Why is posing pigeon-toed suddenly in vogue? How A-listers turn their knees in to look younger and thinner in child-like stance taking over the red carpet

The trend was kick-started by Gwyneth Paltrow in 2010, and has since been adopted by a whole host of women - from Hollywood actress Katie Holmes to high-powered human rights barrister Amal Clooney. 


They have all recently been pictured with their hands hanging limply, knees knocked and toes turned awkwardly inwards; in short, the sort of stance you'd expect a particularly shy child to adopt. Yet, while having pigeon toes has traditionally been something to be avoided - indeed, generations of women have scolded their children for turning their feet inwards and there are special shoes to correct the stance - now it seems to be de rigueur on the red carpet. The reason for this is as depressing as it is fascinating: these A-list women have worked out that a pigeon-toed pose is a quick route to looking thinner, younger, sexier and even more approachable. Pictured are, from left to right, Katie Holmes, Amal Clooney, Cat Deeley, Isla Fisher, Gwyneth Paltrow and Claudia Winkleman.