Long legs have always been considered a beautiful attribute, since they show a girl's physical development and entrance into adulthood (biologically speaking). However, not all of us are blessed with long, twiggy model legs! I, for one, am five feet tall and my legs never appear very long without using some wardrobe manipulation tips...
Does taking tips like these make us someone we aren't or show that we conform to society? No way! By choosing and manipulating our wardrobes to fit us, we are no longer have to fit ourselves into trendy styles or be at the mercy of ready-to-wear designers. We can dress ourselves to accentuate the natural beauty God has given every woman and to communicate the message we want to send to the world!
Does taking tips like these make us someone we aren't or show that we conform to society? No way! By choosing and manipulating our wardrobes to fit us, we are no longer have to fit ourselves into trendy styles or be at the mercy of ready-to-wear designers. We can dress ourselves to accentuate the natural beauty God has given every woman and to communicate the message we want to send to the world!
From Vogue, March 1938 |
Vertical Stripes
Use vertical prints and seams to elongate your body and draw the eye in a continuous line from top to bottom. This will create a longer look. However, avoid doing this with tight clothing. The lines will no longer be straight and vertical but will curve around your curves instead, breaking up the top-to-bottom motion of the eye. (Not to mention this 30s outfit is UH-MAY-ZING.)
Trouser Fit Jeans/Trousers
This is the same idea as the vertical stripes. The jean edges create a smooth line, and the fullness at the bottom can also help balance out hips.
I love Stacy! |
Pointed Shoes
Pointed shoes, whether flat or heeled, will lengthen the leg by literally making the foot a bit longer and the point creates a longer line (unlike platform rounded toe shoes). Though flat shoes with points will work, heels will still elongate the most. By putting the foot on a heel, it makes it appear longer from the front. (Compare Stacy's heeled foot with Clinton's flat one.)
from here |
High Waisted Bottoms
An easy way to make your legs look longer? Make it look like they start higher than they actually do with high-waisted shorts, skirts, dresses, etc.
Stacy London |
Above or Below the Knee Skirt Length
Wearing skirts/dresses that land right above or right below the knee bring attention to the thinnest parts of the leg. Other lengths bring attention to bigger parts of the leg. Above the knee emphasizes the thigh, below will hit the calf at its thickest part, and right on the knee divides the leg in an awkward place and shortens it. So.... right above and below the knee will be your best friends if you'd like your legs to look longer.
Pic from here |
Skin Colored Shoes
Wear shoes that match your skin tone (or is close), or the same color as your tights if you're wearing those. These make the leg into one contiguous line without any horizontal breaks on it caused by a color difference.
Great tips! Being petite (5'2") I have fairly short legs (I find a 28" inseam usually works well for me in pants), which aren't the thinnest of gams either, so I'm very conscious of where my hemlines hit and if there's ways I can help them look a wee bit longer.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica