How to Wear Ankle-Strap Sandals Without Looking Short

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Ankle-strap sandals are so big now that not having a pair in your closet is like breaking the rules. The thing with this type of shoe, however, is that if you wear it wrong, it can make your legs look short.

For the vertically challenged, it’s always best to pick nude or skin-tone sandals to avoid looking shorter, especially if your outfit has a tea-length hemline. But with all the sandals available on the market, it’s hard to stick to just one color, like nude. You’re bound to purchase several pairs in different shades and materials.

A stylish array of ankle-strap sandals in various shades and materials paired with flattering outfitsA stylish array of ankle-strap sandals in various shades and materials paired with flattering outfits

Always wear a short outfit to keep things flattering, even while wearing sandals in a different color.

This is most important when the shoes are extra strappy at the ankles. Pick an outfit that ends above your knees, like the thigh-grazing number Michelle Keegan wore this week.

Celebrity Inspiration: Michelle Keegan

Michelle Keegan looks chic in a short maroon dress paired with ankle-strap heels and a long black trench coat as she leaves ITV Studios in LondonMichelle Keegan looks chic in a short maroon dress paired with ankle-strap heels and a long black trench coat as she leaves ITV Studios in London (Credit: Rocky / WENN)

The British actress left ITV Studios in London early Thursday morning in a short maroon dress with ankle-strap heels. She topped the ensemble with a long black trench coat and a black Chanel purse.

Michelle Keegan beams as she leaves ITV Studios, looking effortlessly stylish in a short maroon dress and a long black trench coatMichelle Keegan beams as she leaves ITV Studios, looking effortlessly stylish in a short maroon dress and a long black trench coat on August 14, 2014 (Credit: Rocky / WENN)

In short, to look great in your ankle-strap heels, always keep things short. Since we’re all about shoes, let’s zoom in on Michelle’s lovely pair.

A closer look at Michelle's double ankle-strap sandalsA closer look at Michelle’s double ankle-strap sandals (Credit: Rocky / WENN)

Quite fancy. Agree? Snakeskin and metallic add-ons are featured. The double-ankle-strap silhouette is also extra exciting. A quick look-up on the pair gave us Topshop.

Michelle’s sandals are called “Rodeo,” a shoe style from the British high-street label that features 4-inch-tall block heels with metal plate details at the bottom and straps crafted from a mix of exotic skin-stamped leather and the same metallic embellishment.

Topshop "Rodeo" Double-Ankle-Strap Sandals in Gray SnakeTopshop “Rodeo” Double-Ankle-Strap Sandals in Gray Snake, $90

If you want a pair of ‘Rodeo’ sandals, grab them at Nordstrom for only $90. You can also get them in textured black and black suede:

Topshop 'Rodeo' Double-Ankle-Strap Sandals in Textured BlackTopshop ‘Rodeo’ Double-Ankle-Strap Sandals in Textured Black, $90

Topshop 'Rodeo' Double-Ankle-Strap Sandals in Black SuedeTopshop ‘Rodeo’ Double-Ankle-Strap Sandals in Black Suede, $90