Tall stories: Five Northern Ireland ladies tell us about the high life

Some of the world's most beautiful women stand around six feet tall. Think of a supermodel and the chances are she is over six feet tall - and that's before she has pulled on a pair of teetering heels and strode down the runway.

Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum and Erin O'Connor are all at least 5ft 10ins, while iconic beauties such as the late Diana, Princess of Wales, was also about an inch off the six foot mark,- once she had slipped into a pair of courts and added a hat Prince Charles could look like a rather small man indeed.

To put it all into some sort of lofty perspective, the height of the average woman in the UK is a diminutive 5ft 3ins. No wonder, then, that so many of us can only look up to these fashion icons with envy.

After all, we imagine, clothes would look so much better if our legs were just a couple of inches longer. How easy it would be to stand out from the crowd - quite literally.

Then again, maybe our longing to be taller amounts to the height of nonsense. In a world where the average rules, many taller ladies complain that finding clothes to suit their measurements isn't easy - hence the rise of chains such as Long Tall Sally.

And then, of course, there is the delicate area of relationships.

Some might reckon it would take a big man indeed to be happy to step out with a woman who was, er, head and shoulders above him. Just look at how quickly Caroline Wozniacki stuck the stiletto in when Rory McIlroy ended his relationship with her, with the low blow that being single meant it would be nice to be able to wear heels again.

So, what is it really like to be a tall woman? We talk to five ladies about the long and short of it.

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Tall student bullied over her height reveals how she beat haters after years of hunching to appear more ladylike

Tamara Alireza, 34, used to be terrified of wearing high heels, but now she embraces her lofty physique

By Anthony Harvison
16:44, 31 AUG 2018
UPDATED 16:46, 31 AUG 2018

As a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Tamara Alireza stood head and shoulders above her classmates. At 6ft 1ins, she towered over the teachers, too. But while most teenagers would love to add a few inches to their frame, Tamara found herself the target of school bullies who tormented her for being tall. Despite her sporty stature, she was made to feel small and picked on for being 'different'. Tamara spent her informative years struggling to fit in and doing everything possible to look shorter and more "lady-like". She avoided being photographed and even walked hunched-over to conceal her true height. High heels were a definite no-no. Now aged 34, Tamara stands proud at 6ft 2ins – or a leggy 6ft 7ins in her favourite heels.

Not only has she embraced her enviable physique but has used it to her advantage as an accomplished children's author and anti-bullying campaigner. She looks down her nose at bullies and uses her own experiences to help youngsters nationwide. "They say the worst thing about being different is that you become a moving target for bullies. Unfortunately for me, I was a moving target they literally couldn't miss," Tamara said. "But it wasn't just the bullies who were making my life difficult. Society, generally, made me feel unwelcome. The bullies were a reflection of the times. "Fast-forward a few years and I came to love my body and myself. I realised that everyone is different, and that diversity needs to be cherished, nurtured and celebrated – not ostracised." She added: "We are all different and we are all equal."

Last year, shocking figures published by the Anti-Bullying Alliance revealed that more than half of children aged between eight and 16 worried about being 'different'. Of these, 40 per cent admitted they would "hide" or "change aspects of themselves" to avoid being bullied. Worryingly, more than a third (36 per cent) of those questioned thought that teachers did not do enough to educate pupils about what to do if they became victims. Tamara is among those who experienced bullying first-hand. As a child, she was tall for her age. But a growth spurt in her early teens meant she would tower over her peers – and her family - into adulthood. It left her self-conscious and at the mercy of cruel classmates, whose jibes compounded her lack of confidence. "When my friends all started wearing high-heels and make-up, I wore the flattest-soled shoes I could find so that I would fit in," she said.

Her height also made everyday tasks challenging. She found buying clothes – and especially dresses – "almost impossible". She was also forced to wear men's shoes because women's sizes rarely accommodated her size 10.5 feet. And the prospect of being photographed with pals was "particularly unappealing". Instead, she would sit in the front or stoop over. Dating was, she says, "not at all easy". "I felt uncomfortable in my own skin, it's that simple," she added. But by her mid-20s, Tamara finally came to terms with her height. Today, Tamara has no problems with being one of the tallest students at Royal Imperial College, London, where she has been studying for a PhD in neuroscience specialising in Parkinson's disease. She has used her own experiences to help others – most notably her nephew who was relentlessly bullied at school.

Her latest book, Steiny's Rhapsody , tells the inspirational story of a grand piano in a music store who suffers at the hands of the other instruments.

Steiny, like Tamara, eventually learns to love himself.

Tamara added: "Society is changing and, in time, so will people's attitudes to bullying. In the meantime, we all need to love the skin we're in – and refuse to cower down to the bullies."

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By Katie Sewell,Dec. 7, 2016, Posted in Lifestyle

We all want the fairy tale love story. Unfortunately, being a tall woman can sometimes seem like a burden when chasing true love.I’m 6’3” – something I get informed of almost every day by people I barely know. It’s as if they think I’m not already aware of the fact that I am taller than the average UK man. To make me more of a genetic freak I also have bright blonde hair, an attribute which, when combined with my height, has earned me the nickname ‘Flaming Beacon’ when I go out clubbing with squad.

For a very long time, I hated my height. As a teenager, I mastered the art of the ‘forward leg bend’, a move that the tall folk reading this will also be well acquainted with. In every group photo where I look normal in height, rest assured, the forward leg bend is in operation and my thigh muscles are in agony.

The main concern of my youth, as I’m sure was the same for many other angsty teenage girls, was whether or not somebody could possibly love me. I was doomed to a life of cats and one bedroom flats, I was sure of it.

Boys were a good head and shoulders beneath me until around the end of secondary school; even at sixth form a boy being taller than me was a novelty. My poor mother had to deal with many a teary breakdown at my self-deemed unworthiness of love.

My dad, an enormous man of 6’10”, didn’t see what the problem was. He was convinced, as most dads are, that his daughter was the most beautiful thing in the world. “Fluffy, the men will be lining around the block for you,” he would say. I was constantly reassured, but without the affirmation of a boyfriend, the words of my loved ones fell on deaf ears.

When I arrived at university, like pretty much any other student, I entered into the Tinder-sphere. I was frequently told I would be perfect ‘if only I were shorter’, boys frequently using the excuse that they could never, ever date a girl that was taller than them. So, naturally, I did the ‘boy thing’ and lied about my height on my profile. 6’3” Katie from Essex became 6 foot. How cheeky.

But please, don’t feel too sorry for me. My sad tall girl self-esteem crisis does have a slightly ‘happy ending’. Last year, one lad I liked on Tinder and I went on a date. Turns out he’d lied about his height, like a lot of lads do.

However, and rather fortunately for me, he’d lied about quite how tall he was. So 6’5” Dave was actually nearer to 6’8”. Get in. And just a couple of weeks ago, we went to Sweden (to be among the other tall freaks of the world) for our first trip away as a couple. Aww.

So, for those of you reading who are long-limbed, male or female, here is my advice: don’t hide yourself away. You are a genetic marvel, with a guaranteed good view at any concert.

Don’t ever let someone make you feel small for being anything but. If anyone mocks you, then that’s their problem, and certainly isn’t something you should be concerning yourself with. One day the right person will come, and they will love every inch of you.

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Hello, girls (or young ladies respectively)!

On these pages you may have to read about dangerous people you might meet online. This website, as well as many others, is going to try and warn you about the dangers of being online. But I'd like to go one step further and that's why this website is going to be there for you and support you if required. I know we're not yet talking "height" but this topic is one I find extremely important. So, do me, your parents, friends and yourself a favour, Love... be careful and wary! We don't want you to become a "missing child", do we? :-)

For a database of very dangerous people go to www.familywatchdog.us - and don't forget to tell your parents about it. They might want to check it out too! There is  another website that you and / or your parents might want to take a look at: http://www.sexualoffenders.com

In the aftermath of the murder of ten year old Holly and Jessica who were abducted and killed in Soham, UK, the BBC Children's Website has come up with a few tips for staying safe. Click here to read these tips and remember - no matter where you are, it's good to remain safe! More advice from the BBC Website.

Some advice from Tall Ladies who are no longer Teens

Barbara Worton, the author of TOO TALL ALICE (Alice is eight years old, and "...four inches taller than any of the other girls in my class...") believes self-esteem is the greatest gift in life. "Self-esteem," Barbara says, "is the certainty right down to your DNA that you are just perfect as you are and have the right to be accepted, respected, and live a happy and successful life." And that message comes through loud and clear in TOO TALL ALICE.

Lorie Ann has teamed up with me in order to improve the "Tall Teens & Kids" Project. She was a Ballerina until her height (she's 6ft) caught up with her.  Lorie Ann has since become a successful writer and she's co-founded Readergirlz, an online book community celebrating gutsy girls in life & literature. Make sure to read the Readergirlz April 2007 Manifesta and check out Lorie Ann's myspace.com profile!

 "You like being tall???"

What does "tall" mean in the context of this website? Well, if you're grown up you'll be considered tall if you're 5'10" or over. If you're - say - 12 and 5'8" - you'll be considered tall. It's usually relative... if you feel you're too tall you've come to the right place. If you're still not fully grown and would like to know how tall you are going to get you can try http://www.kidsgrowth.com/hc/height.cfm - I don't know how reliable this is but it's an interesting approach.

This is interesting: The Tall Club International offer TCI Students Scholarships of up to $1000 each to tall students who are under 21 years of age and attending  their first year of college in the following Fall. The recipients must also meet  the TCI height requirement minimums of 5'10" for women and 6'2" for men.

From wide-fit shoes and maternity ranges to plus-size accessories, there's something for everyone in UK shops. The question is, why do they bother where others don't?

Read the full article on the Guardian website

Well, this is topical, I'm afraid...

The woman stole an expensive designer bathing suit from a local shop.

By Rich Scinto (Patch Staff) June 22, 2015

Police are investigating after a New Canaan shop reported that an expensive one-piece bathing suit was stolen.

An employee from Soleil Toile on Elm Street reported the bathing suit stolen on June 16.

A blonde woman who is between 5'10'' and 6-feet-tall was asked by an employee if she needed assitance. She said no and the employee walked away.

Later on an employee noticed a hanger and tags on the floor.

Reported stolen was an Oasis bathing suit by Karla Colletto valued at $276.

The suspect is believed to be between the ages of 55 and 60-years-old and was heavy set, according to witness reports.

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Story by Ruthe Stein Photography by Russell Yip | November 10, 2016

Jessie Shepherd’s pride in her figure — all 6-feet-4 of it — is reflected in her decision to take up burlesque in her late 20s. She performs at the Elbo Room in the Mission as Lilith De Fee.

Half her stage name derives from the mythical archetype of female independence, and the other half pays homage to a burlesque dancer from the 1940s, who was the same height as Shepherd.

“Her name was Lois De Fee, but they called her Superwoman. She was awesome,” Shepherd said. Strolling through downtown San Francisco in 3-inch heels, she might be described the same way.

Shepherd is part of a generation of women in their 20s and 30s who grew to heights taller than Mom and sometimes even Dad. The Internet has become a conduit for them to bond through blogs like Tall Swag and Height Goddess. Over the past five years or so, online shopping has made it increasingly possible for tall women to find fashionable clothes designed for their particular frames.

Tall Bay Area women, emboldened by their numbers and stylish attire, say they’ve forsaken slouching and revel in soaring over everyone, including boyfriends. When George Clooney dated the 6-foot-plus wrestler Stacy Keibler, he marveled at her confidence. “But then what would she be afraid of? Low-flying planes?” he mused.

Earlier this year, Mattel toy company introduced Tall Barbie, an elongated version of the original. For a living, breathing role model, the women interviewed cited Michelle Obama. At just under 6 feet tall, she doesn’t hesitate to wear high heels, resulting in her appearing taller than the president.

“I used to be really quiet and self-conscious as a high schooler,” Shepherd recalled. “But when I went to college I just stopped giving a s—. It was like, ‘Yeah, OK, I’m tall. If you have a problem with that, whatever.”’ Shepherd has been a makeup artist and now works at a Berkeley bookstore, where she discovered Lois De Fee.

Feeling positive about her height led Shepherd to be comfortable with her physique, which led to her titillating hobby. “I have always been into theatrics. I guess I have a little exhibitionism in me but I didn’t realize it until I tried burlesque,” she said.

Tall women are accustomed to stares and questions about their height. Most common is whether they play basketball. They’re also asked if they model. (The opportunity comes up infrequently because women’s clothes are designed for 5-foot-7 bodies.)

Tourists, especially from countries where the population is generally shorter, often want to take a selfie with Shepherd. “I have what I call ‘tall days,’ when for no reason I can figure out I might get approached 10 times about my height,” she said.

The 6-foot-3 author Arianne Cohen said she wrote “The Tall Book” in 2009 because “there are books about every bodily form you can imagine, but there were no books about height, and it has been such a major part of my life for as long as I can remember.” In it she quotes studies showing tall people do better in the workplace. “It’s because shorter people perceive them as more competent,” Cohen said.

An optimal size for a mate is one of the biggest issues faced by women of a certain height. Cohen used to turn down dates who weren’t at least eye to eye with her while standing. Spotting a very tall man out with a short woman would infuriate her; she believed she would be a better fit.

“I got over it and it has helped my life immensely,” she said. “When you become a little more mature and start dating for the right reasons, you aren’t quite as intensely focused on the packages that people’s bodies come in.”

Alicia Jay, 35, senior manager of Game Experience for the Golden State Warriors who has her own personal style blog (http://www.tallswag.com/) and is the model in the images accompanying this article, recalls traumatic teen years when she was never asked out. “To this day men are still intimidated by my height, but now I know that my height is a very beautiful thing; it doesn’t bother me,” said Jay, who stands 6-foot-6. “I look at it as another way to weed out the men that aren’t the one. If you can’t handle my height, why would I want you anyway? Love me in my entirety or vacate the premises.”

The upside of being tall has revealed itself with passing years: “People are incredibly intrigued, which gives us an advantage in every situation. We are conversation starters,” Jay said. “Who else holds the presence of a room just by walking into it?”

Lynn Janicki and her identical twin sister, Kate Johnson, have been turning heads for most of their 32 years. Janicki, a 6-foot-2 marketing director in San Francisco, recalls growing up in tandem with her sister. During their early teens, they would be asked out by 17- and 18-year-olds fooled by their height into thinking the twins were older.

Janicki’s height is what attracted her husband, who stopped her on the street to ask where she was heading. They’re the same height, and Janicki wears heels no higher than 3 inches in deference to him.

By contrast, Rajahnique Jones, a 34-year-old court reporter from Antioch, goes for 4-inch heels to elevate her to 6-foot-4. She won’t date anyone shorter. “I always want to feel protected like I did walking with my dad,” she said.

While blogging at tallnnatural.com, Jones realized that many tall women still don’t feel comfortable or are hesitant to wear heels. She started posting photos of herself exquisitely put together. “A lot of people send me messages saying I inspire them.”

Jones’ main goal is to impress her 14-year-old daughter, who is already 5-foot-9. “I am just trying to be a good example to her. I want to let her know that tall is beautiful.”

Ruthe Stein is a San Francisco freelance writer. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CREDITS: Photography: Russell Yip Styling: Mary Gonsalves Kinney Hair & Makeup:Nicole Notarte Model: Alicia Jay Styling assistant: Elise Filter Von Arx

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Looks like the Huffington Post has fallen in love with tall women

When you're living life at the extreme end of the height spectrum, certain issues the average person might never expect present themselves regularly.

We've already covered the truth about life as only short girls know it, and now it's time to look elsewhere - or more specifically, look up.

Tall girls are a particular breed, part supermodel, part awkward giraffe... and don't even get us started on how tough it is to date. We pulled together some of the joys and sorrows that are daily encounters for the vertically blessed among us. Any of these ring true for you?

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Tall Women Likely To Live Longer

Written By: Kim Buckley

Taller women are more likely to live longer.

According to new medical research, women who are taller than 5 foot 9 are more likely to live into their 90s than women who are shorter than 5 foot 3.

The study from The Netherlands found that a woman's height and weight has a bigger influence on their life span then a man's.

The study also found that greater physical activity results in a longer life but not for both sexes.

The more exercise that men do the more likely they'll will live to old age, but for women, 60 minutes a day is all that's required and doing more doesn't make a difference.

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Tall Women Live Longer Than Short Ones, Recent Study Says

March 11, 2019 - Asheley Rice

According to a new study that lasted for 30 years, tall women have more chances to live longer than short ones. The study was published by the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

Tall women are more likely to have a longer life

The study started in 1986, and 120,000 women and men with ages between 55 and 69 took part in the research. The data comes from the Netherlands Cohort Study. What the study found was that women who are 5 ft 9 when they are 40 years old have 31% more chances to live until they reach 90 than women who are 5 ft 3 or shorter at the same age.

But even though taller women seem to have an aging advantage over shorter women, the same thing doesn't really apply to men.

Men who are engaged in more physical activity might live longer

As far as the height is concerned, this doesn't seem to play such an essential role in how long a man can live. What matters more for men are physical activity levels. The study showed that men who exercised for more than 90 minutes every day had 39% more chances to reach 90 than those who exercised for less than 30 minutes a day.

When it comes to women, those who exercised for approximately 30-60 minutes per day had 21% more chances to reach 90 than women who exercised for less than 30 minutes a day.

Women are believed to have more chances for a long life than men

Another thing that the study found was that no matter how tall or short the women were, they were more likely to live longer than the men. 34.4% of the women who participated in the research lived until they reached 90, while only 16.7% of the men lived until the same age.

Physical exercise is important

There might be a link between tall women and physical exercise, as they may exercise more than those who are shorter, but this has not been proven.

Nevertheless, exercising plays a crucial role in having a healthy life, regardless if you're a woman or a man. Maintaining a healthy life will undoubtedly increase your chances of living longer.

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