Tips To Dress Tall When Wearing Long Over Long
Petite women are often advised to wear shorter skirts to elongate their legs and create visual height.
I followed this rule up until about four years ago. Short skirts didn’t align with my personal style sense anymore and I found them awkward to wear. I was always pulling and adjusting, worried about a wardrobe malfunction or flashing bits I’d rather keep private. I still wear them sometimes, mostly with tights but I much prefer midis and maxis which I find feminine, easy to wear and oh yeah … elongating surprisingly enough!
Wearing a midi skirt with a shorter jacket like I did below is an easy way to visually gain a few inches however it’s not the only way.
Wearing long over long can add visual height by creating one tall lean line.
Let me show you what I mean…
I started out by matching my boots to my skirt colour which I mentioned in my last post. If you’re wearing a maxi skirt you don’t really need to worry about that as most people won’t even see your footwear.
Tip #1 To Dress Tall When Wearing Long Over Long
Wear boots to match your skirt or pants.
I layered up with a long jacket.
And yeah, okay…the heels are a big part of this look. It would look quite schlumpy if I’d worn flats.
Tip #2 To Dress Tall When Wearing Long Over Long
Wear heels.
Yeah I know…it’s not rocket science people.
Did you notice another elongating trick?
Keeping all your tones the same. Textures change but the colour tones are all closely related.
Tip #3 To Dress Tall When Wearing Long Over Long
Keep your colour tones similar.
Tip #4 To Dress Tall When Wearing Long Over Long
Wear something high waisted.
Creating the illusion of longer legs is always good.
What’s that saying? You can never be too rich or have legs that are too long. Something like that.
Tip #5 To Dress Tall When Wearing Long Over Long
Make sure your clothes fit your body correctly.
Oversized ill fitting clothes will make you look shorter than you are.
Since I was trying to figure out how to make this look cold weather friendly I continued layering up.
I added another furry layer.
I topped off the outfit with the vintage coat below without the belt.
Belting becomes uncomfortable with so many layers.
I also chose a different scarf that wasn’t so bulky under the coat.
When it’s -20 C outside I don’t mess around.
Mostly though I try not to leave the house. #truestory #welcometowinter #wintersucks
Here are a few other examples pairing long over long.
I’m dubbing my most recent look “Out of Africa”.
If ever there was a film to inspire elegant timeless layered dressing that was it.
Do you have any additional tips to dress tall when wearing long over long?
Please share!
Linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday
Hollie Ramsey says
I love all of those long outfits!! I specially love the green hat with gold blouse ensemble.
suzanne carillo says
Now if only I could find that damn gold blouse again. It is my favourite and seems to have vanished into thin air.
Wendy says
Love the “Out of Africa” outfit , all of your long coats and the boats in your first outfit!
As 5’3” I do appreciate your tips. Thank you!
suzanne carillo says
I’m glad you find them useful Wendy! Us petite gals need to stick together.
Wendy says
Sorry “boots” not boats …..
Jazzy Jack says
I love the way you add texture to make the outfit more interesting depite the tonal similarities. These tips are really great and I still follow them at 5’91/2″. Although I can get away with flats. I love long lean lines, and I especially love that blue velvet long coat! Wow! xo Jazzy Jack
suzanne carillo says
I really wish I had the opportunity to wear the long blue coat more often. It is so close to the ground on me that when it snows or rains I can’t wear it.
How I *wish* I could get away with flats.
You really are very tall. Lucky duck.
beate says
there is exactly nothing to add! you covered the theme perfectly!
and you look it! perfect proportions, elegant silhouette, and the colors are very flattering on you too – PLUS wonderful fashionable details!
hooray for longer skirts – i find them much more comfy too!
xxxxx
suzanne carillo says
You and I have very similar tastes. You know what they say about great minds thinking alike and all : )
Vix says
I’d steal absolutely everything you’re wearing, you look wonderful in everything.
I used to wear skirts that barely covered my arse (and still do, occasionally) claiming that, at 5 foot 3″ I couldn’t wear longer lengths , that was until twenty three years ago when we were due to travel to Tangier in Morocco and on doing some research realised that I’d need to cover up a bit to avoid causing an outrage. I found a few maxi dresses and skirts in charity shops and threw them in my bag. At first it felt weird to have skirts trailing around my ankles but when I looked at the trip photos when I got home I loved how tall I looked – the rest they say is history!
suzanne carillo says
It’s funny how our preconceived ideas can change so drastically.
You are a great inspiration for my love of maxi dresses and skirts. They all look incredible on you.
Rachel G says
I really like the long coat over long skirt look, although, of course, it helps to have such absolutely fabulous coats! When I actually lived in a cold place I would always keep my eye out for a lovely long dress coat but never found the perfect one at the perfect price…probably a good thing now that I’ll never need a coat!
suzanne carillo says
Yes, it is quite a different lifestyle never needing another coat. In fact I have a hard time imagining it.
Ann says
As a fellow petite I can only approve of you showing us what to wear and how. I’ve ditched the short skirts as well, feeling much more comfortable and confident in midi skirts, but I’m still learning a trick or two from you, like wearing a long coat over a long skirt! You are looking elegant, as well as tall, in all the outfits you featured. That rust coloured skirt is stunning, but the look which most appealed to me is the one featuring the gold pussy bow blouse and the green hat. I’m loving the coat too. But brr, minus 20°C, it doesn’t bear thinking about! xxx
suzanne carillo says
Thankfully our really cold weather seems to have left us for a bit. It really was depressing. We are getting some respite as the temperature is going above zero today and tomorrow. My fingers are crossed that it stays that way but I have a feeling that I might be wishing in vain.
FancyBoy says
Love a duster length and longer jacket—-I also wear short skirts, tho!!!
suzanne carillo says
With your sexy pins it’d be a travesty not to wear short skirts!
Shelley@ForestCityFashionista says
Until I met you in person, I always thought you were as tall as I am, so obviously your technique works! The outfit with the deep rust tones, the hat, and furry scarf is something I would consider to be quintessentially “Suzanne”. The silhouette totally works for you. I’ve tried wearing those kinds of shapes and they just don’t feel right on me, but I still love a short skirt (with tights and legwarmers in the winter).
suzanne carillo says
I think you have your own style nailed down Shelley. It really suits you.
The one time I think I shocked other bloggers with my lack of height was when I went to Holland and Sylvia, Greetje and Anja were all so much taller than me. Greetje especially. I felt like a little person.
jodie filogomo says
The tone on tone is exactly how my mom loves to put together an outfit!! The longer skirts are super especially for the cold weather because you can layer a couple of pairs of tights under them….LOL!!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
suzanne carillo says
I agree. No one knows what you’re hiding underneath!
I often use those warm fleece lined tights when it’s really cold which I can barely stand. They never seem to stay at my waist and I’m constantly pulling them up.
Two pairs of tights would really make me feel like a sausage in casing but I’m sure it is very toasty.
Melanie says
Your tips are right on – and so well illustrated. Seriously, you have enough tips on your blog for a book! Useful and funny. The vintage winter coat is pretty amazing too. I can’t believe how cold it is there after such a mild winter there last year. Don’t go outside!
suzanne carillo says
I know! Bring back last year’s winter! This one sucks!
Thankfully today it is finally above zero. Everything is a mess though with all of the snow, slush and salt. Winter isn’t for looking pretty.
Señora Allnut says
I love your ‘Out of Africa’ outfit!, so fabulous layering, so perfect shape, and so great advice. I always love to read some advice on wearing midi-maxi skirts with long coats, by a master! You totally rock this combo!
And so lovely color combo, the textures and prints, the accessories!, everything!!!
I can’t even imagine -20ºC, as I almost freeze in our -8ºC.
besos & calor!
suzanne carillo says
I kind of figure that anything below -10 C you really can’t tell the difference of temperature…it’s just damn COLD! ; P
Elle says
Wow Suzanne, I really love these tips!
Your first outfit is so GUCCI looking! I love love love it,.
I also love the way you did the layers of russet in that beautiful long coat, over a skirt combination. When you added the extra furry layer it became a sensational outfit.
You always dazzle. Fabulous fedora too.
I agree with these tips, and yes to heels for this look!
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
suzanne carillo says
I do wish I could just forgo the heels though. At 51 I expect that I will only be losing inches from now on and not gaining any. My Mom seems to shrink every time I see her.
Veronica Cooke says
I think I’ve said it before – I wouldn’t dream of wearing a midi length skirt/dress without long boots as I’m too short. I see you’ve done that with all these outfits. They all look fab on you but I really do like the ‘Out of Africa’ look! I also loved the mustard pussy bow blouse and checkered skirt.
I recently experimented with a maxi skirt and a fitted tunic on top; I didn’t get a photo taken unfortunately but I think it worked….
suzanne carillo says
Shame you didn’t get a photo. I’m sure it did work very well on you.
Nicole says
I love all your long skirts- that green/blue floral outfit with the owl purse is AMAZING!!! Definitely one of my favourite outfits of yours!
Marilee Gramith says
I purchased a long sort of British riding coat at a consignment store last Spring. I’m quite certain that your influence led me to this buy. I haven’t worn it yet but I now have lots of fabulous new styling examples to consider. I’ve been 5’7″ most of my life. Then I lost an inch. When I had done Yoga for about a year I learned that I regained a half inch!
I’ve been a long time “column of color” supporter. I actually find it challenging and fun to find tonal pieces to put together and when I started to do more pattern mixing it became even more fun to find color, pattern and texture that could work together.
You are a great teacher Suzanne. The fact that you always offer a LARGE variety of excellent illustrations for your teaching objective is tutorial genius.
Jessica says
Love these looks Suzanne! i love this combination of long lengths and beautiful colors on you. The jacquard rust jacket is up my alley and I love all of the rich brown tones. The beautiful blue floral dress is my fav with the velvet booties. This sillouette is very flattering!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com