Are you petite and looking for ways how to look taller? These are my top three tips on how to use clothes to appear taller than you really are.
“I am 5′ 2″ tall with a balanced body as well as a booty. I wear a lot of pants. Should I tuck in my tops or not? I am also pear shaped and slightly overweight. My goal is to look taller. Thanks.” ~ Andrea
There are three things to consider in your case, Andrea, – your height, your body type, and your body size. We´ve covered in details the style tips for petite women, and how to dress a pear-shaped body. But dressing up a voluptuous figure according to its body type is something we´re still lacking on this blog. I hope to write more on this topic in the future.
Let´s look where the style tips for each element intersect.
But first on your question, should you tuck your top or not if you´re a voluptuous pear shaped?
According to Kendall Farr, author of The Pocket Stylist, ideally your top should hit you at your hipbone to keep your torso look long. You´d want to avoid tops that hit you at your navel or above as this will visually cut your body in half and accentuate the proportionate difference between your upper and lower body.
How to Look Taller: Best Tops for a Voluptuous Pear Shape Body Type
The style of tops that best complement your size and shape are wrap tops, banded tops, fitted + tailored shirts, and tops with boat neck, ballet neck and square neck. These tops will give you an illusion of broad shoulders, balancing the proportion of your top and bottom.
Wrap tops will accentuate your waist giving you a slimmer line. When it comes to fitted, tailored shirts, you can experiment with lace, silk, breast pockets, shirring, ruching and trims.
It´s also a good idea to go for tops which guide the eye from up to down such as a thin horizontal stripe top specifically the lines which meet at the center creating an optical illusion V. Avoid eye-popping oversized prints and patterns because these will overwhelm your petite size.
How to Look Taller: Best Pants for a Petite and Voluptuous Pear Shaped
Ideally you should opt for bottoms that drape and stretch for a skimming (not too tight not too clingy) fit. Your best cut is a straight trouser, low waist, flat front, with minimal or no waistband. Avoid trousers with back pockets, flap or trash pockets because they add volume to your bottom.
An alternative is boot leg trouser, also low waist; flat front and with minimal details.
When it comes to jeans, stick with the straight cut and boot leg. But you can also have fun with a bit of flare provided they´re not too snug or fitting through the legs.
How to Look Taller: You´ll Look Tall in a Monochrome
For petite, whether slim or voluptuous, there´s a need to stretch your vertical line using monochrome outfits. A tonal combination of your top and bottom will create a long vertical line from up and down. For example, if you´re top is light pink, you´re bottom should be beige or light brown or also pink.
But monochrome all the time is boring! Yeah, I hear that. You can add interest to your monochrome by playing with different fabrics and textures for your separates.
Layer over a long lined blazer or a jacket with vertical prints and patterns. This outer layering will keep things stunning without breaking the established long line of your monochrome under layer.
Finish the look with a two to three inch sculpted heels and a low vamp. That means the opening near your toes is long and narrow. This will lengthen your leg and overall body line. Steer clear from chunky platform bottoms; opt instead for a sleek slim wedge.
In dressing your height and body type, remember to never ever compromise your vertical line and proportion.