You’ve seen the likes of Nicole Richie and Victoria Beckham looking incredibly (and surprisingly) tall and regal in long formal dresses. How you wish you can even rock a maxi skirt without drowning in all that fabric. Are petite women cursed to wear short cocktail dresses to soirees and red carpet events for life? Not if you know how to pick the right long gown for you. Here are a few tips:

1. Go for shades.

What better way to stretch out your look than by selecting long formal outfits in shades. Strong and large printing usually engulf your structure, thus providing you the overall look of sinking in your own outfit. Strong shades, on the other hand, usually give you a ongoing line from the top to the end, thus making you appear higher and thinner (if you’re also seeking for a more thinner look). Dark is your best option, but you can always play around with different and more bold shades.

2. Easy on the accessories.

Do a J.lo and keep accessories to a minimum. Over-accessorizing, or going for oversized accessories (even if they’re the trend du jour) can overwhelm your frame.

3. Know when too long is TOO LONG.

Contrary to popular belief, long dresses can actually make you look Victoria Secret model “leggy”, depending of course on the length and the fabric (more on that later) of the dress you’re wearing. Long dresses that fall right on your ankle will cut up your look and thus make your legs look shorter. But don’t go for longer skirts too! Longer skirts are not just “wardrobe malfunctions waiting to happen” but will also overpower your otherwise small frame. As a golden rule, when choosing a long dress (whether it’s a formal dress or a casual outdoor wedding maxi dress), go for formal dresses online australia with lengths that graze about half an inch off the ground.

4. Proportions, proportions, proportions.

Your goal is to give your body an illusion of height, and the best way you can achieve that is to choose long formal dresses that have a fitted bodice, or a cinched waist. By opting for dresses with fitted tops, you are visually lengthening your gams.

5. Go with the flow(y).

When choosing long and formal gowns, steer clear of stiff fabrics like taffeta, which will give you a boxy look that widens instead of lengthens your frame. Instead, opt for long dresses with softer materials that will skim your body and accentuate the right curves. Think Grecian goddess.

6. Neckline matters.

Showing a little cleavage can actually help lengthen your neck to give you a taller appearance. But if you want something a little more modest, opt for sweetheart necklines or V-necks. While they bare your décolletage, they give you enough coverage to still leave a lot to the imagination.

7. Steer clear of sleeves.

The 70’s long sleeved maxi dresses and mumus might work for taller women. But for shorter women? It will only drown their frame. Avoid the Mary Kate Olsen look.

NOTE: If you must wear sleeves, opt for form-fitting ones instead of the puffy or the batwing variety.

8. Ditch the poofy skirts.

Ball gowns may have been a good look when you were 15 and on your way to the prom. But if you’re in your mid 20’s or 30’s (40’s even), a long, poofy skirt may not work well for you (Unless of course you’re dressing up as a Disney princess or the 90’s cupcake doll). Stick to the classics. Go for long formal dresses with A-line skirts.