Caz, aka Vixen, has been freelance creative writing for several years. She has a lot of experience in different fields including high street fashion, tattooing art, and even the gothic and historical costumes. Caz has a Diploma in Fashion and Textiles and also a Bachelors Degree in Historical Costume and Corsetry. Her passion lies with gothic design, corsetry and any other styles considered to be taboo or unusual.
London-based fashion editor and lifestyle writer with over a decade covering women\'s style, trends, and editorial content for Outfit Trends.
UpdatedApr 14, 2026
Our editorial process ensures that the information we provide is well-researched and reliable. Learn about our commitment to quality in our editorial policy.
Most women are wearing lace-up heels wrong — and it’s making their legs look shorter than they actually are. Once you understand the rules, they become one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe.
Do this
Tie at the narrowest part of your ankle — this creates the most flattering line and prevents the ribbons from cutting your leg visually.
Choose midi or maxi lengths — longer hemlines balance the visual weight of lace-up details.
Avoid this
Cropped pants and ankle ties — this combination chops your leg line at the worst possible place.
Competing textures — if your shoes have intricate lacing, skip the embellished dress that fights for attention.
Styling Tips
Chunky knits need delicate balance
The oversized sweater creates volume on top, so the lace-up heels add detail at the bottom without the outfit feeling top-heavy. This three-texture approach creates outfits that photograph beautifully.
Textural contrast prevents costume territory
The crisp white blouse and structured blazer-style jacket ground the romantic lace-up shoes, preventing the outfit from feeling too precious. This approach works when you want to wear statement shoes to more conservative settings.
Midi skirts are lace-up heels’ best friend
The midi skirt length creates the perfect canvas for ankle-wrapping shoes because it doesn’t interfere with the ribbon placement. When clients struggle with lace-up heels, switching to a midi length solves 90% of their proportion issues.
Key takeaways
Always tie ribbons at the ankle’s narrowest point — about two inches above your ankle bone
Midi skirts are the most flattering hemline with lace-up heels
A blazer or structured jacket grounds romantic lace-up shoes for more professional settings
Match nude shoes to your skin tone, not your outfit for maximum leg-lengthening effect
Caz, aka Vixen, has been freelance creative writing for several years. She has a lot of experience in different fields including high street fashion, tattooing art, and even the gothic and historical costumes. Caz has a Diploma in Fashion and Textiles and also a Bachelors Degree in Historical Costume and Corsetry. Her passion lies with gothic design, corsetry and any other styles considered to be taboo or unusual.
Olivia Davis is a London-based fashion editor and lifestyle writer with over a decade of experience in the industry. She has a sharp eye for emerging trends, everyday style, and occasion dressing for women of all ages. As Content Director & Senior Editor at Outfit Trends, Olivia oversees editorial quality and covers everything from wardrobe essentials to seasonal outfit guides.