I'm 2 inches shorter than you and twice your age. I can assure you, when you are short, there's very little you can do to appear taller.... I've tried.
Actually you can look taller in photos - with nobody else standing around you for reference - but I don't think that's what you mean. You want to look taller to others, right?
Or is it that you want to look more age appropriate? Because they are two different things. If so, I would suggest searching the site for Angie's smart casual formula, and emphasizing jackets whenever you can. A jacket will give you a stronger shoulder line and more "presence."
For your new job, (congrats, btw!) choose quality fabrics (budget permitting) especially for your knitwear (no cheap cotton tee shirts - those scream college student).
As for shoes, heels can give you a bit of height but don't go too crazy. Personally, I always thought 4 inch or higher heels make us short people look silly, like we're trying to hard or something. A moderate heel no more than 2.5 inches works just fine and saves your feet and back too.
Otherwise, learn to enjoy your height, since it's not something you can change. For example, did you know us shorties have a dating edge? I don't remember where I learned this (I think it was a PBS special), but apparently when men are scouting for women in a bar or other type crowd like a party where singles meet and mingle, they naturally look down, not up. So they will not easily notice any women who are taller than they are. But this means that all the men taller than 5'2" in the room will lay eyes on you. That is probably all of the men, so your chances of meeting someone and your choices are greater than those of your taller peers.
Sorry my taller friends!... but heck you get greater choice with clothing, so there has to be *some* advantage for us short people!
