How to Visually Lengthen Your Legs: 5 Styling Tricks

"Want to visually lengthen your legs? Put on heels" — that's the first thing that comes to most of our minds. But there are just as many effective tricks to achieve the same result. Scroll through — here are 5 secret methods from a stylist.
Which one is new to you, and which will you try first?

Palazzo Pants

This is one of the simplest ways. Go for a mid or high waistline. Legs look truly endless when the emphasis stays on the waist while the silhouette below stays loose.

Vertical Stripes

The right print is the foundation of a great outfit, and the right stripe can visually add height. Contrasting vertical stripes are a great choice and a stylish way to elongate the silhouette.

Shoes in Your Skin Tone

The simplest tip — choose shoes or sandals that match your skin tone: beige or brown. They seem to extend the leg, adding centimeters. Wear them on bare legs — with a skirt, a dress, or cropped pants.

High-Rise Waist

Pants and skirts with a raised waistline visually create an "elongating effect." For the best result, choose current styles that don't cling to the hips or restrict movement.

Monochrome Looks

Try to stick to one color palette in your outfit — this way the look reads as cohesive and harmonious, and the legs look longer!

A Cropped Top

You can wear a cropped top or partially tuck the hem of your top into high-rise pants and skirts. This way the bottom half appears longer and the top shorter. This trick also highlights the hips, keeping the silhouette slim. If you have fuller hips, opt for flowing pants with a wide waistband.

High-Rise Shorts

It's important to stick to the main rule here — a high or mid rise on the piece, and no "heavy" details, patch pockets, pleats, or darts. Menswear-style bermuda shorts also work in your legs' favor if they sit at the waist and end no lower than mid-knee.

To make your legs look longer, avoid:
- belts worn on the hips;
- tops that end right at the hip line
- styles with emphasis on the lower body (turn-ups on pants, shorts, patch pockets);
- low-rise pants and skirts;
- light-colored or printed tights.