Do you want to growth tall the natural way? Don’t be fooled by scams that claim that doing certain exercises can stretch your body and make you taller. Your bones are not taffy, after all, and such claims are preposterous. However, by altering your diet and how you dress, you can not only make yourself look taller, but prevent the height changes that often occur with old age.

Many don’t realize that their wardrobe can effect how their height is perceived. For example, wearing khakis with a dark purple shirt may sound stylish, but it actually makes you look shorter, as the contrasting colors bring attention to your middle. Instead, wearing black pants and a black turtleneck will create a taller appearance. Similarly, pinstriped pants or stockings can make your legs look considerably longer.

Your shoes are also important in helping you grow tall. It’s obvious that wearing shoes with heels or insoles will make you look taller, but did you know that by wearing strappy sandals, you can actually make yourself look shorter? By wearing bulkier shoes, such as boots, clogs, or tennis shoes, you make your feet look bigger, which, strangely enough, enhances your height.

Your posture and diet also have drastic effects on not only whether or not you grow tall, but your health as well. By maintaining proper posture—spine straight, shoulders back, chin held high, you not only look taller, but you are preventing many of the aches and pains that occur with poor posture as well.

Keeping a diet that’s rich in protein, calcium, amino acids, and healthy calories can keep your bones and body strong. Calcium in particular is an important nutrient in preventing many bone deteriorating diseases. Keeping your bones stronger in old age can keep them from shortening as your body gradually changes.

Exercise can also be useful in helping you growth tall. While you are going through puberty, steady exercise can make your bones healthy and strong while speeding and enhancing your growth spurts at the same time. When you are older, slimming down and becoming muscular is a useful tool in looking taller.