer tops that extend beyond the hips and can make you appear shorter. They also often lack a well-defined waistline, which can further contribute to a less elongated appearance.

If you do wear tunics, keep it monochrome

A monochrome outfit with a tunic can work keeping in mind the other tips we’ve shared. Wearing one color from head to toe can create a vertical line that visually lengthens your body.

Avoid the “oversize” everything trend

Oversized clothes can overwhelm your frame and make you appear shorter. They can disrupt the proportions of your body and obscure your natural waistline and body contours.

Avoid flare bottoms

Flare or wide-legged bottoms can visually overwhelm a petite frame and make the legs appear shorter than they are. The added width can create a bulky and unbalanced look.

Don’t choose “wide” leg pant

Wide-leg pants break the vertical line of your silhouette, which is important for creating the illusion of height. They can also visually overwhelm your frame and make your legs appear shorter than they are.

If you choose an oversize piece, show skin when comfortable

Showing a little skin when wearing oversized clothes can indeed help create a sense of balance and make you appear taller, especially when dealing with oversized or loose-fitting garments. You can do this with a V-neck top or choose oversized skirts with a slit down the side.

Or, match an oversized piece with a tight-fitting piece

Matching an oversized piece with a tight-fitting piece is a great strategy to create a balanced and elongated silhouette, which can make you appear taller. By combining oversized and tight-fitting pieces, you can create a flattering and balanced look that enhances your height. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your personal style and body shape.

Avoid oversize bags

Large bags can draw attention away from your height and visually overpower your frame, making you appear shorter. A large bag can draw the eye downward as well, away from your face and upper body, which can have a shortening effect.

Avoid knee-length skirts

Knee-length skirts, while a popular and versatile choice, can visually cut your legs off at the knees, making you appear shorter. If you want to wear skirts and look taller, consider other lengths.

Wear a skirt either above or below the knee

Skirts that end above the knee can make your legs look longer, as they expose more of your legs and create a sense of height. You can wear skirts below the knee because it doesn’t “cut off the appendage” but it can still make you look shorter so pair it with high heeled-shoes.

Tuck in the top with high-waisted pants

High-waisted pants sit at or above your natural waistline, which is typically the narrowest part of your torso. Tucking in your top accentuates this waistline, creating a defined and elongated appearance.

Bring the waist up with an empire waist

The raised waistline of an empire waist creates the appearance of a longer lower body. Plus an empire waist emphasizes the area just below the bust, giving the illusion of a longer, more extended upper body.

Avoid short necklaces

Avoiding short necklaces can be a helpful tip if you want to create the illusion of looking taller. Short necklaces, particularly chokers or those that sit very close to the neckline, can visually shorten your neck and upper body.

Choose accessories that create vertical lines

By choosing necklaces that have a longer length and draw attention downward rather than across the neck, you can enhance the appearance of height. These styles help create a balanced and elongated silhouette.

Avoid horizontal stripes

Horizontal stripes, by nature, draw the eye from side to side, creating the illusion of width. This effect can make you appear shorter and may not be the best choice if you’re trying to look taller.

Vertical stripes give the illusion of height

Vertical stripes run from top to bottom and have the opposite effect of horizontal stripes.

Avoid clothing that makes you look boxy

Steer clear of overly loose, shapeless garments that hang straight down from the shoulders. It can make you look shorter and wider than you really look.

Choose clothing that balances your look

Choosing clothes that fit you correctly will highlight your natural curves and proportions, creating a more balanced look.

Avoid long blazers

Long blazers, especially those that extend well below the hip or to the mid-thigh, can visually shorten your legs and make you appear shorter.

Choose a cropped blazer

Cropped blazers, which typically end at or just above the hip, can create a more balanced and elongated appearance. They highlight your waistline and expose more of your lower body, making you look taller.

Don’t “cut” your body in half

Avoiding clothing that visually “cuts” your body in half is a good tip if you want to create a more elongated and balanced silhouette. When your clothing creates a distinct horizontal line across your body, it can make you appear shorter and disrupt the perception of height.

Create a “column” of color

Creating a “column” of color involves wearing a single color from head to toe or using a monochromatic color scheme to create a continuous vertical line. This technique minimizes visual interruptions and creates a seamless, unbroken appearance.

Roll up your pants and choose a flesh-colored shoe

Roll up the cuffs of your pants, so they sit just above your ankle or mid-calf. This will create the impression of longer legs. Wearing shoes that closely match your skin tone create a seamless transition between your legs and footwear. This makes your legs look like they continue, which contributes to the perception of height.

Roll up your sleeves

Rolling up your sleeves is a simple yet effective styling technique that can contribute to a more balanced and elongated appearance. It draws attention to your wrists and forearms, creating a visual break in your outfit and allowing your arms to look longer.

Show your ankles

When you reveal your ankles, you add an element of visual interest and a break in the outfit that can make your legs appear more extended.

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Article Sources:

YouTube – Dearly Bethany

YouTube – Diya Dress

YouTube – Dearly Bethany

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