Slimming Outfit Ideas for Heavy Calves and Ankles

Can you barely squeeze your legs into a pair of boots because your calves are so wide? Have you given up wearing dresses because you don’t want anyone to see your large ankles?

You may not be able to change your muscular legs or the heavy ankles mother nature gave you, but you can make them a lot less noticeable. Here are some Dressing Tips to magically slim calves and ankles and feel less self-conscious.

Women with thick calves: Jessica Simpson, Ricki Lake, Helen Mirren, Alicia Keys -You’re in good company.

Wondering How to Make Your Calves Appear Smaller?

Try a Full Skirt

Heavy legs and ankles may make you feel like you can’t wear a skirt, but it’s simply not the case.  The general rule is, the wider the hemline, the slimmer your legs look.

Narrow pencil skirts that taper inward or any skirt that clings will emphasize the size of your lower legs. Instead, opt for swingy full or A-line cut skirts. These are the perfect dresses for big legs because they make your calves and ankles seem narrower by contrast.

As for the best skirt length? It’s just around the knees, either just above or slightly below, wherever you’d say is the narrowest part of your leg. It’s best if the hem is plain with no fancy stitching or embellishment.

Some women prefer a tea-length skirt to cover muscular calves, and this can sometimes work so long as 1) the skirt doesn’t stop right before or right at mid-calf (emphasizing the problem spot), 2. you wear your tea-length skirt with a modern shoe, as this length can sometimes look frumpy.

Other skirts or dresses for thick legs are maxis. They cover the problem area altogether. A maxi dress that ends at the ankle and has a high side slit adds some allure.

Wear Dark Pants

Pants are the obvious choice to cover your legs, but some pants are better than others.  Your best bet is a pair of solid-colored pants in a dark color. A solid color is more slimming than patterned pants ( ie: plaid) A dark color like dark burgundy will visually shrink your legs verses a bright or light color like light yellow.

Think Twice about Skinny Jeans

Tapered, skinny jeans that cling tightly to your legs will emphasize your calves. Instead, wear straight leg, bootcut or wide legs jeans to help camouflage the problem.

Avoid Cropped Pants and Capris

Capris and short cropped pants draw the eye to the fullest part of your calves and ankles, making your legs look stumpy.

Shift Attention Up Top

Another great dressing trick is: If you don’t want people looking at your legs, distract them. Wear dark colors below your waist and highlight your top half by wearing lighter colors near your face. Restrict prints to your upper body, and use fun accessories like scarves and jewelry to draw the eye up and away from thick calves and ankles.

Wear Tights

Dark opaque tights with matching dark shoes will make your legs look slender. Add a black skirt or dress into the mix, and your legs will appear to go on for miles.  Avoid contrasting or patterned tights, as they will become an unflattering focal point.

The Best Shoes for Thick Ankles and Calves Have

Chunky Heels

Your calves and ankles will looks slimmer if you wear shoes that make you look tall. Your best choice are  medium-height shoes with a chunky heel. Chunky heels are more in sync with shape of your calves and ankles, compared with skinny stilettos or tiny kitten heels that exaggerate large calves. The thicker your legs, the thicker and sturdier your heel should be.  Wedge and platform shoes work well too.

If you want to wear flats then try a pointed toe ballet flat or peep toe shoes The open part of the shoe exposes more of your feet elongating your legs and de-emphasizing heavy ankles and legs.

No Ankle Straps

Any strap around your ankles or ties lacing up your calves (i.e., tie-up espadrilles) draws attention to these trouble spots making your legs and ankles look extra large. The best shoes are a mule or a slide since they are open at the back and around the ankles which elongates your legs.  A slingback shoe with a high sturdy heel is fine too.

Pointy Toe

Round-toe shoes make legs look shorter and heavier, while pointy-toe shoes make your feel look longer and your legs slimmer.

Low Vamp

The lower the vamp, the longer and slimmer your leg will appear. So instead of a high top shoe,  go for one that cuts into the foot exposing more skin.

Nude Colored

When you match your skin color to your shoes, your legs gain a few inches. This will make you look taller, so your calves look slimmer.

The Best Boots for Thick Calves and Ankles

Tall, Wide Boots

A tall dress or a riding boot is excellent for large calves. Knee-high boots with some detail at the top, like stitching, studs, or a tassel will draw the eye up and away from thick ankles.

Higher Ankle Booties

Yes, you can wear them but higher than the ankle is better so you don’t emphasize the thickest part of your leg. Matching stockings or pants in the same color as your booties is best since it creates one solid vertical line.

Don’t let your heavy calves or ankles drag you down! Many of the world’s top athletes, ballerinas, and celebrities have thick legs, but that doesn’t stop them from looking fabulous, so don’t let it stop you.