If you’re a short girl, looking taller and slimmer is usually the goal. Whether you’re taking pictures or going out for that special occasion, the illusion of looking taller and skinnier is all about choosing the right colors, patterns, and silhouette.
As an Image Consultant, I’m here to share simple styling tips, so you can achieve a slender and elongated look. If you want to learn the trick on how to look taller and slimmer instantly, this is your guide.
How to Look Taller and Slimmer
Creating the illusion of looking taller and slimmer is easy if you know the styling hacks. It’s all about color, scale, and proportion. These are simple styling tricks that make the eye move vertically (up and down) and create a slender elongated look. Here’s how to do it.
1. Use Color to Look Taller And Slimmer
One of the most common style tricks is using color strategically to elongate the body and give the illusion of a slender frame. This can be achieved by using darker monochrome colors. Of course, there is the traditional all-black look, but you don’t have to stick to black.
Try wearing a dark navy top and pants. Or a long dark brown dress. Wearing monochrome colors tricks the eye into seeing one long uninterrupted silhouette. Dark colors absorb light instead of reflecting it, making you look slimmer.
If you are slim and are just looking to give the illusion of looking taller, try lighter monochrome color palettes such as whites, neutrals, and pastels. Use the same shades within one color family, no need for the colors to be the same.
Pro Tip: Learn your personal color or “seasonal color palette‘ to dress in the most flattering colors.
2. Use Vertical Line Patterns
The use of vertical lines sends the eye up and down, creating an elongated look. Use pinstripe or even clothing with vertical seams. Clothes that make you look taller and skinnier always have vertical lines. This is an easy way to look taller and slimmer instantly!
If you are petite, avoid wearing a thick belt that cuts off at the waist, making you look shorter. It will also add bulk at the waistline, making you look thicker at the waist.
If you must wear a belt, wear a thin belt that matches the color of your clothes, to avoid a visual break at the waist. If you don’t need a belt at all, go without it to have a seamless elongated look.
Pro Tip: Always choose fine vertical lines which are slimming. Wide and broad vertical lines will make you look wider.
3. Choose Necklines Wisely
A pro tip on how to look taller and slimmer is learning how to use necklines to slim and elongate your overall silhouette. V necklines move the eyes vertically and diagonally, creating a taller look. Halter necklines are elongating and slimming as they draw the eyes up and in.
Avoid wearing round necklines that close off the neck. You should also avoid straight horizontal necklines such as strapless which creates a dramatic break on the upper part of the body.
Pro Tip: If you are petite and have large breasts, avoid wearing turtlenecks as they add bulk to the top of your body and widen the shoulders, making you look shorter.
4. Be Mindful Of Hemlines
Stylists know the importance of being careful where the hemline falls on the body. Hemlines create a visual “break”. If your hemline cuts off at the wrong part of the body, it can make you look shorter and wider. To avoid this, make sure hemlines stop at the slimmest parts of your body.
For example, pants should stop below the ankle or even at the bottom of your shoe heel. Skirt hemlines should stop either below the ankle, below the calf, or at the narrowest part of the knee (right above or below).
Petite women should avoid wearing capri pants because they cut the leg off abruptly at the calve, making you look shorter.
Pro Tip: The hemline of your coat should always be the same as your skirt or dress to create the illusion of elongated lines.
5. Be Mindful of Proportion
Just like hemlines, breaks in proportion can also affect how you look. If you want to learn how to look taller, use the golden rule of thirds. The rule of thirds means that your silhouette is divided 3 to 1.
To create the illusion of long legs, wear high-waisted pants or a dress with an empire waistline that sits a little higher than your natural waist. This will give the illusion of longer legs.
Never cut the body directly in half at the crotch, which will make you look shorter and wider and create an unflattering visual break.
Pro Tip: Learn your body shape type to choose clothing that flatters your silhouette.
6. Use the Scale of Prints and Patterns Correctly
When wearing prints choose smaller prints that are closer together. This will draw the eye in, making you look slimmer and give the illusion of a cohesive silhouette.
If you are petite, avoid wearing large prints on the top half of the body. This emphasizes the top half of your body making you look wider and shorter.
When wearing line patterns, always choose patterns that go either up and down (vertical) or diagonal. Avoid patterns that are horizontal as this will make you look shorter and wider.
7. Shoes Matter
If you are a short girl, the goal is to add length to your legs. Wearing a pointy-toe shoe instantly adds the illusion of length. Now let’s take this to the next level.
Another stylist’s secret in elongating the leg is wearing the same color shoe to match your pants. This creates a seamless line, up and down without proportion breaks.
If you are going bare-legged while wearing a skirt, always wear a skin-colored shoe, which will create the illusion of a longer leg. Shoes with a slight platform in the front can give you extra physical height as well.
Looking Taller and Slimmer Is Easy!
Now that you know these stylist’s secrets of how to look taller and slimmer, you can use these skills every day! When planning your wardrobe, think of color, proportion, and scale. Wear clothes that give the illusion of vertical lines and seams.
Be mindful of prints and patterns and wear the right style and color of shoes to finish the look. Try all these tips together to maximize how to look taller and gain confidence in your personal style.
