Having short and thick legs is not a bad thing. These style tips will have you loving the skin you are in.
When you have short and thick legs, it can sometimes be hard to put together outfits that don’t make you feel self-conscious or uncomfortable about your body.
I’m 5’2 and a size 16 and I’m pretty sure I was born with thick thighs that save lives! So, it has always been a struggle to strike the right balance when it comes to my petite plus-size frame.
Over the years, I’ve learned that every new fashion trend is not a friend to a petite plus shape. Does anyone remember the days of ultra-low-rise jeans and tight-fitting polo shirts? Talk about a short and curvy girl’s worst nightmare!
Style is about finding what enhances your body, while also still being comfortable and above all, should make you feel like the baddie that you are.
In this article I’m going to breakdown the best style tips for short and thick legs:
- Choose cropped cuts and open necklines
- Don’t go skin-tight on the bottom
- Use comfy heels to elongate your legs
- Sometimes shorter is better
- Column dressing is your friend
I’ll also answer a few common questions like how to find the right inseam for your petite legs, who usually has short and thick legs, how to make shorter legs look thinner, and a few things to avoid wearing when you have shorter curvy legs.
This article is dedicated to the best style tips for babes with short and thick legs.
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Style Tips for Short and Thick Legs
Choose the right Neckline and Waistline
Wear Cropped Cuts
When you are petite plus and have short thick legs, a shorter cropped cut for shirts, jackets, and dress waistlines will help to define your natural waist.
This will visually cinch your shape and create a more figure-flattering proportion overall. Taking the focus off of your legs and enhancing your complete frame.
Look for jackets that stop right at your natural waist or just below it. For shirts, you do not need to perpetually wear cropped tops, unless you want to! Instead, think about tucking in your shirt when it is longer than a few inches below your waist.
Related: 7 Great Necklines to Wear if You’re Short and Plus Size (like me)
For dresses, choose a fit and flare silhouette that naturally hugs your waist, or opt for babydoll and empire waistlines that draw the eye upward towards your bustline.
Opt for Deeper, Open Necklines
Speaking of giving your bust attention, when it comes to tops, the more open the neckline, the better!
When you are petite plus size, with shorter proportions, an open neckline can elongate the neck and help your top half feel less stuffy and stocky.
The easiest selection for a deeper neckline is the classic v-neck. It comes in a variety of depths, from modest to plunging, so it’ll suit a range of outfit needs.
Sweetheart necklines are another great option, whether you have a full or flatter chest. Don’t forget about off-the-shoulder and bateau necklines either!
Each of these open neckline options will leave you feeling like the baddest baddie in the room.
Shop Cropped Fit Top Styles
You might like: Clothing for Short Curvy Women, The MoraRae Story
Choose Loose-Fitting Clothes for your Bottom Half
Full Skirts
A full skirt draws more attention to your waist than your legs. When going after a full skirt, choose one that hits at your knee level or a few inches above it. Don’t go too short with this one or it may have the opposite effect.
Straight-Leg Pants instead of Super Skinnies
Straight or even slim-fit pants are a better option over super skin-tight skinny jeans. When your pants are skin tight, they will further exaggerate the thickness of your legs.
The only caveat here is if you’re talking about leggings, that’s a different story though. So, for pants, give your legs a little breathing room.
It’s also a good idea to steer clear of awkwardly cuffed straight-leg pants and those that are cropped too short. Keep reading for the best length for your short and thick legs.
Wide-Leg Pants
Similar to the tip above, wide-leg pants won’t over-exaggerate your legs. Instead, it creates a balanced silhouette by flaring out at the knee.
Bootcut and slightly flared pants are your best options. Don’t go for a bell bottom or ultra-wide leg as this can overwhelm your short frame, especially if the pant is too long.
Shop Loose-Fitting Styles
Find the right Inseam for Petites
Now, let’s talk about the length of your pant. The easiest rule to remember here is that capris are not your friend.
Capri’s hit petite women of all sizes in the wrong spot, right in the middle of their calves, or sometimes just below the knee.
This breaks up the leg disproportionally and ends up making you appear shorter. Instead, choose an inseam that will stop just below your ankles.
The best inseam for petite sizes is usually anywhere between 25 to 29 inches.
Related: Best Pant Styles for Petite Plus Size (I’m 5’2 and a Size 16)
Add comfortable heels to elongate your legs
Related: The Complete Guide to the Best Shoe and Boot Styles for Petite Plus Size
Heels can be your best friend if you choose the right size and style. Below are a few tips to help you find the best heels for short thick legs.
- Opt for a Nude or Skin tone matching color to create an illusion of a longer leg.
- Pointy toes are always a good idea because that point will make your short and thick legs appear leaner.
- Knee-high or over-the-knee boots (aka OTK boots) are something you can and should pull off! This style of heel draws the eye upward, and I’m sure you can guess what that means: an appearance of longer legs.
- Ankle booties work well when paired with the right bottoms. Think mini or midi dress and skirt silhouettes and perfect-length pants.
Shop Recommended Shoe Styles
Go for Shorter Bottoms
Let’s talk about the best length of dresses, skirts, and shorts. When it comes to dresses, choose lengths that will show off your legs, not try and conceal them.
Mini and midi hemlines in fit and flare and empire waist silhouettes will make for the best leggy look.
These lengths work well because they show off your legs and won’t hide them behind yards of fabric. When going for a mini length, choose an aline style versus a full skirt.
One bonus to having shorter legs is your ability to rock shorter shorts. Here’s how to do it in the most figure-flattering way:
- Make sure your shorts are not too tight and that they actually fit you. The same rules apply here to the skin-tight pants we discussed earlier.
- You can wear shorter shorts and they will make your legs appear longer but opt for a straight-leg fit. If they are too tight, they will squeeze your thighs and draw the wrong attention to your legs.
- Also, they need to be comfortable and made with quality material to avoid your thighs eating them for lunch! I can speak from experience, the length of your shorts and the material can determine how much chaffing will happen.
- Don’t go any shorter than three inches and choose a higher waist. This will give you legs for days while also cinching your natural waist.
Try Column Dressing
This last style tip is the easiest, column dressing. This is when you choose a full monochromatic or tonal color palette for your outfit.
Having one color flow from top to bottom is a clever and chic illusion to elongate the body. This can also work with a simple pattern or vertical stripe, as long as the colors are tonal.
This color does not have to be black or neutral either! Have fun with this and try out colors that make you feel good, like an all-red power suit or a vertical black and white striped fit.
Shop This Monochromatic White Look
Check out my post on What is Petite Plus Size for a full list of style advice that’ll have you loving every inch of your body.
Short and Thick Legs FAQ
Who has Short and Thick Legs?
Short and thick legs are most likely found on petite plus-size bodies but every body truly is unique and different.
You can technically not be petite if you are over 5’4 but your overall frame could be stocky, putting you in the short and thick legs category.
There are also plenty of people who are petite plus but they are more of a triangle shape, heavier up top with thinner legs.
So, the short answer is, there is no hard and fast rule to who has short and thick legs. But, if you are petite plus size, you most likely will fall into this category.
How can I make my Short Thick Legs look thinner?
You can make your short thick legs look thinner by following the steps laid out in this guide and using them to build a wardrobe of staple pieces that will help you embrace the skin you are in.
It’s also really important to note that it’s not about making your legs look thinner or even longer, and it’s never about hiding them! It’s about creating flattering proportions so that your lovely legs are highlighted in the best way.
In my opinion, having short and thick legs is a blessing! My thick thighs and muscular calves are the strongest part of my body.
Do you know how many oversized pieces of furniture I’ve pushed around my house with my short, thick legs? (A LOT, hehe)
In all seriousness, your legs are just as they should be. I’m dedicated to creating a space for petite plus women to find out how to style their beautifully short stems and learn how to use fashion to develop body acceptance and self-love.
So, make sure to subscribe to the MoraRae Newsletter so you never miss new style posts!
What Should you Not Wear with Short Legs?
Now that we’ve covered all of the fashion do’s, let’s talk about a few styles to avoid when you have short thick legs.
- Overly tight and clingy fabrics are not your friend. Let your legs breathe and your overall look will be more balanced.
- Ill-fitting clothes (too small, too long, too big) will bring attention to the areas of your body that you may still be working on embracing. Everyone looks better in clothes that actually fit, petite plus size or not.
- Lastly, anything that makes you feel like you are hiding your short and thick legs, or that makes you feel bad about who you are, should be avoided like the plague.
Ready to ditch the fashion rules and have fun with your personal style? You might like 7 Petite Plus Size Fashion Rules that were Made to Be Broken
Having short and thick legs doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Fashion should be fun and help you to feel better about yourself, not worse. Try out a few of these style tips to help you embrace your legs just as they are.
These are the best style tips for short and thick legs to help you to love and embrace your body, exactly as it is.
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