If you’ve ever watched a Victoria’s Secret show, you’ve probably felt that weird mix of awe and slight intimidation watching the Angels strut. Candice Swanepoel is usually the one leading the pack. She’s got this presence that makes her look like she's ten feet tall, honestly. But when you get down to the actual numbers, the height of Candice Swanepoel is one of those things that people argue about on fashion forums way more than you’d expect.
Is she actually as tall as she looks on the runway? Or is it all just clever camera angles and five-inch stilettos?
The Official Numbers vs. Reality
Most model agencies, including giants like The Lions and Munich Models, list her at 5'10" (178 cm).
That’s basically the gold standard for a high-fashion supermodel. If you're 5'9", you're okay. If you're 5'11", you're great. But 5'10" is that "sweet spot" where you can fit into sample sizes without the trousers looking like high-waters, but you still tower over everyone at a cocktail party.
Interestingly, some older profiles and certain European agencies, like Modelwerk, have occasionally listed her at 177 cm, which is just a hair under 5'10". It’s a tiny difference—literally about half an inch—but in the modeling world, those millimeters matter. It’s the difference between being a "commercial" girl and a "runway" girl.
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Kinda crazy how much pressure is on that one specific measurement.
Why she looks taller than 5'10"
Ever notice how some people just look tall? Candice has what stylists call "long lines."
Her proportions are wild. She has a relatively short torso and incredibly long legs, which creates an optical illusion. When she’s walking next to someone who is actually the same height, she often looks like she has an extra two inches on them just because of where her waist sits.
Then you’ve got the hair and the posture. Supermodels are trained to pull their spine up like there’s a string attached to the top of their head. You do that, plus add a massive pair of wings and some heels, and suddenly the height of Candice Swanepoel feels more like 6'3".
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Comparing Candice to the Other Angels
To really get a sense of how tall she is, you have to look at her in a lineup. The Victoria’s Secret era was perfect for this because they always did those group shots at the end of the show.
- Behati Prinsloo: Often listed at 5'11". When Behati and Candice stand together, Behati usually has a clear, albeit small, height advantage.
- Adriana Lima: Usually clocked at 5'10". These two are almost identical in height, which made them the perfect "twin" duo for many campaigns.
- Lais Ribeiro: She’s one of the few who genuinely towers over Candice at 6'0".
It’s funny because, in the "real world," being 5'10" makes you a giant. In the world of Victoria’s Secret, it’s actually just... average.
Does height actually matter anymore?
Honestly, the industry is changing a bit. We’re seeing more models who are 5'8" or even 5'7" getting big contracts. But for the "classic" supermodel look that Candice represents? That 5'10" frame is still the blueprint.
It’s about the "clothes hanger" effect. Designers want a certain length of limb so the fabric moves a specific way when she walks. If she were 5'5", the Versace gown she’s wearing would just bunch up on the floor.
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Beyond the Measuring Tape
We talk about the height of Candice Swanepoel because it’s a physical stat we can quantify. But if you ask anyone who has worked with her, they don’t talk about her height. They talk about her work ethic.
She was discovered in a flea market in Durban, South Africa, when she was 15. Since then, she’s built an empire. She isn't just a tall woman; she’s a business owner. Her brand, Tropic of C, is actually quite successful because she knows exactly how swimwear should fit a body—partly because she’s spent two decades having every inch of hers measured for the world’s biggest brands.
How to use this info
If you're looking at Candice as "body goals" or trying to figure out your own styling, here is the takeaway. It’s not about the number on the tape measure; it's about the proportions.
- High-waisted everything: If you want to mimic that "supermodel height," wear pants or skirts that sit at your natural waist. It tricks the eye into thinking your legs start higher up.
- Monochrome outfits: Candice does this a lot. Wearing one color from head to toe prevents the "visual break" that makes you look shorter.
- Posture is 90% of the battle: You can gain an "inch" of perceived height just by rolling your shoulders back and keeping your chin up.
At the end of the day, Candice Swanepoel is 5'10". She's tall, sure. But the reason she’s a legend isn't because she hit a certain mark on a wall—it's because of how she carries that height. Whether she’s in flip-flops in Brazil or heels in Paris, she takes up space. That’s the real supermodel secret.
To get the most out of your own wardrobe regardless of your height, start by identifying your inseam measurement and comparing it to your total height to understand your body's natural proportions. This allows you to choose cuts—like cropped jackets or floor-skimming flares—that emphasize your length rather than fighting against it.