Long Waisted? 6 Style Tricks to Balance Your Figure

Do your tops feel too short? Do your pants feel too long? Do you carry your weight in your hips and bottom?

Chances are you are long-waisted. Being long-waisted means the distance between your shoulders and natural waist is longer than average. In other words, you have a long torso and shorter legs, and your natural waist sits very low. Picture celebrities like Cher, Clair Danes, Kelly Clarkson, Kiera Knightley, and Olivia Wilde, and you get the idea.

The problem with being long-waisted is that it can make you seem shorter than you are. You can also look bottom-heavy, so knowing how to dress to balance your shape is essential.

The goal if you are long-waisted? Raise your waistline and make your legs look longer to shorten your torso. Here are six simple ways to do that:

1. Wear Longer Tops and Tuck in

If your waist sits low, it can be challenging to find long enough tops. You don’t want “I shrunk my top look” or to have your tummy hanging out if your top rides up. Tops for long-waisted women can be hard to find because you need to have a top or shirt that is long enough to reach your naturally low waist. (A tall women’s store is an excellent place to shop for clothes for long-waisted women) Tucking your top in will raise your waistline and make you look more proportionally.

2. Empire or A-line – The Best  Clothes For Long Waisted Women

Empire waist tops and dresses that are narrow up top and gently taper outward create the illusion of a raised waist. The focus remains high, away from your low center point. A-line dresses have a similar effect. They’re perfect for women with long torsos because they have no waistline.

Keep hemlines at or above the knee to reveal your legs and make you look taller. Detail like a statement necklace or a fancy collar at the neckline will also help direct the eye upwards.

3. Avoid Low Rise Pants

Low-slung pants will make your legs look stubby. Instead, try mid-rise. They’re the best pants for long-waisted women because they raise your waistline. High-rise pants are also an option and will elongate your legs. Tuck an elegant blouse into high-waisted pants, add heels, and get a fabulous look! Avoid cropped pants that cut you off mid-calf; they will only shorten the legs more. Pants with cuffs will do the same. Could you stay away from them too?

4. Match Your Shoes to Your Pants

A simple trick to make your legs look longer is to wear shoes the same color as your pants. For example, gray pants with gray shoes create an unbroken line that makes you look taller and thinner. Heels also help to pump up the height but avoid chunky heels because they will make your legs look heavy. If you prefer flat shoes, buy pointy-toe flats, not round, to visually add a couple of extra inches to your legs.

5. Wear Short Jackets

Jackets that end higher up on your torso work best if you are long-waisted. Choose a shrug, a bolero, or a cropped jacket, no longer than your hipbone.

6. Try a Wide Belt

Long-waisted women have a lot of room between the ribcage and waist, so if that’s you, fill up that space with a belt. By wearing a medium to wide belt a touch above your natural waistline, you gracefully break up the length of your upper body.

For a complete look at your body type and the clothes you need to wear, whether long-waisted, short-waisted, or just average, check out the excellent online style tool, My Private Stylist. 

This article by: Emily Monkman