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The secret of the A-list stars' strappy gold sandals: They swear by them because they make their legs look five inches LONGER

By Dinah Van Tulleken For The Daily Mail

Published: 19:17 EST, 1 September 2016 | Updated: 01:21 EST, 2 September 2016

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When actress Gemma Arterton appeared at the Venice Film Festival this week, all eyes were on the 30-year-old's seemingly endless legs.

Yet those well-turned ankles, shapely calves and slender thighs weren't entirely down to good genes and hours working out in the gym.

The former Bond girl had also got herself a secret boost — in the shape of her vertiginous strappy gold sandals.

And Gemma isn't the only celebrity who swears by these magic metallic stilettos.

When actress Gemma Arterton appeared at the Venice Film Festival this week, all eyes were on the 30-year-old's seemingly endless legs. Her trick to elongate her pins was to wear gold strappy sandals - a tip used by other A-listers including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (right)

Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, singer Katherine Jenkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones have all stepped out in a pair of vertiginous strappy gold sandals that add inches to their height. Pictured: Penelope Cruz (left) and Margot Robbie have also sported metallic shoes

Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, singer Katherine Jenkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones have stepped out in similar shoes — and to the same stunning effect.

So what is it about these stilettos that makes them so popular on the red carpet?

The secret lies in the two thin straps — one low on the ankle, one across the toes. They're so thin that, from a distance, they are almost invisible, creating the illusion of bare feet — and making celebrity legs look five inches longer.

The gold colour is far more glamorous than a nude or beige, but still blends with most skin tones. As a result, the straps don't interrupt the line of the legs, making them look much longer and leaner.

Petite or fuller-figured women are often told to avoid ankle straps, as they can cut off the line of the leg and make the calves look heavier.

Catherine Zeta-Jones (left) and Lily James have also stepped out in similar shoes — and to the same stunning effect. The secret lies in the two thin straps — one low on the ankle, one across the toes which creates the illusion of bare feet — and makes legs look five inches longer

If you fall into one of those categories, go for wafer-thin straps in a similar colour to your skin tone.

Look for straps that sit slightly below the ankle and leave as much of your foot exposed as possible.

No, they're not the most supportive footwear, but this only serves to encourage the wearer to focus on their posture, sucking in their stomach and pushing out their breasts and bottom to avoid toppling.

Gemma's sandals are from Prada and cost £560, but there are lots of copies on the High Street, starting from as little as £25 at Very.co.uk — it's a small price to pay for longer, thinner legs.