Cover Photo Courtesy of Instagram.com/Johanneshuebl

It’s a tale as old as time; men have always wanted to look taller and more robust and women, on the other hand, have always wished they could lose 100 pounds in one sitting. While these are joyful thoughts to feed our minds with, neither the first nor the second are viable ones. Luckily, there’s a little something called “illusion of height” that’s been witnessing quite a surge in popularity what with its tried-and-tested tips.

But first, let’s talk about something that most people fail to acknowledge: each and every height and form should be praised in all its glory, and looking a certain way should not stop you from achieving your personal best. With that in mind, men tend to feel more drawn to easily-purchased clothing items. So if trousers might look like they need alterations, they’ll think twice about buying them. Another argument to factor in is that men too – like women – look up to idolized versions of celebrities, bloggers and influencers. In other words, they want to look just as fit, just as rugged, heck just as tall. The good news is, there are one too many ways to achieve this illusion of grandeur. And here’s how.

1. Before going into the notions of your existing wardrobe, keep in mind that body language matters. That said, the number one secret to looking taller is actually standing and sitting straight. It’s something we’ve heard from our mothers one too many times, but keeping your chest up and your shoulders back is key.
2. The shoes. Yes, it’s always about the shoes. Make sure you pick low-contrast shoes, i.e., shoes that don’t contrast too much with the color of your trousers. The one-hue effect will do your silhouette wonders.
3. Avoid baggy clothes. Because yes, baggy clothes equal slouchy figure. And you don’t want that. Keep it tight, but not too tight.
4. A good tailor can always draw your body in the best of ways. So when picking a suit, make sure you take it to your tailor to adjust it to your proper proportions.
5. V-necks can make you look taller than you already are, and so do long-sleeved shirts.
6. Visual length is key and so are vertically-striped shirts and therefore, pinstripe suits.

Article Written by Cindy Menassa