by Kimberley Heit

Created on: January 18, 2009   Last Updated: April 27, 2012

Women who have a long waist suffer from the appearance of short legs. With the right clothing you can visually increase the length of your legs and diminish the length of your waist. You might not become an Elle Macpherson leggy look a like, but you can certainly create a well proportioned appearance.

If you aren't sure whether you have a long waist or not complete the following exercise to find out:

-Measure your leg height from the top of your hip to the floor

-Measure along your back from the base of the neck to where your waist curves inwards.

-Now divide the leg measurement by the back waist measurement.

If the result is less then 2.65 inches then you have a long waist. The lower this number the longer your waist.

If you have discovered that you do indeed have a long waist then consider the following fashion advice for dressing to flatter this shape.

Styles to flatter a long waist:

-Pant hems that brush the ground, lengthening the line of the leg.

-Layered tops can break up the visual impact of a long waist

-Boleros or short jackets

-Wide belts help visually shorten waist length

-The waist of pants of skirts should sit at your natural waist or only an inch below the belly button.

-Horizontal stripes-add width and detract from length

-Strapless tops and empire line tops both create a horizontal lines across the body

-Tops and jackets should extend no further then your hip bone

-Wear vertical stripes on the legs to lengthen this area

-Try wearing a dress over trousers to cover up where the waist ends and legs begin

-Wear shoes and hosiery or socks which match the color you are wearing on your bottom half to elongate this area.

-Maxi dresses with empire waists can look very flattering.

Styles to avoid:

-Cropped trousers-these make your legs look even shorter

-Dropped waist styles-you will visually lengthen your waist even further

-Low rise bottoms and hipster jeans-these draw the eye down even further

-Belts in the same color as your top, you want to break up the length of your waist with a contrasting color.

-Bodysuits-they are likely to be uncomfortable and the solid line creates length.

-Tops or jackets with vertical stripes

Each time you put on an outfit, stand in front of a full length mirror and ask yourself if the combination is helping to ensure you to look balanced. Only wear the combination if you can confidently say yes. If you have trouble getting clothing in the right length to flatter your long waist consider having items tailored. A simple alteration, such as taking two inches off the length of a jacket so that it sits at high hip can really improve your silhouette.

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