9 Dos & Don’ts to Look Taller and Slimmer in Clothes after 40
Think you might be shrinking? You are, and so am I! As we age, everything from our hair to our hearing, memory, muscles, and even our height tends to decline. In fact, after the age of 40, we lose approximately half an inch every decade, and the rate of loss increases even more after 70.
Getting shorter also means you can suddenly look heavier, even though you haven’t gained a pound. And, if you’ve always been on the petite side, the change can be even more dramatic. So, how can you dress to regain that extra half-inch or more so you don’t look short and stocky?
9 Ways to Instantly Look Taller and Slimmer in Your 40s, 50s & 60s
1. Do Match Tones or Go for a Monochromatic Look
Color has the power to make you appear taller or shorter. Wearing different colors divides your body, making you appear shorter and wider. I like to dress in a single-color family from head to toe to appear taller instantly. For example, an ivory top with ivory pants and ivory shoes will keep you looking long and lean. Are you worried that using only one color might look too bland? Be sure to mix up the same color pieces in different textures to keep things interesting.
2. Do Wear Vertical Lines
Clothing with vertical lines that draw the eye up and down can make you appear taller. For example, wearing vertical stripes can elongate your appearance. So does clothing with a long row of buttons, a zipper that runs top to bottom, a long scarf, or anything with a ribbed pattern. Even an unbuttoned jacket with a solid color underneath allows the eye to flow from top to bottom.
3. Do Wear Heels
This is an obvious one that many women avoid because they are concerned about comfort, but remember that you don’t have to wear stilettos to get some height. Even an inch helps. Other aspects of shoes, beyond heels, can make you appear taller. A pointy toe will make you look taller than a rounded toe, and a shoe with a low cut (low vamp) exposes more skin, making you look taller.
Also,a nude shoe will also lengthen the leg. Be sure to choose a nude color that closely matches your skin tone for this to work effectively. Alternatively, if you are wearing a colored shoe, an open-toe shoe can help elongate the leg.
4. Do Put Your Hair Up
Another way to look taller and slimmer is through your choice of hairstyle. Sweeping your hair up and off your shoulders elongates your neck, making you look taller and thinner. Keep your updo slim on the sides and high at the top. A wide hairstyle takes away from your height. Short hair also makes you look taller; hair with some teasing or layers at the top gives you that extra height you need.
5. Don’t wear Capris or Pants with a Cuff
Capris that hit mid-calf or Ccuffs on pants break the line of the pants and make you look shorter. Long flowing pants that touch the top of your foot elongate your legs and make you look more statuesque. As for capris…Why cut yourself off at mid-calf when you want your legs to look long and lean? Stay away from these.
6. Do Wear V-Necks
To look taller and slimmer, try wearing a V-neckline. V-necklines on tops, dresses, and sweaters open up the chest, elongating the neck and making the wearer appear taller. On the other hand, Crew necklines focus the eye from side to side, making you look wider.
7. Do Wear Tailored Clothing
Big, baggy clothing makes you look boxy and short. Tailored clothing is more slimming. For example, a structured jacket paired with slim pants or a simple sheath dress with clean lines will make you appear taller and slimmer than a loose, billowy blouse worn with a flowy, tiered peasant skirt. Always keep the word streamlined in mind when choosing clothes. For example, a tailored trench will make you appear a few inches taller than the rest of the crowd.
8. Don’t Wear Wide Belts
A belt divides the body, so there is no belt, and you look taller. If you do want to wear a belt, choose one that does not overpower. Opt for a narrower belt over a very wide one. If you still think you look cut off at the waist, choose a belt in the same color as your outfit so there is very little contrast.
9. Don’t Wear Heavy, Bulky Fabrics and Chunky Knits
There are certain fabrics to avoid if you want to appear taller. Thick, heavy-textured fabrics like tweed and boucle, as well as chunky knits, can create a wider appearance, making you appear shorter and heavier. Instead, opt for smooth, med-fine materials to create the illusion you are slimmer and taller.
Tweak Your Chic to Look Fabulous After 40!
Shrinking as you age is real, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for looking shorter and stockier. When you start to Tweak Your Chic—like trading crew necks for V-necks or skipping the chunky knits—you’ll be surprised how much taller and slimmer you can look. It’s all about making smart style choices that trick the eye and help you reclaim that lost half an inch and feel confident once again.
Do you have any style tricks you use to Tweak Your Chic and Make yourself look taller and slimmer as you age? I’d love to add them to my list. Comment below!
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