Heels are undoubtedly a go-to for most women – even the tallest ones. They make us feel feminine, attractive, and sensual in a go. They transform the way we move. And they can also be found on a budget.
Though, heels alone are not enough to make our legs look longer and leaner.
Even if this can sound surprising, they can also be totally backfiring, due to the fact that high heels, though they add inches to your height, may create an extra breakpoint that can reduce the visual length of your lower leg. Therefore, getting some extra inches in height does NOT necessarily mean that we can get a slimming and flattering outcome.
And, though it’s absolutely unfair, this is particularly true if you’re shorter than average, as, with inappropriate shoes, the heel can seem longer than your calf. A heel that’s too high will make your legs look shorter by contrast, so if you want a harmonious and chic effect, it’s smarter to wear a lower heel.
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Moreover, any disproportion in the design of the heel (or a style that is not suitable for your body type) can make your legs look shorter and bulkier. Therefore, some attention is always mandatory in order to pick out the most flattering designs.
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Left: ASOS DESIGN Hammond strappy mid-heeled sandals in white – Right: Hong Kong block-heeled sandals
Here are some tips for a faultless choice:
- Generally speaking, medium-heeled strappy sandals in a color similar to your skin tone can help you achieve a lovely result easily.
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- For a slimming effect, minimal designs are preferable, as they leave your feet as visible as possible. The more skin you show, the more your legs are visually stretched out (shoes that cover the feet are suitable only for tallest ladies).
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Left: ASOS DESIGN Wide Fit Planet slingback high block heels – Right: Asos Design Whisper tie leg high stiletto heels
- As for the design of the heel itself, usually, the perfect option is a slightly curved heel placed centrally under the heel of your foot: this trick, in addition to making the shoe more comfortable when walking, visually reduces the heel’s height, and the outcome is, therefore, more proportioned. Moreover, this kind of heel usually removes any possible disproportion between the heel and the leg (which is quite frequent for those who don’t have long, thin legs).
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- As for wedges (which in summer can be very helpful to achieve a slimming effect at no effort), always give preference to wedges whose color is of a similar tone to your skin: wedges of this color visually extend the line of the leg instead of breaking it, as heels may do.
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- Wedge sandals—especially when they’re in cork or rope—are one of the rare shoes that can sport a platform without looking tasteless and without making your legs seem shorter than they are, as their design camouflages the platform, thus allowing a better outcome.
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When buying your perfect heels, remember that (1) this type of shoe must be high quality, and (2) quality does not necessarily mean expensive: a well-made shoe from a not-so-expensive brand can be worth much more than the designer shoe that’s inappropriate for your body type.
Always keep in mind that, if you want to achieve a slimming effect, you do not necessarily have to always resort to very high heels. You can achieve an amazing outcome by simply choosing those shoes most suitable for your body type, enhancing your figure while making it proportional.
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A five-inch heel, if it’s not suited to the shape and length of your legs, can make you look full-bodied while increasing the circumference of your legs. Conversely, a lower and comfortable heel, if carefully chosen, can indeed make you look much more stylish and even slender in a very chic and feminine way.
