Wondering what the perfect length is for your tops and bottoms? Your vertical proportions are essential to help determine what the appropriate length of clothing is for your body type. There are three main female vertical body proportions: short legs and a long body, a balanced body, and long legs and a short body. Once you know your vertical shape, you can begin to create the illusion of the perfect body by choosing clothing that works with your ideal proportions. In this post, we’ll help you determine your vertical body shape, and help you discover how to use clothing to balance your perceived shape, with an ideal shape.

To begin, you’ll need a measuring tape.

Step 1. Measure your full height

Step 2. Measure your height to your low hip line (circumference around your hips where your bottom is fullest)

Step 3. Determine where your hip line comes into relation to your height.

I have short legs and a long torso.

The Goal: If your hip-line height is less than half your height, then your main goals are to create the illusion of longer legs and a shorter torso.

Opt for accessories that draw the eyes upward toward the shoulders and face, short to medium-long tops, tucked in tops, layered tops, straight skirts, medium or light tops, knee-length pants and skirts, empire cut dresses, high waisted skirts and shorts, short jackets and elbow sleeve jackets, medium to high heels, ground-length pant hems,  and high waisted pants. 

Avoid long tops, dropped waistbands, tight and tapered bottoms, and cropped pants. 

I have a balanced body.

The Goal: If your upper body length is about the same as your lower body length, then your goal is to elongate your mid-torso.

Opt for accessories that draw the eye up towards the face and shoulders, medium-long tops, untucked tops, same-colored tops and bottoms, tops and dresses that flow through the waist, narrow or no waistbands, straight and flared skirts, straight or flared pants.

Avoid short and empire tops, wide belts, high waistbands. 

I have long legs and a short torso.

The Goal: If your legs are longer than your upper body, then your goal is to create visual balance with the illusion of a longer mid-torso and shorter legs. 

Opt for designs that draw the eyes downward, bottoms that are lighter than tops, medium-long to long tops, untucked tops, tops and dresses that flow through the waist, straight and flared skirts, wrap dresses, long cardigans, long jackets and blazers, low rise pants, straight and flared pants.

Avoid drawing the eye upward, pinstripes, short tops, empire lines, wide belts, high waistbands, tapered pants, and skirts. 

When determining which styles will most flatter your vertical body shape, it’s important to also take into consideration your face shape, weight, height, bone structure, age, and figure variations. If you want to learn more about the fundamentals of building a fool-proof wardrobe based on your body proportions and learn how to dress different body shapes, join BY FERIAL EMPOWER GROUP for access to discounts and exclusive image consultant training opportunities. >> CLICK HERE.