How to Look Taller and Slimmer 2021
Okay, before I start this post, don’t get angry about the title. I write about what people want to know and in their clothing, many women would like to know how to look taller and slimmer.
I’m not suggesting you HAVE TO dress in order to look taller or slimmer, or that it’s necessary. But if looking taller and slimmer on any particular day is your goal, or gives you extra confidence, then some guidelines will be provided in this article.
Will it be all right to try to look taller?
It’s also okay to have such a goal.
Some days, as I look at myself, I want to dress up to appear taller.
I don’t want to dress my age for some days or think about slimness and just have fun.
Everything’s OK.
If I choose to dress to look slimmer on some particular day it doesn’t imply that I don’t embrace who I am or that I’m unsatisfied with the body I have, it just means that I want to look as tall or as slim as I can possibly be on that specific day.
Clothes are a perfect instrument for deceiving the eye and achieving the target you are seeking. In painting, it’s like using perspective. Why not use it, then?
Let’s get to it, with that out of the way!
How to look taller and thinner
There are also ways of looking slimmer and taller. Check out our tips below to look taller and slimmer and blend the best result with your heart’s delight.
1. Wear Heels
This is of course, quite a straightforward one.
One of the easiest ways of looking taller is to stop blocking too much color from the waist down. That implies using a color that coordinates your skirt or shoes with tights or stockings.
Or to match the shoes with your trousers. Doing this elongates the body down from the hips.
The choice of nude colored shoes is another great trick, particularly in the summer months when it’s too hot to wear stockings. Nude shoes work in all colors and make your legs look longer, as your leg line appears to be disrupted by a contrasting shoe color.
By adding height and enhancing your posture, you probably know the heels work magic, giving you a taller, slimmer look. But many heels are difficult to wear. Look for heels which are deceptively comfortable. With comfort touches like padding built in, brands such as Cole Haan make fashion-forward shoes.
I like my Fly London heeled shoes that are extremely comfortable and excellent for walking, but still add some height.
In order to streamline your look, you do not need to wear sky-high stilettos. 2-3″ will make a major difference in height. Some of the best heels for daily use include:
A kitten heel, in a sexy, slim heel shape with only a little bit of height
For comfort and impact resistance, a heel with a rubber sole
A stacked pump with a more stable, thicker heel
A wedge heel that provides greater support and stability
A pump or sandal for a platform. If you think about it it is more comfortable than it seems. A pump with a 2′′ platform and a 5′′ heel is simply not 5′′ big. The heel looks more like a 3′′ high pump, but a complete 5′′ lifts you up.
The adhesive Dr. Scholls Dreamwalk High Heel Gel Insoles in your heels give extra comfort to your high heels.
The insoles cushion the foot’s heel and ball, where much of the walking effect occurs. For pumps and boots, Dr. Scholls provides a full gel insole or an elastic arch-only insole for open toe heels, sling backs and sandals.
Here are some ideas that will make you look taller and slimmer for sleek, comfortable heels. There is a 2′′ to 3′′ heel on all the shoes below. Rather than stilettos, I picked wedge, block and platform heels.
Eileen Fisher wedge sandal-Lucky Brand Bootie-Sole Society slingback pump-CC Corso Como pump
Naturalizer sandal-Karl Lagerfeld slip-on sneaker-Marc Fisher LTD sandal-Toni Pons espadrille wedge
Check out our recommendation for the finest arch support shoes if you want to remain comfortable while wearing your heels.
2. With a Belt, build a Skinny Waistline
Belts are a perfect addition to your closet. Check out an older post about how to wear a belt if you want to know how to wear it.
But in addition to being a perfect fashion accessory, a belt helps cinch the waist and add the body an hourglass appearance. The ideal slimming belt that securely cinches your waistline is the latest trend in Japanese-inspired Obi belts.
Skip the contrasting belt and match the belt color to your pants or skirt if you want to use a belt to look both taller and shorter, it will give the illusion that your legs are only a little longer.
The layering gets a little bulky occasionally. But to look taller and slimmer, layering is an effective technique. If you feel there’s too much fabric on you a belt will help streamline the impact of layering. To draw the fabric in and give you curves, the easiest way to use a belt with layering is by placing the belt over your cardigan or shawl.
Oxana (above) selects a high-waisted skirt that makes it look extra long on her thighs.
With this identical printed blouse, skirt, belt, pumps, necklace, handbag and sunglasses, you can recreate her look.
Some trendy, slender belts are below:
Reversible leather belt with Tory Burch logo-Halogen square buckle leather belt-Reversible leather belt by Salvatore Ferragamo-Rebecca Minkoff stud leather belt
B-Low the Belt real calf hair belt-Rebecca Minkoff python embossed leather belt-Frye beaded leather belt-Rebecca Minkoff embossed woven leather belt
Can’t you wear a belt because your stomach is too big? You may want to check out our tips on how to cover your stomach and build lovely long lines.
3. Dress in Colour Columns
How Taller and Slimmer to Look
When used strategically, color columns help to heighten and slim the form.
The method of slimming is made up of two elements: color and layers. Think of color choice carefully. Although it’s true that black is slender, it can be boring to wear too much black and age you.
Any dark rich color can be as slender as black, so go for the new colors such as navy, dark red, merlot, dark indigo denim, or rich gray charcoal. Emerald and Forest Green are both making a big comeback.
Once a cool, slimming color has been chosen, add a cardigan, sweater, or sleeveless vest to slim and lengthen it further. A great lengthening secret is the layered jacket effect. Bring power to your color strategy columns by paying attention to the length of your legs.
Dahlia (above) picks a belt that has an elongating effect and is the same color as her pants.
Use this comparable blouse, crop jeans, slingback pumps, hoop earrings and belt to get her look.
Take a look below at more ideas for outfits that produce an elongating effect by the use of a color column:
How to look taller and slimmer: dress in bright columns
Outfit 1: Chelsea28 over tuck drape jacquard top-Lock and Love drape cardigan-Citizens of Humanity’s slim bootcut jeans-Jack Rogers slip sandal-Nordstrom leather clutch-Lafayette 148 New York long resin pendant necklace
Outfit 2: FRAME high waist flare jeans-MBJ open front cardigan-Sole Society pendant necklace-The Row sandal-Eric Javits tote-Eileen Fisher stripe boxy top-
Amalfi by Rangoni slingback pump-Mali + Lili rattan shoulder bag-ALLSAINTS oblong scarf Outfit 3: Shein t-shirt-Prosperity Denim cuffed skinny jeans-Chelsea28 shadow stripe blazer-
Wear a jacket that is short
To look taller and slimmer by wearing a short jacket
Another way to create a visual illusion is to wear a shorter jacket and to team this with long, wide pants, as well as using long vertical lines to create the illusion of being taller or slimmer.
Your chest will look shorter that way, and your legs will look longer, creating a height illusion.
Ashley (above) opts over a column of black for a short jacket.
Check out this jacket, top, trousers, necklace and mules that are identical.
Short jackets for a slimmer and taller look
BLANKNYC faux leather top, KUT from the Kloth denim jacket, tailored by Rebecca Taylor tweed jacket
Add Your Type Vertical Details
To look taller and slimmer by wearing stripes
Instead of horizontal ones, use straight, vertical lines, prints and seams.
By obliging the eyes to scan up and down instead of horizontally, vertical details will lengthen you and help with the illusion of a taller and slimmer body. Like piping or a tuxedo stripe, the detail can be subtle. Or a cutout of a two-tone hourglass on a shirt.
Melinda (above is going for a vertical-striped shirt dress with a comfortable fit. She retains her two-color look, even contrasting the white stripes on her dress with her toe nails.
With this comparable pair of red slides, sunglasses and earrings, check out this stripe dress option that you can wear.
Few more examples of great pieces in shops that now have vertical information that lengthen and slim are below.
To make you look taller and slimmer, vertical stripes
FRAME shirred stripe top-Judith & Charles silk blouse-Treasure & Bond button front camisole-Halogen stripe blazer blazer
Treasure & Bond button midi dress- VERO MODA crop wide leg trousers- Halogen asymmetrical skirt- Rails stripe jumpsuit
Wear jeans with a bootcut or a flare.
How to look taller and slimmer – wear clothes with vertical stripes
Choose jeans with a flare that draws attention and gives the illusion that you are taller. Opt for a length of leg that comes to the floor closet, but doesn’t skim it (you don’t want to be tripped over your pants!).
You build longer looking legs by choosing longer-length jeans. It will visually draw a line through your calves or ankles to pick cropped jeans, making your legs appear shorter.
With a (small) pointy heel that will further lengthen the style, these styles of jeans look best.
I used 5 lengthening and slimming techniques in the description above:
I’m wearing a short dress with elongated vertical lines.
I belted my thin belt pretty tight too, making my legs look longer.
The bootleg pants that I’m wearing further highlight this. For heels, these are hemmed.
The heels add an extra inch to my height. So the heels are barely visual, the trousers almost hit the ground
The pointy toe shoes lengthen the look more,
I’m wearing an IGC dress that’s no longer available, but Paige bootcut jeans and silver pumps are comparable (similar)
Humanity Men High Waist Slim Leg Bootcut Jeans AG Bootcut Jeans 7 For All Mankind High Waist Slash Flare Jeans 7 For All Mankind Bootcut Jeans
Wit & Wisdom bootcut jeans-FRAME crop mini bootcut jeans-Slim bootcut jeans for citizens of humanity-Slim leg bootcut jeans for citizens of humanity-
7. Select a shape-fitting gown with a set waist
To look taller and slimmer, wear a high waistband
Choosing a dress with a fixed waist or a top with a waist tie will make you look taller, giving you the illusion that your legs are longer.
Helen (above) picks a dress with a waist that is high and tailored. This makes her legs look longer and produces the extra height illusion.
With this identical shirtdress, espadrille sandals and tote, you steal her style.
Treasure & Bond cover dress- Chelsea28 tie front dress- Chelsea28 wrap dress- HOBBS roll tab sleeve shirtdress- Treasure & Bond wrap dress
Seventy trench coat-Halogen midi shirtdress-Club Monaco colorblock silk wrap dress-HOBBS print sleeveless dress
Pick models of high-waisted
Higher-waisted pants and skirts will make it look longer on your legs and shorter on your torso. It produces a lengthening effect.
To make your legs look longer, wear high-tail trousers
In the same way, choosing models with a defined waist will make you look taller, so you will also go for high-waist trousers, jeans and skirts.
They are likely to make you, and your thighs look shorter than they really are if you choose bottoms that start at the hips.
Nic (above) already has long legs, but with her wedge heels, she makes them look even longer.
Check out this identical tank top, printed jeans, sandals and sunglasses for espadrilles.
There are more high-waisted models below that you might try:
Wit & Wisdom Pants-Rag & Bone Zip Hem Pants-EDWIN Skinny Jeans-Kate Kasin Swing Skirt
Club Monaco Paperbag Waist Wide Leg Pants Made in Blue Paperbag Waist Skinny Jeans Topdress Max Chiffon Skirt Xintianji Palazzo Pants
Wearing V-necks
You more look taller and slimmer with v-necks
Wherever possible, use V-neck tops. By drawing a triangular, vertical line, they’ll add height to your frame.
Wear them with your high-waisted jeans or trousers for the best performance.
Instead of wearing a button-down shirt or a v-neck, you can leave a couple of buttons open to create the same look as a v-neck.
In a similar hue to her jeans, Sandra (above) prefers a v-neck blouse.
This matching v-neck blouse, trousers and flats will recreate her evening outfit.
Chelsea28 drape waist top- Chelsea28 twist front sleeveless top- VERO MODA wrap top- ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo- VERO MODA wrap top-
Halogen ruched front mesh jacket-1901 scallop trim v-neck sweater-Halogen tie waist cardigan- VERO MODA sleeveless top-
10. Tuck into your tops
Tuck your top into your jeans, trousers or skirt instead of allowing your tops to hang over your bottoms.
This would make the torso look shorter and the legs look longer giving the height illusion.
Look for slimmer-sleeved tops
It will make you look bigger and slimmer while wearing similar colors
Although statement sleeves are on trend, such as bell sleeves or puff sleeves, they can make the top half look broader.
This in turn, will draw the width of focus ways, rather than lengthways. Then look for tops that have slimmer sleeves if you are trying to look taller.
It would also work well to opt for a three-quarter length sleeve, rather than a short sleeve.
For the width of your tops, the same goes. If you pick a slim top, your figure will be elongated to generate extra height instead of width.
Note, for example, how the tops below are very similar in color and design, but rather than up and down, the top with the shorter, broader sleeves draws your attention to the sides.
Petra (above) selects slightly puffed sleeves, but she adds height by keeping her whole look in matching neutral and pale shades.
With this comparable jacket, jeans, heels, handbag, belt, necklace and sunglasses, you get her look.
Halogen mesh top FRAME stripe linen top Made by Johnny 3/4 sleeve drape top
Wear a hat that is a little tall.
To look taller and slimmer, wear a hat of a certain height
Not only can wearing a hat make a style statement, giving your outfit the perfect finishing touch, but it can also pull the eye upward, making you look taller.
Opt for a hat on the crown that has a little extra height.
With her classic black fedora, Martina (above) adds height, as well as building an elongated column of black under her pink blazer.
Check out this top, blazer, jeans, slingback pumps, handbag and hat identical to this one.
Kate Spade New York trilby-Brixton fisherman cap-Goorin Bros. big brim hat-Panama hat pattern Treasure & Bond frayed
Eric Javits Leopard Print Bucket Hat-Rag & Bone Floppy Brim Wool Fedora-Brixton Floppy Wool Hat-Nordstrom Strip Brim Straw Bucket Hat
Enhance your stance
I’m sure that we are both guilty of slouching or not paying attention during the day to our posture.
But you can immediately add an inch or two to your height just by standing or sitting upright, rather than slouching your back or shoulders.
14. Opt for shoes with pointed toes
You will look taller by wearing pointy shoes
I mentioned wearing high heels earlier, which is one of the most obvious tips for looking taller.
Another good tip, however is to wear pointed toe shoes rather than round toe shoes.
You can add an inch or two to your foot with pointed shoes and elongate your knee. You could either go for heels or for sneakers, if you want a more relaxed everyday look.
For snakeprint pointed shoes with a wide bottom, Sam (above) opts.
Check out the shoulder jacket, jeans, pumps, and bag like this.
Sole Society slingback flat, Miz Mooz flat, Sole Society pointy toe flat, Trotters pointing toe loafer
Trotters pointed toe flat- Bella Vita pointed toe flat- Botkier pointy toe flat- Sam Edelman pointed toe flat-
15. Stop sizeable prints
It’s best to avoid large, busy prints if you’re trying to look taller and slimmer, as these will pull the eye around the body rather than up and down it, producing the opposite impact to the one you’re aiming for.
Choose a smaller pattern if you do want to wear a print.
A fifteen. Use form wear for an even more streamlined look,
It’s the base of your look, starting with the right bra and underwear.
Proper shapewear can lift and assist and smooth and streamline other components where you need it, giving you a slimmer, longer look.
Shape wear doesn’t need to look like anything your grandma used to wear, you get a strong mix of practicality and elegance with design details such as lace or contrasting panels in the undergarments.
Be open-minded and strive to wear type.
Women are founded by today’s top shape wear businesses such as Spanx, Yummie and others or collaborate with women designers who know how a woman needs to look and feel. That means that for all seasons, there is a trendy choice of undergarments that tuck, lift and conceal flaws while still being pretty comfortable.
Here is a list of the best of some:
SPANX panty bodysuit- SKIMS sculpting seamless mid shorts- SPANX high waist thong- Yummie seamlessly shaped convertible camisole- SPANX panty bodysuit-
Yummie seamless slip-SPANX cupped body suit for mid-thigh-SPANX cupped body suit for pants-SPANX nouveau slip
To look taller and slimmer, a capsule wardrobe
Below are some of the clothing pieces put together in a capsule wardrobe to look taller and slimmer this summer, as well as the shoes and accessories used above.
A wardrobe capsule on how to look taller and slimmer
On days when you want to look taller and slimmer, what tricks do you use?
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