This Is Exactly How to Wear Flats When You're Under 5'2"

last updated 8 June 2016

When you are on the shorter side, flats can be extremely intimidating. Personally, even though I am confident and comfortable with my 5'3" height, I will consistently choose to wear something with heels over a pair of flats because a few extra inches couldn't hurt me. However, over the years, I have learned that when you do choose to wear flats, there are ways to appear taller than you actually are.

Being aware of little details like colour, cut, strap placement and the shoe-to-hemline ratio makes all the difference on a petite girl, allowing you to look and walk taller. The hope is that by relaying these tips to you, you will be able to feel just as confident wearing a pair of flats as you do in a pair of heels.

Keep reading for our must-know tips on how to wear flats when you're petite…

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Wearing flats with long pants does nothing but drown a shorter frame. Cropped pants will create more space between your shoes and the bottom of your hem, making legs appear longer than they actually are.

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Shop our pick:

Everlane

The Modern Point

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As you already know, nude-coloured shoes create a seamless transition from leg to foot—so why not make the most of this optical illusion and opt for flats?

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Shop our pick:

Mango + Leather Slingback Shoes

Mango

Leather Slingback Shoes

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A miniskirt or mini dress is a great counterpart to flats for anyone, but especially shorter girls. To elongate your legs to the max, make sure your hemline is structured and A-line where possible, as it draws the eye down.

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Shop our pick:

Loeil

Two-Tone Slingback Low Heels

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Flats with a pointed toe, even in darker colors, also create a more streamlined silhouette for your legs.

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Shop our pick:

Zara

Golden Heel Leather Shoes

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Thick straps around your ankles cut off the line of your legs, making them appear much shorter. This doesn't mean you can't wear flats with straps, though; just make sure that when you do, they are dainty and flattering, as opposed to bulky.

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Shop our pick:

Stuart Weitzman

Gilligan Flats

Keep reading to shop more flats that will look great on shorter girls…

Acne Studios

Medea Flats

Aerin

Suede Espadrilles

J.Crew

Slingback Flats in Gingham

Topshop + Kandi Pointed Slingback Shoe

Topshop

Kandi Pointed Slingback Shoe

Boden

Florence Flat Point

Gucci

Jordan Jacquard Loafers

Are you a flat shoe love or hater? Let us know in the comments box below…

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Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.

She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.