Fashion is not just about patterns and designs – it’s also about understanding the right colour combinations to bring out your best assets. However, colour can also be used for a bit of trickery, making you look taller than you really are. Here are some tips to implement if you could use a hand in the height department.
1. Opt for contrasting colours
This is especially true of dark and light colour combinations. For example, having a dark pair of pants contrasted against a light-coloured top makes your legs look longer, elongating your body. A good trick here as well is to reverse this when it comes to jackets or coats, having a dark top with light coloured bottoms.
2. Use columns of colour
This means sticking to one colour scheme head to toe. The reason behind this is that each time we change colour on our clothing, we halt the flow, therefore shortening the body. The best example here is when wearing a suit, both for males and females. Wear the same colour jacket and pants and mix it up with a different coloured top to create some interest. In this situation, the eye is still seeing the main colour (the suit) and sees the two pieces of clothing as one, drawing the eye from top to bottom in one swoop.
Another way to do this is to colour blend. This means wearing a single colour, for example red, on top and blending that with a red and black pair of pants or skirt. Again, the eye is only seeing the red.
3. Reduce the contrast
Yes, it’s the direct opposite of point one, but both seem to work. Consider a monochromatic colour scheme, where all the colours of your outfit are actually different tints, tones and shades of a single hue. This presents a coherent visual image, forcing people to see you vertically rather than horizontally.
In this case, dark colours work best as they recede into the body, making you look leaner and taller, rather than emphasising the change in clothing. Of course, black on black is the best example, however other dark colours such as navy, grey, dark brown or deep green work just as well.
4. Find the colours that marry well
Analogous colours are those that are naturally pleasing to the eye and tend to blend together. While monochromatic are shades of the same colour, analogous colours are different colours that work well together. A good example of an analogous colour-scheme is a landscape.
Consider the horizon where sea and sky seem to blend together, or a forest where there are so many different colours of green and brown, yet they’re similar, so they tend to merge. In clothing, the best example would be a light grey shirt or t-shirt with denim jeans. There is little contrast between top and bottom, creating a streamlined look. This stretches the body vertically, making you appear taller than you really are.
Another good example is green and blue – neighbouring colours on the colour wheel. Again, because dark colours work best to lengthen the frame, darker shades of green (such as olive or hunter green) will work best.
Tan and white or light blue will also elongate the body, and are perfect colours for a summer look.
5. Soft Pastels
Soft pastels, such as casual wear or formal attire sporting blush pink and peach colours, create a lengthening effect by providing a subtle monochromatic look that gives the illusion of height. These light and comfy tones minimise contrast, keeping your silhouette consistent and making you appear taller.
Furthermore, wearing pastels in tone-on-tone shades by layering from the same colour family ensures a seamless vertical line. Soft pastels enhance this effect, and wearing pastel footwear or accessories maintains the elongated appearance without breaking your frame.
6. Tone-on-Tone Neutrals
Neutral colours like cream, soft taupe, and beige create a taller look by blending closely related shades in one outfit without appearing almost too monochromatic. Tone-on-tone neutrals offer a pinch of subtleness to your outfit, allowing the eye to glide smoothly from your head to toe.
Moreover, layering multiple textures from the same neutral family adds a beautiful touch of depth while maintaining a continuous line. Tailoring pieces in neutral shades streamline your body shape. Adding matching shoes to your outfit can further enhance the lengthening effect.
7. Stripe it up
There are some patterns that can work in your favour when trying to look taller. Vertical stripes will force the eye up and down rather than across, so they’re your best bet. Even better are thin vertical stripes in darker colour combinations.
8. Pop of Colour in Accessories
Wearing accessories that add a pop of colour can boost your outfit’s visual interest without ruining its elongated effect. When wearing neutral or monochromatic outfits, you can consider adding a touch of bold accessory.
That includes a vibrant bag, colourful scarf, shoes, or other accessories that draw attention to certain areas while keeping the overall look.
It’s best to put the accessory closer to your face or waistline to maintain the flow of colour from your outfit. Doing so keeps the silhouette sleek and taller while allowing you to include a touch of personality and style.
9. Shoes, shoes and more shoes
While they’re not something that many people consider ‘part of the outfit’, shoes can actually make or break your look, especially when trying to evoke a sense of height. Wear the wrong shoes and you can actually jar the look completely, rather than creating the flow needed.
Trying to ensure your shoes are the same colour as whatever is covering your legs creates a seamless flow from waist to toes. If you’re wearing a skirt with bare legs, consider a nude shoe. Or, if you plan on wearing black pants or a suit, definitely pop some black shoes on.
By doing this, the eye struggles to distinguish where your legs finish and your feet start, making your legs look longer than they really are and creating the illusion of height.
Experiment to see what works
Of course, don’t be afraid to mix and match these tips and tricks. Dark colours can be included in every outfit choice and patterns can be mixed with plain clothes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can wearing high-contrast colours make me look shorter?
It depends on your outfit and the amount of layering involved. But to put it simply, wearing high-contrast colours can make you appear shorter by creating a horizontal break at the point where the colours meet.
For example, a white shirt on a black pair of trousers. The stark contrast draws attention to different body parts, making you appear shorter. To avoid this, opt for similar neutral tones or a monochromatic look to maintain a lengthening effect.
Are darker colours always better for a taller look?
While darker colours can indeed enhance your appearance and make you look taller, they aren’t always the best choice. Dark fabric shades like navy, black, and deep charcoal can create a slimming look with a streamlined silhouette.
But the real key is to opt for a monochromatic or tonal outfit that maintains a continuous vertical line—regardless of darkness. Even light and pastel colours can work as well, provided that you wear a cohesive and well-fitted ensemble.
What are the best colour combinations for petite figures?
Similar to the rest of the body shapes, the ideal colour combinations for petite figures are those that create a streamlined, lengthening effect. Monochromatic looks like those sporting navy, peach, or natural tones offer depth without disrupting your natural vertical line.
Consider experimenting with cream, soft grey, or beige colours. What matters is that you maintain a cohesive and well-fitted tone and style.
You can also experiment with combinations such as mint and lavender, or pale yellow and soft blue, as they all add interest without ruining the subtle, height-boosting look.
How do accessories affect my overall height appearance?
Large, bulky accessories can be overwhelming for petite frames and make you look even shorter. On the other hand, sleek, minimal pieces balance your overall look.
Vertical accessories like pendant necklaces or scarves can also enhance vertical lines and draw the eyes downward, enhancing the vertical effect. Belts that match your outfit’s colour can also help define the waist without breaking the vertical line in the middle.
Avoid wearing oversized bags and wide belts to maintain the visual flow. Choose accessories that complement your proportions to enhance a taller, more elegant look.
Can layering different tones help elongate my body?
Yes, and in more ways than you can imagine! Using shades from the same colour family will visually stretch your silhouette. Layering them on top of each other will surely boost this effect and add a touch of interest to your outfit without breaking the visual flow.
Think about wearing a light blouse layered with a slightly darker coat or jacket—that would definitely be runway-worthy and boost the lengthening effect! Ensure you maintain a harmonious blend on all pieces and avoid high-contrast colours that ruin the style and elongated appearance.
