by Kimberley Heit

Created on: December 19, 2012

Like any other item of fashion, your shoes can either enhance your figure, or have an unflattering effect on it. This article looks at how to pick out tall boots that flatter your height and figure. If you are either tall or short, versus average height, you should combine the tips for your height with the tips for body shape. Occasionally these tips may be in opposition and you will need to find a compromise between the two.

Flattering boots for short women

If you are short and want to look as tall as possible, it is important to choose boots that come to the right height on your leg. If you choose boots that hit through your mid-calf area you will make your legs look shorter. Ideally choose styles that come to just under the knee. Also try to stick to simple styles. Styles with lots of buckles, studs or extra zippers can also make your legs look shorter.

Flattering boots for tall women

Tall women can wear a variety of boot heights as they have the legs to pull them off, they can also wear boots that feature details like cuff, extra buckles, other features. If you have the desire to minimize how tall you look, wearing boots with cuffs or details is even more important. Another option is to try wearing a pair of boots that ends at mid-calf height, over a style that ends just above or below the knee.

Tips on choosing boots for your figure:

Top heavy figures

Women who are bigger on top than the bottom, can always balance out their bottom half by choosing boots that have detailing at the calves. For example try styles with fur cuffs, they add a little volume and tend to draw the eyes to your great legs.

Athletic or straight up and down figures

You can create more shape on a straight up and down body by selecting tall boots that end through the middle of your calf, as this is one of the curviest places on the leg. Also consider wearing boots that feature some form of extra detailing. As has been mentioned this could be a boot with a fur cuff, extra zippers, buckles or other details.

Pear shaped figures

Pear shaped women tend to look best in simple boots that come to just below the knee as this is the smallest point on the leg past the ankle. Avoid boots that end lower on the leg as they are likely to make your lower body look wider. Sometimes it can be beneficial to look for boots that fit at the ankle, but are slightly loose around the calf, as it can help create more balance between your thighs and your lower legs. This is especially the case if you are wearing leggings or skinny leg pants.

Hourglass shaped figures

As an hourglass you are blessed to have equal proportions from top to bottom. When choosing boots the ideal styles are those that do not throw this balance out. That means you should look for a pair of tall boots that fits to your ankles and calves. Styles too slouchy through the ankle, or not fitted to the calf tend to be less flattering.

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