Let’s face it there are always one or two body parts that we’d love to change, fortunately Trinny and Susannah, Aunty Gok and even Mylene Klass are full of bright ideas and good advice to help us out – minimisers to reduce cleavage, push-ups to increase cleavage, low-waisted dresses to lengthen short torsos and high-waisted trousers to extend short legs…
But what can we do if we don’t really appreciate the size of our feet?
The answer is plenty! In this post we round up the best advice for making your large feet look really neat.
Tips for larger feet:
Heels make your feet look smaller, and we don’t mean stilettos – chunky or wedge heels are just the ticket, and much easier to wear!
For more casual flat styles choose ones that show some sole around the upper as this has the effect of shortening the shoe.
Rounded or squared off toes are ideal for disguising foot length, so avoid those winkle-pickers! Ballet flats are a rounded toe classic; browse our French Sole and Pretty Ballerinas for ideas.
Remember larger scale ladies can afford larger scale accessories and that includes on shoes – buckles, bows and horizontal features will help broaden the foot and take the eye away, creating more balanced proportions. But remember to keep it tasteful! Our Birkenstock Papillio Tabora in white is a great style for a double horizontal hit!
Choose darker shades and tones but don’t just stick to black, try rich deep reds, purples and subtle greys too. We recommend Pretty ballerinas in black & grey which make the most of this classy colour palette.
Avoid strappy sandals that expose large portions of your foot. Instead opt for more closed in sandals with chunkier horizontal straps. The Birkenstock Madrid is perfect as it creates a mid line across the foot that compliments longer feet.
And if you are still struggling for ideas take a lead from the following larger-footed style icons:
Jackie Kennedy
Uma Thurman
Kate Winslet
Michelle Obama
Nicole Kidman
Tips for smaller feet
Many people will tell you that smaller feet are a blessing but it can be very difficult to find styles that look classy and grown up in smaller sizes. Here’s our advice:
Avoid extra high heels. Whilst you may gain height, the proportions of extra high heels (including platforms) foreshorten the foot and will only make petite feet look smaller. Opt instead for a more classic heel height and a slightly heavier shape such as a cone heel or wedge.
Create a mid line running from toe to ankle. This will draw the eye along the foot creating an illusion of length. The Birkenstock Gizeh is a perfect example of how to create a mid line and make the most of exposed toes.
Choose close fitting slim styles to create length and finish off with a slight point at the toes. French sole have some fantastic styles for summer 2010, which incorporate a slight point and slim lines.
Small-scale embellishments and accessories suit small-scale feet. For example anything with large buckles is likely to swamp your foot and make it look over dressed. Subtle buckles from Birkenstock and stylish bows from Pretty Ballerinas are much more flattering.
Enjoy colour. Whilst larger feet are better in subtle colours and darker tones, with smaller feet you can really play around. Red, green and reflective silver tones are perfect for petite feet, and patterns such as leopard are currently really on trend so make the most of it!
Avoid pretty pinks and girlish features unless you are consciously working the Barbie look – sophisticated grown-up touches are the way forward. Think studs instead of sequins, snakeskin instead of feathers!
And if you still need inspiration, take a lead from these celebrities with petite-feet:
Eva Longoria
Kylie Minogue
Christina Aguilera
Jennifer Aniston
Mary Kate Olsen