How to Look Taller in Shoes

Co-authored by Ashley Kahn

Last Updated: April 12, 2024 References

If you want to look taller, new shoes are one of the easiest ways to do it. Whether you’re looking for an extreme height boost or just a subtle lift, choosing the right pair of shoes can help you look taller without sacrificing style. Keep reading to learn which shoes are best for looking taller, plus how to pair them with pieces in your wardrobe to make cute outfits.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Picking the Right Shoes

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Use insoles to help you look taller in shoes you already own. If you don’t want to buy a new pair of shoes, you can alter the ones you already have with a pair of insoles. Insole pads come in a number of different styles, including fabric, gel, and silicone, and simply slip inside your shoe, making them invisible. You can find insoles at most footwear stores.
- If you need to use your insoles with high heels or open toed shoes, look for specialty insoles designed specifically for that type of footwear.
Get shoes with heels for a major height boost. Heeled shoes come in a wide variety of sizes and, on average, can give you anywhere between 1 in (2.5 cm) and 3 in (7.6 cm) of additional height. Though heeled shoes are quite noticeable, they go well with a variety of outfits and are considered appropriate for most formal occasions.^{[1]
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If you want to enjoy the benefits of high heels without calling attention to yourself, look for footwear that hides heels inside the shoe itself. Not only do these hidden wedges lift you further off the ground, they are often more comfortable than traditional heels because they have full arch support.^{[2]
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Try platform shoes for a subtle lift. Platform shoes are a type of flat footwear that have an incredibly thick outsole. They make your legs appear longer by lifting you further off the ground. If you want to avoid calling attention to your elevated soles, wear long pants or a maxi skirt that covers the tops of your shoes.^{[3]
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Similar to platform shoes, elevator shoes have additional material added to their soles that lift them further off the ground. However, the shoes contain this lift to the outer heel and include an additional insert within the heel itself. Elevator shoes normally have a distinct, fancy style, so save them for high-class functions.^{[4]
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Buy air-cushioned shoes for a stylish lift. Though designed for use in sports and other athletic activities, shoes with air-cushioned soles have the added benefit of making whoever wears them appear taller. Manufacturers like Nike and Reebok offer shoes with built in air-cushion technology, and since the companies are incredibly popular their designs are stylish by association.^{[5]
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Wear shoes that show some skin to make your legs look longer. If you’re wearing a long skirt, dress, or pair of pants, put on a pair of shoes that are cut to show a little more of the top of your foot. This will help you expose as much skin as possible, making your legs appear longer.^{[6]
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- For example, instead of wearing ankle booties that cover the whole top of your foot, you might wear a heel that's open all the way down to right above your toes.^{[7]
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  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
- Wearing nude shoes that match your skin tone will also help make your legs look longer.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
Wear long boots with short outfits to make you look taller. If you’re wearing an incredibly short skirt or pair of pants, contrast it with boots that go over your knees. This sharp contrast will bring attention to your legs and make them look longer.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Putting Together a Flattering Outfit

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Baggy clothing items, including stretched t-shirts, loose dresses, and oversized suits, drape down over your body and make it appear significantly shorter. You can combat this with fitted clothes, which bring attention to your physique while making your legs and torso appear longer. You don’t need to wear things that are extremely tight, just items that fit you well.
V-neck tops have large, upside down triangles cut into the front collar, revealing the area immediately below your neck. By showing some extra skin, the v-neck draws people’s eyes to the top of your chest, making your upper body appear longer.^{[10]
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Most lower-body clothing items have waistlines designed to sit on or around your hips. However, fashion retailers also sell specialty pants, skirts, and dresses with much higher waistlines. When worn with a short or tucked-in shirt, these clothing items shift your waistline up and make your legs look longer.
In addition to shifting your waistline up, you can also bring your clothing’s hemline down. Flared jeans, maxi skirts, and other extra-long clothing items will make you appear taller simply by virtue of their added length. To be effective, the item’s hemline should sit between your ankle and the bottom of your foot.
Hats, scarves, glasses, pocket squares, tie pins, and other accessories are not only fashionable, they can make you appear taller by drawing people’s eyes toward your upper body. Don’t use more than 2 or 3 accessories at a time, though, as it will bog down the look.
Vertical lines make your body appear longer by leading people’s eyes up and down as opposed to left and right. You can create a strong vertical line by making all your clothing a single shade, or you can create multiple lines by wearing items with vertical stripes on them.

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How can I style my shoes to make myself look taller?

Ashley Kahn
Wardrobe Stylist
Ashley Kahn is a Wardrobe Stylist based in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Ashley styles women both in-person and virtually and is passionate about empowering women through the art of personal style. She believes every woman deserves to feel comfortable, classy, and confident every single day. Ashley holds a business degree from Sam Houston State University. She has been featured on KPRC's Channel 2 Houston Life and ABC 13's Check This Out Houston and in the Houstonia magazine. Ashley has also hosted Macy’s “The Wardrobe Edit” and the “It List” fashion shows.

Ashley Kahn

Wardrobe Stylist

Expert Answer

Of course, a higher heel is always going to make you look taller. However, you can also lengthen the appearance of your legs by wearing shoes that show off the top of your foot, like a heel that's cut to just above your toes. You can even wear nude-colored shoes to make your legs look longer.

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I'm 5'5 and a woman. Am I average or am I too short?

Bracey Turner

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5'5 is about the average height for a woman. You are not too short.

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Is 5'8 really short for women?

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Not at all. The average height for women in the U.S. is 5'4, so you're actually a bit on the tall side.

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Tips

Make sure to keep you back straight whenever standing or walking. Slouching will get rid of any height added by your shoes or outfit.

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