Your Secret Leg Lengthener: The T-Strap

Zac Posen via

The very best piece of style advice my mom gave me when I was younger still serves me well today  (and believe me, I was bestowed plenty of advice……some wisely taken, some not).  She said: ‘When in doubt about a shoe style, always go with the T-strap; it will make your legs look lengthy and beautiful”  I wholeheartedly agree!  The magic, of course, is the vertical line of the T.  The eye naturally follows the line of the leg downward and the thin piece of fabric or leather allows an easy visual transition down the foot, creating the illusion of additional leg length.  It really is that simple.  Now, I have a wide array of shoe styles within my closet, some of which blatantly violate this concept (booties, gladiators, and pumps with simple ankle straps, etc.) but if I am going for maximum leg length, I always grab the T-strap.  The shoe is definitely a friend to petite gals and those with a longer torso.

My T-strap of choice is a simple pump with a 3-4″ heel, but the style can also be found in sandals and other modified shapes.  Here are a few of my favorites this season:

At the very high end, this gorgeous Gucci Ophelie is receiving quite a bit of press this season:

Pour La Victoire Vicenta patent platform:

Striking Mark & James by Badgley Mischka color-blocked wedge:

A light colored shoe plus a T-strap gives the maximum leg lengthening effect (Jimmy Choo Pela):

Ultra thin patent T by Via Spiga:

Metallic Gold T Michael Kors Ruby:

Flat sandals with a T-strap also have a lengthening effect (Dolce Vita Banks):

Mama knows best, don’t you think?

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