Many of us want longer legs, whether we are short or tall, but this is one thing diet and exercise cannot change. You can, however, create the illusion of longer legs by dressing to fool the eye and making the most of your natural build. The same tips to visually elongate your legs work with casual and dressy clothes and are easily adapted to suit your tastes and style. Smart shopping and good fashion choices can make all the difference in how your body looks and help you create a long, lean line.
Skirts and Dresses
The length of your skirts and dresses can visually shorten or lengthen your legs. Choose skirts that end at one of the narrowest points of your legs: just above the knee, mid-knee, just below the knee, at the narrowing of the calf or at the ankle. Avoid skirts that end at heavier or fuller parts of the leg, and keep in mind that a skirt to the knee will often elongate legs more effectively than a longer one.
Pants and Trousers
Look for flat-front pants with minimal detailing to create a long, lean line. Avoid side pockets and pleating, as well as any sort of taper to the ankle. When they are in style, a flare or boot cut can add visual length to the leg. Choose pants that work well with the shoes you wear, buying or hemming them longer if you expect to wear a heeled shoe regularly. Avoid cropped or overly tight pants as both will make your legs look shorter.
Shoes and Hosiery
Match your shoes to your hosiery to create a longer line. With black heels, choose sheer black hose or opaque black tights. Consider boots with tights in the same color for a winter look. If you are wearing pants, opt for a shoe in the same general tone as your pants for a similar effect, and wear trouser socks that match your pants and shoes. Heels add visual length to elongate your legs, as will a shoe with a pointed toe.
