Small/thin calves and ankles

Angel

i would love to wear short dresses and shorts but i get very conscious when i do because my calves and ankles are too thin. I especially can't wear high heels with dresses cos i know i look ridiculous. Is there a way i can make my calves/ankles bigger. Or maybe a certain way i can dress to make them look bigger.
I mean,i can't keep wearing pants to weddings and other functions.

12 years ago

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

You want your ankles to look bigger? :S I have small bones, but I like wearing skirts to show them off - I find that skirts that end at the widest part of my calf generally makes my leg looks bigger (and is what I avoid); but if you were interested in this look, you could try this!

12 years ago

Marigold

Active Member

Small ankles and calves are beautiful! I can almost wrap my hand from thumb to the pointing finger around mine but don't hide them (not anymore at least). By wearing sandals with ankle straps you can visually fill them up a little - embrace your slim ankles :)!

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hrm, not sure why you'd want to disguise your dainty ankles and calves, but you can do the opposite of the rest of us who want them to look smaller, lol!

Any embellishments around these areas will add volume - cuffs, straps, buckles, bows, fringe, pockets (yes, I've seen pockets on boots!), chains, embroidery, etc.

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Make sure your shoes aren't too clunky. I like ankle straps (mostly because my style just heads that way, but also because I kind of have chicken legs), but I find that really heavy shoes just make my legs look silly.

12 years ago

Kookaburra

Active Member

I can sympathise as I have a bit of the same problem - it's not too drastic, but in certain outfits I look like Olive Oyl - esp, with my long feet. The best thing I find is wearing boots - and I stretch the boot season as long as possible by wearing them with bare legs. Flats also make my ankles look not so thin, especially rounded-toe or square-toe flats, so they are a good option if the outfit can handle it. Pointed toes can be tricky - I don't know why, but pointed toes do make my ankles look skinnier, so I try to avoid them.
Heels can be a problem as you say - I don't like wearing them anyway. I guess trial and error is the key to heels, and some shoe and heel shapes definitely make a visual difference.
Just as an illustration of this - my 11yo daughter, who I thought had the most fabulous long legs when she wears short shorts with Rabens or thongs - the other week tried on a pair of high heels at a shop as a joke. And I kid you not - her legs looked horrible, really incredibly disastrously bad (issues of seeing an 11 yo wearing heels aside ). So yes, some legs look horrible in heels and much better in flats. Never generalise....

Oh and the last thing is to play with skirt lengths - everyone has their optimum length and mine is right on the knee cap. Or try maxis this year - guaranteed to hide thin calves, and a lovely fresh look at the moment.

12 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Angel, I have the opposite issue myself so I can't give you tips from my experience, other than to think that perhaps a lower heel would give your calves slightly larger proportions (the leg isn't elongated as much.) However, I really think that ladies with very slender legs can look absolutely stellar in dresses too. To name a few examples here that I can think of off the top of my head: Angie, Taylor, Maya, April... and Taylor wears very high heels beautifully. Don't give up!

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Kari! You are right on the nose with those forum members.

Angel, keep the heel refined and not too chunky. A stable heel is good, but a clunky heel is not. A good fit on the foot is essential and try not to go higher than three and half inches. Slouchy boots are a great option too.

12 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Aww Keri...You are such a sweetheart...you must have found the ONLY photo I haven't yet removed:) ...somehow snuck by me:)

Angel...I have super skinny legs...10 inch calves and 7 inch bracelets fit nicely around my ankels:) I don't care, I wear dresses/skirts anyway:)

12 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I've always had this problem to some degree. In addition to the advice you've received, You might find that pencil skirts and sheath dresses (especially those that curve in or narrow at the bottom) will work best for your legs. I find that the fuller the skirt, the more stick-like my legs look. As mentioned, be sure to pin up skirts to different lengths to find the perfect one for you. Mine is just at the lower part of my kneecap to cover knobby knees but still show where my calf gets bigger just under this length hem.

12 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Taylor, it was a challenge, but I was glad to find one illustration. I agree with Angie's comment on that thread - you are a style role model for sure, for all of us - not only limited to those with slender calves/ankles!

12 years ago

Anonymous

I have bracelet ankles too. I've never felt the need to cover them up, but I do avoid clogs, platforms, and clunky wedges. I have a hard time even keeping a really heavy- heeled shoe on. Dainty calves/ankles require a daintier shoe to be in proportion.

I keep my hemlines around the knee, and this summer have been wearing skirts and dresses exclusively; I've decided I like the way my legs look better in skirts than shorts.

I'm picturing Audrey Hepburn in a tea-length full skirt with ballet flats--and she had very slender limbs.

12 years ago

andi

Active Member

Angel, I feel exactly like you do. I've bought 2 knee length skirts and will be wearing them this summer. I'm so nervous about it, but I will wear those skirts!......lol! My legs are very similar to Angelina Jolie, Tyra Banks, Michelle Williams. I've had issues with my legs since I was 15........I'm 35 now. I'm tired of wearing pants and very long skirts all the time. Enough is enough! I don't do high heels at all cos I look scary, so pumps will work much better with my skirts.

11 years ago

Christy

Member

I have thin legs too. But I really don't care sometimes. Just feel confident and dress catchy to distract one from looking at my legs

3 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I think Kukaburra gave you great advice. I have nothing to offer, but if it makes you feel any better, a fitness guy I follow, Nick Nilsson, complains from time to time about being a “hard gainer” and having a tough time putting muscle on his calves. So it’s not only you, and not just the fashion world that worries about this! Idk if his is the kind of advice you’re looking for, but I’m sure he’s got some ideas on his site, fitstep.com

3 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I also have had to deal my skinny legs and ankles. I have found that pencil and tube skirts and sheath dresses work best. The worst are anything full. The contrast with thin legs is too much. I have never worn a very high heel and a wedge seems to look best. A shoe that helps define your calf is good, Now I only wear flats.

3 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

This thread is 9 yo.

3 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Good eye, RunCarla.

3 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

If it's still a current issue, why not talk about it? Starting a new thread just gets tons of snippets scattered all over.

3 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Because the original poster may not be around or even worried about that problem any more. This poster from 9 years ago never posted anything else, I just checked. So better for new members to start a fresh post for the current forum is my personal opinion.

3 years ago

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