Should shoe and pant color- match for a longer look?

Glory

Hi ladies, I am wondering if one is petite and wearing jeans - is it better to go with a darker shoe to lengthen the leg? I just read that in another blog and want to see what others think about this. Still struggling with my footwear

13 years ago

Dressing

7 replies

Latest reply was from JR

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Keeping the colour of your trousers/jeans the same colour, or low contrasting colours, as your leg line will elongate your silhouette.

This is a guideline, but NOT AT ALL a must.

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Agree with Angie. I am a petite too but am learning to wear different colored shoes, which means I am no longer always wearing a shoe that is low contrast to my pants.

Learning to bookend my hair with my shoes has been fun too.

While no expert I would suggest that some silhouettes also create a leg lengthening effect too.

13 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

If the jeans are the best length (covering the shoe if flared) this will also help to elongate the leg-line.
A heel worn with narrower jeans will also do the trick.
Maybe take some pics if you are able and we can be more specific?

13 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

No surprise that I totally agree with Angie. I don't think a dark shoe elongates your shape unless you are wearing dark pants! A dark shoe with a light pant stops the eye dead. That sudden stop makes everything look more abbreviated. Sometimes that stop can be really helpful. For example, today I wore a skirt that was a little short. Wearing a dark shoe with it helped to stop the eye so that my legs didn't appear quite so long, quite so exposed. The black shoe stops the eye and shortens my leg line.

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

k can shop: fascinating. It's funny how much of "figure flattery" is about optical illusion.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I'm petite and have been doing this for years. I think it does elongate the legs, Yes, it's an optical illusion, lol! I agree that the shoe color needs to blend with (be close to) the color of the pants. A dark shoe with light-colored pants, or vice versa, will not give you the desired elongating effect.

13 years ago

Veteran

K, fascinating thought to use the effect in the opposite direction. Thanks for that.

13 years ago

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