9 Ways to Style Your Outfits if You have Heavy Calves (2024)

FAQs

9 Ways to Style Your Outfits if You have Heavy Calves? ›

Go for straight leg, bootcut or wide legged jeans or pants to hide the issue of bigger calves. You can also go for pant-suits which is a great look to sport this season. Stay away from cropped pants and capris as they draw the eye to the widest part of your calves and ankles and make your legs look stubby.

Go for straight leg, bootcut or wide legged jeans or pants to hide the issue of bigger calves. You can also go for pant-suits which is a great look to sport this season. Stay away from cropped pants and capris as they draw the eye to the widest part of your calves and ankles and make your legs look stubby.

The general rule is the wide the hemline, the slimmer your legs look. The key is to avoid pencil and clingy skirts that stop either before or at mid-calf. Instead, choose a hemline that finishes below the knee or an ankle-length. A-line skirts are perfect!

A low-impact way to lose calf fat is by walking often. As you get older, going for walks is a worthwhile way to get moving without putting too much pressure on your body. A daily walk also keeps your calf muscles from becoming large and bulky.

Mesomorph: Muscular, well-built and has a high metabolism with responsive muscle cells. If you are a mesomorph or endomorph, chances are you do build calves very easily and some exercises will fuel that growth.

Get high heels – The most flattering shoes have a heel or wedge that elongate the foot and gives your leg a slimmer look. Look for substantial heels — as opposed to spike or stilettos. Go chunky – Chunky-heeled shoes are especially flattering because they balance out heavy cankles.

Obesity: One of the most common causes of large calves is obesity. When you are carrying excess weight, it can cause the muscles and tissues in your lower legs to become stretched out, leading to larger-than-normal calves. Big calves can also result from weight gain that occurs during pregnancy.

A sturdy wedge or platform shoe works well. Avoid skinny stilettos, spike, or tiny kitten heels, which create too much contrast and exaggerate large calves. If there's no way you can wear heels ( even low ones), then a d'Orsay flat or peep-toe flat is a good option.

You can't lose weight in just one area of your body, so if your large calf size is due to fat mass, you'll need to do exercises that work your entire body, and cut back on calories so you can lose weight overall. Keep in mind that it will probably take a bit longer than a week to notice results.

What length dress is best for thick legs? ›

A-Line dresses

A-line silhouette dresses are going to be your BFF (not to be dramatic or anything). The reason a-line is so great for short and thick legs is that it's the perfect balance between slim fit and too loose. Plus, a-line makes your legs appear slimmer because of the silhouette shape.

Try a full skirt

The general rule that we stick to, is the wider the hemline, the slimmer your legs look. So steer clear of pencil skirts and instead go for fifties style A-line skirts. They work like magic to make your calves and ankles seem narrower by contrast.

Let us be the first to tell you: there's no rule that ankle booties are off limits for curvy calves. With so many bootie styles this season, there's a pair for every shape! With just a few simple style tricks, you can don your favorite booties with confidence—and make your legs look longer at the same time.

If you are carrying extra weight and you don't want to appear heavier than you are hemlines on or slightly below the knee are your most slimming option. Apart from being an elegant length, it helps to elongate your body thus helping you appear slimmer.

As long as you're following a healthy, balanced diet and you're exercising regularly, you'll notice your calves — like the rest of your muscles — getting slimmer and stronger over time.

Exercise – Repetitive movement through exercise will put strain on your calf muscles causing them to be stronger and bigger. Walking long distances while wearing high heels will also contribute. Fatty tissue – Fatty deposits are another possible reason for thicker calves.

When you lose weight, you will lose both fat and muscle, so that automatically means your calves may look a lot thinner, Rachael said.

Bigger calves are usually stronger. They can help reduce the risk of injuries and falls, especially as you age.

You won't get big legs if you walk

And yet, many people believe that this exercise can make your leg muscles bigger. But unlike the general perception, larger legs are caused due to stored fat rather than muscle.

What are the disadvantages of big calves? ›

The larger the calf complex, the more the lower leg weighs. Having more weight below the knee and towards the ankle can actually hinder running speed, according to Charlie Francis. It increases the lower leg lever, and slows leg turnover. We want less weight towards the distal end of the leg and more on the proximal.

Strong calf muscles are also essential for generating power during vertical jumping, an advantage to many sports, particularly basketball, volleyball and netball.

Fat on the calves can develop due to genetics, weight gain, ageing or sometimes a condition of abnormal fat cells called Lipoedema. As the body gets older it gets more difficult for it to burn fat as the metabolism slows down. Whatever the reason for stubborn fat on the calves, there are treatment options available.

Having large calves is due to an abundance of muscle or fat tissue in the area – either as a result of lifestyle choices or genetics. In certain cases, swelling from fluid retention may also be a factor.

By making a new seam, you can tighten the leg of the pant. Simply pinch the fabric together at the inside of your leg to make it fit snugly around your leg. Then, use a safety pin or straight pin to hold the fabric in place.

Go For A Dark Wash

If you wish to hide your big thighs then you must pick a dark wash jean and ditch the lighter ones in your closet. Dark wash jeans doesn't reflect much light and help hide your thighs. It kinda camouflages your thigh area and makes you look slimmer.

Opt for knee-length or ankle-length skirts and dresses. Hems that hit directly at your mid-shin, cut off a quarter of the visual length of your body, making your legs appear much shorter.

If you have very thick calves though I would recommend you wear skinny jeans so the pants skim over your calves and will make them look slimmer. Make sure your leggings don't end at the widest point of your legs. Wide legged pants are also an option or you could wear leggings with nice knee-high boots.

What colors make your legs look thinner? ›

Black never fails to make you look slim and elegant. Darker shades of colors like blue, purple and brown can also help to hide flaws and create a slimming illusion. On the other hand, lighter colors, like white and khaki, can add pounds and give the illusion of a larger frame.

Increase resistance training

Participating in total-body, muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week may help you burn calories, reduce fat mass , and strengthen your thighs. Include lower-body exercises such as lunges, wall sits, inner/outer thigh lifts, and step-ups with just your body weight.

Best Lace-Up

“Lace-up boots are perfect for wide calves because they are easily adjustable,” says Thorpe. “They are also super versatile and can be worn with casual and chic looks.” As far as how they feel, there are a few ways the brand has ensured a comfy fit.

The square toe shoe trend is back in fashion for 2023.

With Skinny Jeans

roll up and leave 1/2″ of ankle between the boot and your pant. You can fold over twice to have a narrow cuff or one large fold. Be aware, the wider the cuff, the shorter your legs will look. If you cuff your jeans, wear a shorter top to help elongate the look of your legs.

The Basics

No matter your body type, the general idea is to have your dress end at a relatively small part of your leg. For example, at or just below the knee tends to be the most universally flattering skirt length, whereas anything hitting the widest part of your calves can create the illusion of a shorter leg.

The most flattering (and always fashionable) patterns are: Short, A-line skirts are incredibly helpful to make your legs look slimmer. Pair them with knee-high boots, or with lace-up (as in the picture below), so as to conceal any possible imperfection in your lower leg.

Exercise – Repetitive movement through exercise will put strain on your calf muscles causing them to be stronger and bigger. Walking long distances while wearing high heels will also contribute. Fatty tissue – Fatty deposits are another possible reason for thicker calves.

Summary: Have you ever noticed that people have thinner arms and legs as they get older? As we age it becomes harder to keep our muscles healthy. They get smaller, which decreases strength and increases the likelihood of falls and fractures.

Are calves hard to slim? ›

If your calf size is due to fat, then your response on how to lose calf fat is the same as losing weight overall. Losing weight will definitely help slim big calves. But keep in mind that legs are the hardest place to lose fat from and tend to be the last place for women, so it will take more time to see the results.

Let us be the first to tell you: there's no rule that ankle booties are off limits for curvy calves. With so many bootie styles this season, there's a pair for every shape! With just a few simple style tricks, you can don your favorite booties with confidence—and make your legs look longer at the same time.

Myth #1: High Heels Will Make Your Calves Bigger

High heels do have the ability to stretch your legs and make your calves more prominent, along with your thighs, but they aren't going to increase the size of your calves just by wearing them.

You won't get big legs if you walk

And yet, many people believe that this exercise can make your leg muscles bigger. But unlike the general perception, larger legs are caused due to stored fat rather than muscle.