Exhibit A
red beanie (c/o SLiM Motif); Shade Clothing t-shirt; thrifted boy's blazer, $3; Tommy Hilfiger coat, $100; secondhand BDG jeans, $17; MIA brogues, $43
If you're like me and have short legs, you want to make them look longer. I did not do that here. I'm wearing a shirt that stops right at my hips. I am also wearing a big puffy coat that stops right below my hips. It just accentuates my hip area....specifically my thighs, which I don't want accentuated. The easy answer is to wear shirts that stop above your hips. So for me, I should've worn a shirt probably 2-3 inches shorter. As for the big coat, I'm gonna have to get rid of it. It is so big, it swallows me up. It also doesn't give my body any form. I'll need to find a shorter coat or get a longer one that stops at max mid-thigh and that belts or ties at the waist.
I've picked a few out from Forever 21 that I wouldn't mind sporting this season....
I've picked a few out from Forever 21 that I wouldn't mind sporting this season....
Extra Tips
- Wear darker bottoms (dark pants and dark shoes).
- Wear heels.
- Wear skirts to hide thighs.
- Tucking in shirts...depending on the type of shirt and jeans you wear.
- Work out those legs.
- ....that's all I've got.
What are your tips and tricks for evading short legs/looking taller?
Your blog is delightful! I'm not very fashion minded, but my sister would love your ensembles! Can't wait to pass this along...
ReplyDeleteI love the periwinkle blue coat and the black ones! A classmate just bought an adorable red coat from there...may have to give it another chance (as of now I go straight to the jewelry section). I have no need to look taller (hi, 5'10"), but I do have larger thighs. Dark bottoms (often bootcut)and dresses are probaby the main 2 I try to follow.
ReplyDeleteI love the last black coat so much!
ReplyDeletecolormenana.blogspot.com
I am the same as you having larger thighs, its probably the thing I hate most about myself too!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, I find that bootcut or jeans that are a little flaired at the bottom look better on me. And also I profer to wear dresses and skirts (that dont start at the hips, but start at the waist) instead of shorts in summer.
I love your jacket choices, my favs are the first grey one and the reddish one :)
Rose
Thanks for these tips. I think wearing long dresses also 'adds' one/two inches.
ReplyDeleteLove ur jacket choices btw..
http://thenovembergirl.blogspot.com
ooh I like the little cape-let (esque) one a lot!
ReplyDeletei grew up a jeans and high heels kind of girl, but i've just now rediscovered high waist skirts. i'm not certain if this makes my legs look longer but i feel most comfortable in it.
ReplyDeleteits amazing how many trends are out there, and its really important to have a discerning eye. this is a great post by the way! i like your analytical approach to fashion.
xo.
princesspolitico
Oooh..all cute choices! I would have to say that my favorites are the bright blue coat and the black military style...
ReplyDeletewww.styleartisan.com
i have larger thighs as well and it's such a pain :( i love your tips though. another tip i use sometimes is matching your shoes to your tights/pants, or wearing nude shoes. really elongates your legs :)
ReplyDeletegreat tips elaine. love this post. those coats are amazing. =)
ReplyDeletehttp://herarmoire.blogspot.com
I wear boots with a bitty heel almost every day so my legs will look longer.
ReplyDeleteI so need to follow all of the rules you mentioned, x2! I think I have the shortest legs on an adult my age! You are too cute no matter what though-
ReplyDeleteMarie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Charmed giveaway!
I wear boots and high heels and also I watch my posture, I think confidence too, In my mind I have one thought stand tall.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post Elaine.
I love that grey coat! It's the middle of summer here (okay not quite but it feels it) & I have been buying up on blazers at places like Bardot. It's the best time to get them and everything's on sale :)
ReplyDeleteI'm 169cm tall but my boyfriend is a few inches shorter... recently I bought a pair of black pumps & after showing them to my mother-in-law she laughed @ the height difference. Maybe I am destined to be this size forever! :p
Love this post. You don't look stumpy to me at all Elaine :)
xx
I think the trick is in the proportions—I definitely notice that I look stumpy sometimes! And there's always advice like "wear dark pants/tights with dark shoes" for a longer line, but sometimes you have to throw rules to the wind and have fun too. I am sure that black tights are way more flattering on me than colored ones, but I can't help it—I love colored tights! :) I have to say this again: I *love* your bangs and that hat together.
ReplyDeleteLove that hat on you :) And that denim moto!
ReplyDeleteWe all have things about our body we wish weren't so - thank goodness there are clothes to hide it! For me it's my chicken leg calves - boo :(
Then sometimes we just throw rules out the window and wear what we want :)
Oh my gosh I am the same as you! Stupid short legs!
ReplyDeleteI also avoid anything that hits at my thighs.
My best tip would be to wear things that nip in at the waist. Things like full, high waisted skirts are great!
great post, though I have long legs they're not the skinniest things so your tips are very helpful :)
ReplyDeleteClothes Are Cute
oh, i have the same issues -- my legs are very short. when i want to make my legs appear longer, i try to wear a top that is 1/3 of my body height so that it only goes a little below my waist. i would complement that with long trousers or a very long skirt. sometimes, this helps.
ReplyDeleteregardless of leg length, i love your outfit here and think you look absolutely smashing in it.
ReplyDeleteI need to visit Forever 21! Are you coming to Boston???
ReplyDeleteooh, i love the third one. i'm a fan of bright colors, though i don't tend to wear them often. i have bigger thighs too, but mostly i think i just ignore them. high waist jeans are good for extending leg length. and i always tuck when my jeans are high.
ReplyDeleteI think you look super comfy and still chic, short legs be damned! The only things I really avoid due to my height are below-the-knee skirts, capris, and tunics. I have a friend who's even shorter than me who, for whatever reason, always wears tops that go past her butt. They make her look super stumpy, but she won't give them up! Oh well! Wear what you like, I guess? I wear most of my tops to right above my lower hip to avoid looking like I have a freakishly long torso and teeny legs.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog. What fun. LOVE the gray top left.
ReplyDeletelove the coats and super great tips!!
ReplyDeleteadorable coat.
ReplyDeletewwwtariarizona.blogspot.com
another vote for the blue coat.
ReplyDeletegreat post, I love the tips!
-Megan
Thanks so much for the tips! I luv ur pics, u will look so stunning in all of them : ) xx
ReplyDeletefor us petite girls, our skirt hems should end above the knees. also our shoes shouldn't be the type that has thick ankle straps because that will cut up our legs and make us look shorter
ReplyDeleteleethroughthelens.blogspot.com
I have the same problem! That's why I always have a long camisole on underneath my shirts so that my thighs don't get cut off in the wrong place!
ReplyDeleteSo frustrating when shirts are too short!
PS. I love the grey and two black coats--totally my style!
I think you look adorable :)
ReplyDeletethank you so much for your comment, was really nice:)
love the way you explain how to compliment what you have!
really good idea
++
Love the choices you made... that trench will do wonders to hide your tights. And you are right, wear dark bottoms or a skirt. The jeans you're wearing now is just right...the fit looks good on you.
ReplyDeleteThose tips are so darn inspired!
ReplyDeleteNina
girl I wish I had tips but unfortunately we have the opposite problem because I am a freaking giant. haha.
ReplyDeletexo Niki
http://ahautemess.blogspot.com
Nice tips dear ! My legs are not tall either , so this is really helpful . I'm going to buy heels soon . Haha . Nice choices of coat , love the black ones :)
ReplyDeleteI love your outfit, you look great! Also that first grey piece is perfect! xx
ReplyDeleteOh I love the cute little grey coat/jacket!
ReplyDeleteoh my, I love this post!
ReplyDeleteAlso i have to say that shorts and short skirts make ur legs longer, if worn with dark tights, also makes ur legs look slimmer.
but...by the way...I dont think u have huge thighs :)
xxx
you're bigger in the thighs? I beg to differ, your thighs look perfectly normal to me!
ReplyDeleteoh and if you wanna prolong your legs optically, I suggest leggings + super short jeans/pants =)
ReplyDeletegreat tips! I am similarly proportioned - I think high waists (particularly on skirts) work wonders to hide my shortness!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! ;)
ReplyDeleteI struggle with the same problem. My tips- avoid skirts that fall below my knee (which means hemming everything!) wear slightly long bootcut jeans with heels, and not wear capri pants-ever!
ReplyDeletewhat a comfy coat!
ReplyDeleteYou still look adorable though! And the last coat, in the lower, right corner, is too perfect!
ReplyDeleteAll of those coats are fabulous - you would look great in any one of them! Looking taller for me is usually always about heels and long pants.
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with that blue coat!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kathryn: no capris! Also, no tunics or basically anything that is comes past your crotch area. I love the tunic look, but at 5'4", I just can't pull them off.
sundryelements.blogspot.com
i'm the same as you (although i think your legs look fine), any weight is always carried on my leg area and they are not so long.
ReplyDeletei really like the f21 grey top in the first pic,you would not know it is from there
I also like that first grey sweater from F21 but I have something very similar from Anthropologie from last years winter. My big decision maker is my muffin top... what to do what to do...try to cover it up or wear something that if I bend it will poke out of my jeans...
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Elaine I want all of your F21 picks.....!
ReplyDeleteI love this post!!!
ReplyDeleteI discovered that I per accident made my legs look shorter when I was wearing a dress and tights but the had socks peeping out of my boots... :/ the socks shortened my legs instantly :/ while in a similar look without the socks the legs looked way taller!!
xoxo
I like your style! I'm short too so is my daughter so I think I'll show her your blog. She'll love seeing the coats.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!
For what it's worth, I don't think that outfit is nearly as disastrous as you've indicated! But these are some great tips for elongating gams on a petite frame.
ReplyDeleteI think you look pretty good here actually, but the tips are great! And I am drooling over that blue coat! I usually go for longer tunics and tall boots or high heels with skinny jeans for an elongated look.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I will say that I think this outfit looks just fine on you. I didn't really think of it as drawing attention to your hips at all.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, it's universally true that puffer-style jackets like that aren't very flattering on most body types. A slim wool coat or jacket, like on of the ones you mentioned, would probably be more flattering.
What Not to Wear taught me that pointy toed shoes in the same color as your pants makes your legs look longer because they eye keeps traveling. And I swear long (past mid-shin) skirts make me look shorter. I wear them anyway because I'm cold.
ReplyDeleteAs far as coats, I say warmth is more important than style. But I have a 3/4 length wool coat I got from Old Navy last winter that I think manages to be both cute and warm.
I am 6ft tall so I need not worry, but all i can say is black jeans look good and can help. I also own a leather jacket which ends mid torso which I later found out was for short people to look tall. Wise words to leather jacket virgins they cool down to the temp outside so if its cold it will offer no heat at all but you can get some leather jackets which have some warmer materiel inside.
ReplyDeletePointed toe shoes (don't have to be extreme to help elongate) in a tone similar to your pants (or similar to your legs for skirts). Oddly enough, the opposite principle also works - a totally poppin' shoe in a great print or color. Draws the eye straight down to the feet and makes your legs look longer as the eyes skim past. I think you'd look great in the coat on the lower right!
ReplyDeleteGreat coats- love the short grey one and the blue! Fab color.
ReplyDeletedark skinny jeans.
ReplyDeleteboots! (edgy black boots with buckles!)
long coats, ones that hit at my knees.
dresses, shirtdresses, tunics, long cardigans.
great tips! im also not a very tall person. just wear heels and skirt sometimes to make the legs longer
ReplyDeleteUgh, I was just lamenting about my short legs and puffy thighs yesterday. I usually wear bootcut jeans and heels of some sort, but I know the bootcut shape only accentuates my large thighs, so I need to find some trouser style pants. I'm also feeling inspired to wear more skirts these days.
ReplyDeletei know how you feel!
ReplyDeletei have really short legs and they're also quite big, i wish i could have body more like chanel iman - i love her legs! ^^
great tips by way! ^^
Love,
Dominika
<3
All those jackets are sooo gorgeous. It will be a tough decision for you, which one to pick. So good luck :)
ReplyDeleteRegards
Nathalie
Your blog is really cute. I love all your tips. Thanks for stopping by my blogs.
ReplyDeleteI have the exact OPPOSITE problem! I'm 5"8, so I don't want to look taller! I actually feel funny when I'm wearing heels, I don't like looking donw on people!:) Usually, if I'm talking to someone signifacantly shorter than me, I end up scrunched down trying to be at there eye level!LOL! The grass is always greener!:) Cute jackets by the way!
ReplyDeleteflats are comfy but definitely not as flattering as heels. I favor my 2-3in boots everyday and always tuck them in- its best when its matching colors. i wore black pants with black leather boots the other day my legs totally looked longer than when i wear jeans and brown boots.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the picture I thought it was showing an example of how to dress to look good!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your tips! You are darling!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThose F21 coats are cute but I don't think they will keep you as warm as the coat you are wearing:)
ReplyDeleteI am in the same predicament you are in- I often wear looser fitting shirts with skinny pants to make my legs seem thinner in comparison.
ReplyDelete-L
http://unsystematicstyle.blogspot.com/
ah, i think most of us are trying to hide some areas and highlight other areas! i have long legs, but they are THICK! ha hahahah. i have many tricks up my sleeves for looking better, but lately it seems i am trying to disguise more and more problem areas! ugh.
ReplyDeleteI love your hat. It is really cute.
ReplyDelete-The Trendy Fashionista
http://thetrendyfashionista.blogspot.com
girl those coats wouldn't last a second in this frigid weather. you need a puff. find a puff!!
ReplyDeleteI definately agree with the body proportions info you gave - a short shirt would look better, and of course heels always give a more elongated look. - Natalya of Wear Necessities
ReplyDeleteYou know, the funny thing, I actually like your outfit here. It is so something I would wear. But you are right about the jacket, accentuating your hips, but that's not a bad thing because you have rockin' hips!!
ReplyDeleteooo that blue coat is so yummy! I love that color! and the color of your hat, very cute!
ReplyDeleteI love how analytic this post was. You are so thoughtful! I think wearing heels are definitely one of the best tricks to elongate legs, if only I loved them more. And I LOVE your coat picks - so cute!
ReplyDeleteI think you are a bit too harsh on yourself! I don't find your legs that short in proportion the rest of you.
ReplyDeleteAnd I actually really like this outfit.
Those jackets are so cute! And I like your outfit, especially that hat.
ReplyDeleteI think you look adorable, but I know what you mean about finding out what works for you! Interestingly enough, I posted an outfit today that I wasn't crazy about....the proportions just didn;t look right on my body type!
ReplyDeletelove that denim jacket from forever21 .
ReplyDeleteyou're looking cuter than ever !
dont be too harsh on urself . everybody is born in their unique ways . be proud of ur petite size !
many boys (including my bf) like petite girls u kno . heheeh .
cheer up :D
be happy with what you have dear
Knee-high boots. They completely make your legs look longer. You look so adorable here - love your hat! :)
ReplyDeleteWIDE LEG JEANS are the best. It sounds cliche- wide leg jeans for thick legs- but it's true. They look awesome. Especially if you have a nice butt. Gap usually has great ones. Pointy toe shoes can help elongate legs too. And heels. Heels work wonders!
ReplyDeleteAlso, your legs aren't thick. And I love your hat here.
I'm totally coveting #1! I'm a big fan of nude shoes for leg lengthening!
ReplyDeleteohhh nice selection dear !
ReplyDeleteI don't think you look too short here! Being naturally tall my problem is quite different - I have to try hard to make my bum and boobs look smaller because I prefer to look edgy than sexy. But my number 1 tip is heels, heels, heels!
ReplyDeletehttp://dreamingspiresandoldcartyres.blogspot.com
try wearing shoes and pants/tights of the same color (preferably dark color). it's a sure way to make your legs look longer.
ReplyDelete:)
i love your blog, by the way.
http://whipmycream.blogspot.com
I always think you look great and never thought for one minute about your short legs. Just thought you were petite which is nice :)
ReplyDelete♥
haha i have never noticed those flaws girl, you always look gorg
ReplyDeletemyglitteringcreation.blogspot.com
*sigh* I have short legs as well. Wouldn't it be so much nicer to have long, lean legs? But as you said, all we can do is dress to elongate them. And you gave some great tips!
ReplyDeleteAnd even though your legs might not look their longest in this photo, you still look great! As always!
there is nothing wrong with ur legs they are lovely! i do like the coat choices though! Im only 5ft 2 well stick together lol xxxx
ReplyDeletegreat shoes
ReplyDeletedallas
http://dillydallas.blogspot.com
Your legs always look so beautifully slender to me- I never would have said you had big thighs!
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful! :)... and I think that heels will ALWAYS shed 5 even 10 pounds off a womans frame.. :) the higher the better... hee hee.
ReplyDeleteLove & Aloha.
www.elisharon.blogspot.com
Oh I am so too practical. Subzero temps are not great with leggings IMHO. I prefer a good large down coat that goes past the hips to hide the thighs. But that's just me. Nice looks though! My daughters would love them.
ReplyDeleteGAH! I absolutely love coats! Nice picture.
ReplyDeletetoshima-sushi.blogspot.com
i too have short legs and short upper torso & I'm more (obsessed) into tucking my shirts. love th tips.
ReplyDeletehttp://greenvases.blogspot.com/
I like the grey F21 top, it looks great. Extra tips: cropped tops look good and high waisted jeans.
ReplyDelete-iris
Actually wearing a longer coat is going to hide your hip area whereas a shorter coat is really going to show them off. However, wearing a longer coat will shorten your leg length so it's a toss up. Cute coats though!
ReplyDeletecablecarcouture.com
Not model-esque? Well I personally think you look very lovely! Thank you very much for visiting my blog and for your sweet comment -- I just got a chance to check out your blog and it's adorable; I am adding it to my reader :)
ReplyDeleteI actually like ur ensemble, when it's cold, i go for casual over fashionable sometimes :) I have long legs (I'm 5'8") but wearing heels definitely elongates the legs, which also makes them look thinner :)
ReplyDeleteI have a request! How do you wear boots? My legs are super short too (I'm 5'1") and I love riding boots, but I feel like I look super short.
ReplyDeleteWear nude heels! They create the illusion of longer legs.
ReplyDelete