Ways to Make Your Legs Look Longer

Long, luxurious legs are one of the standards of beauty in the West. Just because a woman isn't born with long legs though, that doesn't mean she can't make it look like nature gave them to her. All it takes is a careful inventory of your body, and understanding what tools you have to work with.

Don't be Afraid to Accessorize

If your legs aren't quite as long as you'd like them to be, you can create the illusion that they're longer than they are. All it takes is some clever accessorizing, and creating contrast to help trick observers' eyes. For those situations where you're not afraid to be intimate, shaping lingerie is one solution. Lace bikini panties, with their high-cut lines, make your legs look longer because they blend the legs and the hips into a single package. Combining them with a pair of high heels can also work wonders, since heels will elevate your posture and elongate your legs.

In addition to these suggestions though, stockings, hose, and even socks can all add impressions of length to your legs. It's a simple matter of perspective, and tricking the eye into seeing what you want it to see. Ankle socks, especially when worn with patent leather shoes, can make the revealed leg seem longer by comparison to what's covered. Stockings on the other hand can draw the eye and create the illusion of additional length.

Body Sculpting

While it's good to have a few fashionable tricks up your sleeve, there's no substitute for old-fashioned body shaping. While the gym is far from most people's favorite places to be, it's a necessity in order to make your body more how you want it to be. It's important to focus on exercises that will trim fat and sculpt leg muscles. Aerobic exercise is a good start, but for it to be truly effective it has to be participated in for at least 45 minutes to an hour.

So whether it's time on the treadmill, riding a stationary bike, or going through a Zumba class, you have to make sure you get the burn and keep it going. Alternate days with weight training, and make sure you do exercises that focus on the calves and thighs in order to strengthen them while burning fat away. The result will be shapely legs which are much easier to dress up, even though they're great on their own.