Angel Post: Found On Inside Out Style Blog

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Found Here - Inside Out Blog E is for Elongation

E is for Elongation

Many women tell me that they'd like to look taller, or slimmer, so today I thought that I'd cover E for Elongation to help you all with this quest.

So let's get back to basics and think about how to use line to create the illusion of length and/or slimness.

• Vertical lines lengthen.
• Horizontal lines shorten and broaden.

Vertical lines by imogenl featuring a long sleeve silk blouse

To elongate you want to ensure you have more vertical lines and  less horizontal lines.

How and where are verticals found in clothes?

• Plackets
• Jacket edges
• Center creases on trousers
• Rows of buttons (up and down)
• Pleats
• Pin stripes
• Vertical seams such as princess seams and darts

Because horizontal lines shorten and widen, you need to be aware of where you will find them in garments:

Horizontal lines by imogenl featuring sheer tops

• Hems of sleeves, tops, pants, skirts etc.
• Yokes
• Pockets
• Horizontal prints
• Seams
• Trims
• Distressing and whiskering
• Straps and high vamps on shoes
• Buttons on double breasted jackets and coats
• Cuffs on trousers
• Boarder prints

So if you want to slim, then you only want to put horizontal lines on:

1. Your narrow points (so this is the – where do I end tops, jackets etc. rule)
2. On the points you want to broaden to create balance

5 Easy Ways to Elongate to Look Taller and Slimmer:

1. Find garments with more verticals (as natural hemlines that garments all have will create lots of horizontals) without adding extra ones.
2. Tone shoes to trousers or tights or legs.
3. Wear heels, if you like them.
4. Wear low vamp shoes.
5. Wear fabrics that skim and drape close to your body.

and a bonus 6th:

The easiest way to look taller is to use the column of colour concept, which I've covered here and here and evenhere.  It's simple, the longer the unbroken vertical line, the taller you will appear.  Just remember, a column of colour doesn't have to mean only wearing black head to toe or only wearing one colour, you can still wear two or three colours, it's just how you put them together.

Column of colour by imogenl featuring a collared dress

So instead of breaking up your body by alternating colours, you can try elongating by creating a flow.

E is for elongation by imogenl featuring tall boots

Related posts:

1. Horizontal Stripes – the rules
2. How to Look Taller Using a Column of Colour
3. Using a Column of Colour to Look Taller and Slimmer