When the distance between your shoulders and natural waist is longer than average, you are long-waisted. Gals who fit this description should wear clothing that shortens the torso, raises the waistline and lengthens the legs. Here are a few guidelines:

  • Wear a waist-cinching belt in a contrasting colour. This breaks up the length of the torso. Belts that match the colour of your bottoms are particularly effective.
  • Wear high belted style jackets, coats and blouses. Wrap blouses are especially good.
  • Layer with contrasting top colours to visually break up the torso.
  • Wear tops that taper above the natural waist like empire lines.
  • Wear tops tucked into pants and skirts with mid to high rises to raise the waistline.
  • Look for tops with horizontal detailing like stripes, yokes and exaggerated collars. This raises the eye upward and the waistline too.
  • Wear skirts at the knee and with a heel to balance out the leg line.
  • Wear pants extra long and with heels (my PPL theory).
  • Avoid pants with cuffs. They shorten the leg line and draw the eye downwards.

As usual, this is about restoring balance by putting the emphasis in the right place.

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Patent Leather Belt French Connection 'Calamity' Blouse Diane von Furstenberg 'Tokalau' Printed Silk Jersey Wrap Dress

Left: An empire blue top with waist-cinching white belt over a pair of white pants shortens the torso beautifully. Middle: A top tucked into a high-waisted pair of pants or skirt does the same. Right: The empire line shortens the length of the torso by focusing above the natural waist.