Beyond the high heel: tips for making short women look tall

Jul 9, 2009, 13:42 GMT

Berlin - Short women don't often have an easy time when it comes to choosing clothes. Almost every pair of trousers needs to be shortened and wearing high heels to look taller causes pain with prolonged use.

And when it comes to the opposite sex, many men think women under 1.65 metres are more sweet than sexy. But with some good styling you can add some height as well as spice to your appearance.

Both short women and men can benefit from clever styling tips. The most important rule is to get the proportions right.

'Claudia Schiffer is bigger than Kate Moss but she doesn't look it. She just has the right proportions,' says stylist Maria Hans from Hamburg. Being a short woman does not mean you have to look short.

'It depends on the figure and your build,' explains stylist Ines Grum from Dortmund. In order to get the best look your upper and lower body should each appear to be equal length.

Short legs can look longer optically by wearing a pair of high cut trousers. 'Short jackets or bolero-style jackets also make the upper body look longer.' As a basic rule short woman can wear anything that 'creates a long look.' Maria Hans recommends wearing V-necks: 'Round necks are too claustrophobic-looking.'

A skirt should never be too long. 'Mini skirts are more suited to short women. White draipipe jeans can also make you look a few centimetres taller.'

But achieving the right look is not just about getting clothing proportions right, colour plays a big role as well. 'Single colour combinations make the body look taller,' says image consultant Dagmar Bothe from Hamburg.

'You should try to avoid what is known as block colouring. That happens when you wear a red pullover with a pair of blue trousers and there are no other colours in your outfit.' When that happens your body looks like it has been 'halved' but it does not look taller.

Bothe also advises matching the colour of your stockings to the colour of your skirt - that can also help legs look longer. Another tip: 'Small women should wear light coloured tops. That attracts looks to your upper body.'

A nice necklace also has the same effect but accessories should not be too big or chunky. Slim, fashionable accessories also help the wearer look taller. Choosing the right necklace length depends on your proportions. You can find out how long a necklace should be with a simple trick.

'Take a piece of thread and place one end on your forehead's hairline then pull the thread as far as your chin. Take that section of thread and dangle it from your chin. The point on your chest where the section of thread ends shows you the maximum length a necklace may be,' explains Ines Grum.

Along with accessories, shoes are another important subject for short women. 'It is possible to find high heeled shoes that are comfortable to wear,' says Grum.

Grum would not advise short women to avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. 'The problem is that a lot of women don't know how to walk in them properly. But you don't have to choose a high heeled pair of shoes.'

The right hairstyle can also make you look taller. 'Hair should not hang like a big mat. It's better to have it pinned-up or tied in a bun. That also looks a lot fresher in the summer,' says Maria Hans.

Dagmar Bothe warns against having too big a hairstyle. 'When you pin your hair up take note of your face's shape. A long face can look even longer with pinned-up hair.'

'As a general rule you should not look as if you have been swallowed up by your clothes. A baggy top together with a wide pair of linen trousers does not look very attractive on a short woman,' adds Maria Hans.