Clothes that don't fit and beds that aren't long enough - it's not all easy

Mark Mason

Why don't tall people get the same sympathy as short people? Everyone feels sorry for minnows, cutting them slack when they talk loudly in meetings or get themselves elected Speaker of the House of Commons. But tall people are seen as life's victors; the ones you want to be, the ones who get everything their own way. It just isn't the case.

I'm not actually that tall — 6ft 1in — but even I encounter problems. Cashpoints are too low, hotel beds are too short, train seats don't have enough leg room. In the days of phone boxes, I spent every call hunched over (not enough lead). I regularly have to bend at the knees to use mirrors, and am sometimes forced to take showers kneeling down, because the head hasn't been fixed high enough up the wall. What's that you say? Have a bath instead? I would — if that wasn't too short as well. It's a choice between sitting bolt upright or resting my feet against the tiles somewhere near the ceiling.

And if I'm struggling, what's it like for the 6ft 4-and-above brigade? The other day I used a walkway in the Barbican where I only had three inches clearance — anyone that much taller than me would have had to stoop. I know, the whole Barbican is a design-free zone, but it's far from the only place. Much of modern Britain is structurally tallist.

It was only when talking to a friend who's 6ft 6 that I realised just how troublesome clothing can be. All I've ever had to do is buy shirts with extra-long sleeves, but Rob has an extra problem with casual shirts. 'They all expose my navel when I stretch. And not in a winsome, sexy way.' Trousers are a nightmare. My inside leg is 34 inches, Rob's is 36, and apparently those extra two inches make all the difference. 'They dramatically limit your options,' he says. 'I can buy suits from T.M. Lewin and jeans from Gap — and that's it.' Rob once walked into a tailor's on Jermyn Street and asked if they had anything to fit him. 'The bloke held up a tie.'

It's even worse for women. 'There's a shop called Long Tall Sally that every tall woman goes to once,' says my friend Emma (6ft). 'You're desperately hoping you'll find a pair of trousers that go all the way down to your shoes. The customers lurk between the rails of polyester stretch, taking furtive glances at each other, all thinking: "Well at least I'm not that tall."' Emma's amazed at people's attitudes when they meet her. 'They think it's perfectly fine to say, "God you're tall, do you find it difficult to get shoes?" Imagine if I said to a fat stranger, "Do you find it difficult to get clothes?"'

Then there's the matter of relationships. How often do you see a woman with a man shorter than her? There's the odd exception — the ex-Mrs Bernie Ecclestone, for instance — but for whatever reason it seems to be a no-no. Germaine Greer (6ft) says she never learned to dance backwards because she always had to take the male role. Some tall women (and indeed men) hunch their shoulders in an attempt to hide their height. The habit never goes away, no matter how successful you become.

Tall poppy syndrome, of course, that's what they call it. Rosamund Beattie (6ft 4), a member of the Tall Persons Club — not a joke, they really do find life difficult — says it's like being famous but without the money. The club's website relates that tall children are 'disproportionately likely to be bullied at school, something that most adults do not appreciate. The tall child has to be the aggressor, right? Wrong.'

There can also be health problems. Louise Ross (6ft 3, another TPC member), has had 'dodgy knees since I was ten'. Her loose ligaments have necessitated 12 operations. OK, such troubles will only be common for out-liers like her. But even if the 'averagely tall' like me don't suffer health issues, we do encounter regular irritations. The glass shelves that stand above bars in many pubs — I can only order my round by squatting slightly. Someone my height could never work behind that bar: they'd be in agony after the first shift.

Yes, I know all this is going to sound rich to someone of below average height. 'I'll swap places with you,' they'll be saying. Fair enough. On balance I'd rather be 6ft 1 than 5ft 5. But it's still true that, as so often, a supposedly desirable outcome in life is slightly less desirable than you might think. Before you look at a tall person and say you wish you were them, walk a mile in their shoes. Assuming they've been able to find any.

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A mundane coincidence turns into a mild obsession with the uniquely tragic life of a 7'7" Indiana woman who died a folk hero.

In 1976, in Shelbyville, Ind., a city of about 20,000 southeast of Indianapolis, a film premiere was held. The picture was Fellini's Casanova. A highly conceptual Italian art house flick about sexual deviance was not what this audience was used to; the house, nonetheless, was packed. A local was in it, a 21-year-old everyone knew about but whom few knew well. She now sat nervously waiting for it to start, concerned about what her neighbors were going to think of it, of her.

"For his giant work, he even imported a giantess from America," one news article about the picture had read, a find that had ended director Federico Fellini's, "worldwide search for an amazon."

She was credited: "Sandra E. Allen – Giantess."

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The Short Guy's Guide to Dating Tall Women

by Erica Rivera Jan 3rd, 2020

Dating as a short guy is rough. We get it. Online dating sites and apps haven't helped, as many allow users to outright eliminate you from their search based on height. But that doesn't mean your dating life has to come up short. Not only are there women out there who are totally open to dating guys of all sizes, but there are also ways you can present your best self (all 5 feet, 2 inches of you) that'll make your date overlook your, um, shortcomings. Commit these dating hacks to memory and your prospects will start looking up.

Stop whining.

We know you're at a disadvantage in the dating world because of your height, but moaning about it isn't going to help. The pity party stops now. You can't change your height, but you can change your attitude about it, and until you do, none of the subsequent dating hacks will work.

Don't talk yourself out of it.

You can't tell what women are attracted to just by looking at them. Even if the one you want has a foot on you and has expressed a preference for tall guys doesn't mean you're out of the game. You just might be the one who changes her mind about short guys forever. But you won't know until you try.

Don't pretend to be something you're not.

Lying is not cool, especially since height is a pretty hard thing to hide. You can fudge the numbers up to an inch online, but no further. You can wear shoes with thick soles. You can develop exquisite posture. What you can't (or at least, shouldn't) do is pretend to be something you're not. You're short and she knows it. No amount of smoke and mirrors will disguise that. Accept it and carry on.

Make the most out of what you have.

You can't make yourself taller, but you can bulk up. Muscle mass shows that you value your appearance, that you take care of your body, and makes you look more masculine. (Hey, we didn't make the gender stereotypes, but we acknowledge they exist.) For many women, even the tall ones, a show of strength will outweigh your short stature.

Dress for success.

Clothing plays a huge part in the impression people form of you. A well-dressed man of any size is more likely to get a second glance than a slob is. If you're inept when it comes to fashion, scour men's fashion magazines or hire a personal shopper to learn what cuts, colors, and fabrics highlight your assets. When your date sees you for the first time, your sharp sense of style will make her proud to be your arm candy.

Be confident.

Height may be a turn-on for some, but confidence is sexy no matter who you are. Don't cower. Be bold. Standing tall is a state of mind. If you believe you deserve that tall woman, she's more likely to believe you do, too.

Go for the laughs.

So you don't check off that "tall" box on her ideal man list. No matter. Check off some other boxes, like "funny." People remember how they felt around a date more than how their date looked, so leave that tall lady breathless with belly laughs and your height will seem like an insignificant afterthought.

Bust a move.

No, a tall woman can't cradle her head in that nook between your chin and your shoulder (at least not when you're upright) but you can still lead like a big man on the dance floor. Learn some steps and make her heart race one song at a time. It's not about what you have, but how you use it!  

Compensate with cash.

No woman has ever complained that a man spent too much money on their date. If it's within your means, make the date an affair to remember by pulling out all the stops. Hey, sometimes you have to invest in a relationship to reap the dividends. If being short is limiting your prospects, especially with tall women, spoil the dates you do have and make yourself the most valuable man she's ever met.

Remember your idols.

If you're vertically challenged, it helps to remember you're not alone -- and that your height doesn't determine your potential. Here's a short list of charismatic celebrities under six feet: Prince (5'2"), Kevin Hart (5'4"), Bruno Mars (5'5"), Aziz Ansari (5'6"), Tom Cruise (5'7"),  Mark Wahlberg (5'8"), Robert Downey Jr. (5'9"), George Clooney (5'10"), and Brad Pitt (5'11"). We bet none of them would have any trouble scoring a date, even with a tall woman. (Except Prince. He's dead.)

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February 13, 2017 5:37 PM by Julia Felsenthal

I recently took a photo of my sister and me in a dressing room mirror. We’re trying on matching purple turtlenecks. She’s got her hands on her hips and she’s humoring me, her lips set tightly in a half-smile. I’m gazing at the screen on my phone, intently composing the shot.

Our jeans are similar, and so is our hair, almost the same color and length. But I tower over her. Her head barely clears my shoulder, and my hip aligns with her chest. She could pull her sleeves over her hands; mine, like the sleeves of all my sweaters, end mid-forearm exposing inches of naked wrist.

If you glanced at this photo out of the corner of your eye, you would be forgiven for thinking that I’m an adult and she’s a child, or I’m a man and she’s a woman, or maybe even that we belong to two different species entirely.

My sister is three years older than I am, and seven inches shorter. She is slim and narrow and small, with delicate wrists and ankles. She is also thoughtful, cautious, responsible, the quiet eye of the storm. I am the storm: erratic, moody, restless, and attention seeking. I am six feet tall; broad shouldered; wide hipped; a sprawling, messy human being. I look like I could eat her for breakfast.

I am louder, but I am the younger sister, the follower. I followed my sister through high school, inherited her extracurriculars, her favorite teachers, followed her to college, into her freshman dorm, her choice of major, to New York—the same block, even—and her world of magazines. My mother once told me she thought my life had only become complicated the day my sister decided to have children and went someplace where I wasn’t sure I wanted to go.

A younger sister is not accustomed to breaking ground. When I got my period and couldn’t figure out how to insert a tampon, my sister did it for me. She taught me how to shave my armpits and legs. In my nascent adulthood, I often went over to the apartment she shared with her not-yet-husband to take a bath, and, like a jerk, consistently left my dirty towel crumpled somewhere on the floor. Once, a decade ago, during a panicked time when I couldn’t face anything, least of all my bills, she came over to my tiny studio, sat on my bed, and calmly opened months of mail for me.

I am younger, but I am the bigger sister. That fact has caused each of us consternation at different points in our lives.If you look at photos of us in early childhood, there are endless shots in matching outfits, my sister serious and rangy, me a stout little grinning gremlin. I remember the moment we discovered that I’d grown taller. I was still in elementary school and we were walking side by side down a sunny block in Chicago. I looked in a shop window as we passed and my reflection hovered above hers. She glared at me when I pointed it out and explained how perspective worked. Objects in the mirror may be shorter than they appear. But I was the one further from the glass, nearer to the curb. Later, at home, I lorded it over her, and she cried.

She doesn’t remember any of this, which makes me wonder which of us was more traumatized: the sister who found it so painful to be outgrown, or the sister who would come to hate that she’d grown so much, so fast.

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The Tall Book: A Celebration of Life From On High

What is The Tall Book?

The Tall Book is 6'3" Arianne Cohen's journey around the world to unlock the mysteries at the center of talldom: why do tall people succeed professionally, financially and intellectually far more than others? Why are tall men the most successful dating and mating group on earth, while tall women have low birth rates? How do you raise a well-adjusted tall kid? And who the hell is behind those airplane seats?

In short: a bible for tall folk. The one, the only.

Where can I order it right this very minute?

Here: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Tall-Book/Arianne-Cohen/e/9781596913080 or here: http://www.amazon.com/Tall-Book-Celebration-Life-High/dp/1596913088

Who would like it?

Tall folk, tall teens, and their loved ones and partners. Just think: every tall person you know has a birthday within the next year. Plus Christmas!

How else can I support the Tall Book?

Call or visit your local bookstore and ask them to carry The Tall Book. That's how bookstores work - they only carry products that customers request. Right now, about half are carrying it.

How's the launch going?

Wildly successfully! Here is Arianne talking tall on the CBS Early Show: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5074749n (also see below!)

And Publisher's Weekly gave it a great review, here: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6660208.html?industryid=47159

You can see other media coverage, including People magazine's four-out-of-four star! s review last week, as well as Arianne talking with NPR, the BBC and The Wall Street Journal, on the homepage of www.ariannecohen.com.

What are people saying about it? Is it any good?

"Given her smarts, inquisitiveness, and warm wit, I'd follow Ms. Cohen up any learning curve. With The Tall Book her assignment is personal, and richer for it. The result is a real resource for giants of all ages (and those who love them) so that we can fully appreciate the advantages and navigate the downfalls of our standing. Not since Randy Newman's "Short People" have those of us of a certain stature had a better rallying cry."
Brad Wieners, 6'7", Editor, Men's Journal

"This is a funny and lively book that belongs - quite literally - on the top shelf of American literature. One of us 'talls' will be happy to get it down for you."
Steve Rushin, 6'5", Sports Illustrated columnist and author of Road Swing

"As a 12-year-old, told to act my age and not my shoe size, I could honestly say, 'They're the same.' Arianne Cohen has written a book for everyone, like me, who grew up (and up) to be proud of their height."
Rebecca Lobo, 6'4", Olympic gold medalist basketball player and ESPN Commentator

"This book is fabulous. I am a 6'4" female, age 36. I have hated every inch of my height, until I read this book. WOW, amazing what a little bit of well written research can do to flip my world upside down. I couldn't be happier. THANK YOU for writing this. Words cannot describe the positive perspective you have given me. What a gift. This book is well written, well organized, and has great information. LOVE IT! I am the lucky one!"
Merl, Amazon.com.com reader

The Tall Club of Italy

Hi!

First of all let me say "Thank You!" for taking the time out to read my blog. My name is Dominique, and I am 6'2". That isn't usually the way I introduce myself, but since this is "The Tall Girl Diaries", I thought it seemed appropriate. I was born in the beautiful city of Stockholm, Sweden and resided there until I was 13 when I moved to Atlanta, GA (A-Town baby!). I lived there for several years until I got bored and decided that better weather was for me and moved to Boca Raton, FL, where I worked as a nanny for a year. I then moved the wonderfully beautiful, and amazing Miami, FL. After having stayed there for a year, I thought I was in love and moved to St. Louis, MO.

I have now been here for the past three years and I have grown to really like it. I have met the love of my life, and we are now living our lives as happy as I think any two people can, and I am blogging my way through the world.

I hope that this blog can reach the young women who aren't yet comfortable with their height, and that I can hopefully inspire them to stand tall and be proud. After all, I wasn't always in love with being tall. I am also hoping to reach the tall women who are loving their height, but just need some help guiding their way through the world of tall girl shopping. I mean, let's be honest here. Tall girl shopping isn't the same as average height shopping. Last but not least, I am hoping to reach all women of all sizes who enjoy fashion, food, and sometimes serious topics.

XO, Dominique

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The Tall Girl's Guide To Denim Shopping

Ray Lowe
‎October‎ ‎4‎, ‎2017

If you're any size that deviates from what brand's consider to be "standard," finding a decent pair of jeans for a decent price can feel like a frustrating experience. For tall girls specifically, the solution isn't as simple as heading to a tailor — especially when there's not enough material to work with in the first place. A standard inseam runs around 32" to 33", which is just enough for 5' 6" woman... in flats. But a successful find for above average heights isn't just about the length of the inseams. Most brands offering "longer" bottoms don't properly adjust for different fits and sizes (not everyone over 5' 7" has a Karlie Kloss figure, you know).

With that in mind, more brands are starting to offer "tall" specific pieces. Loft, Old Navy, the ever trusty throwback Abercrombie & Fitch - they all sell a steady selection of denim tailored towards the longer-limbs. To make things even easier, we've pulled out the the most flattering cuts and fits from brands that know a tall girl's pain.

No more unintentional high water jeans for this crew. For pants that will finally fit, click ahead.

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Jul 7, 2016 6:30 PM
Alice Casely-Hayford

"Go high or go home" has been my shoe mantra since I finally accepted my height — all six feet of it — about eight years ago. Throughout my teen years, I was crippled with insecurity about my BFG-esque stature: I towered above the boys I fancied, was over half-a-foot taller than all of my friends, and my gym teachers always assumed I would be the best in my class (I hate sports and breaking a sweat, have minimal to no athletic abilities, and subsequently disappointed a lot of people).

Shopping, too, was a constant struggle. Fits were never quite right: jeans were ankle-swinging, and sleeves showed too much wrist for my liking. On nights out, I was always the one in flats while my friends showed off their new heels. And with my broad shoulders, too, sometimes the cut of a top was so tight, I'd be hunched over like Quasimodo. It was not a good look.

But hold the violins: This story ends quite happily. Thankfully, by the time I went to college, the boys grew, I discovered some of the advantages of being tall (no ID for me!), and I finally found the right pieces to not just cover, but flatter, my long limbs. For those who feel the same, here's what I've learned: Don't feel like a kitten heel is your only option. Don't feel limited by your wardrobe, feel liberated. And ignore anyone who remarks on your height.

I've also figured out how to wear just about anything thrown my way. Ahead, are six fail-safe outfit options and items that will help all the (tall) ladies in the place embrace their inches.

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The Tall Persons Club

Founded in 1991 by Phil Heinricy, the Tall Persons Club GB & Ireland is an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to providing information and promoting the interests of tall people.

If you are above average height, know someone who is, or have children who are taller than average, the Tall Persons Club aims to offer support, guidance, practical information, and a social outlet that facilitates the meeting of equally elevated souls. Joining the Tall Persons Club can help you gain confidence, and inspire you to improve matters not just for tall people, but for all people..

Who Should Join?

We welcome anyone who will benefit from our information. Membership is for those who consider themselves taller than average. You decide. We have no minimum height requirement because we believe that people know for themselves whether or not they are tall. The Club welcomes individuals and families – taller than average children are, after all, the next generation of members. With each generation growing taller, our members are drawn from all walks of life and every age group.

The Tall Society - by Bree

I have made several attempts in writing this piece and I came to the conclusion that being 100% open and honest with you all will be the way forward. I am sincerely looking forward to connect with my tall sisters worldwide and sharing a piece of who I am will be the first step in getting to know each other better.

My full name is Brunnhilde Wijnaar, but you can call me Bree. I was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Yep so I am Dutch and was born in 'The land of the Tall', or so they say... Well I still towered over all of my friends, but we'll get to that.

I grew up in Rotterdam. In my opinion a great place to learn about the world, its different cultures and diversity. I attended both elementary and high school in Rotterdam. I have to say I have always been a social kid; I was fortunate to have a bunch of friends. At the same time I also was very good in hiding how uncomfortable my rapid growth spurt truly made me. Humor and overconfidence was often what I defaulted to.

So back to the height; today I proudly and confidently stand 6'4 tall.

Was I always as comfortable in my own skin as I am today? Absolutely not.

I was a little taller than average until about age 10 as my mom tells me. Then nature took off and left my family and me in a state of shock. The pace at which I was growing was off the charts, I would grow out of clothes literally weeks after I had gotten them and there was a general feeling of 'What on earth is happening'?

At the time I was a fascinating phenomenon for doctors and several tests later they made the estimation that I would grow to be about 6 feet. Their calculations turned out to be inaccurate as I grew well past the 6 feet mark. By age 14 I was a 6'4 teenager with body of a grown woman.

There is more to my story and I am looking forward to sharing it with you.

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By MARLEN KOMAR

If you're a tall woman that constantly hovers a good head taller than the rest of the crowd, then you might be privy to the usual tall jokes and stigmas. But The Tall Society is an organization of women who tell you to embrace that difference, not hide it.

At 5'10, I've heard it all. I get congratulated at bars for being "brave enough" to wear three inch heels, have to deal with short guys' insecurities on dates, feel guilty when standing in front of people at concerts, and feel like a Jolly Green Giant when I'm around petite woman. With the help of body positive circles, I've learned not to let those things bother me. That's what The Tall Society is: A club that dishes out empowerment and positivity to those that want to embrace their differences rather than change them.

"As the go-to platform for tall girls and women, TheTallSociety.com delivers fashion tips, discussions and access to topics of interest to the woman of stature, as well as opportunities to attend events to connect with your Tall Sisters in person, all while getting a daily dose of inspiration, empowerment and positivity," The Tall Society's press release shared.

The site has it all: They share tall girl brands that offer clothes long enough to fit your form, share funny stories unique to Amazon issues ("Yes, I Did Play Basketball,") and offer articles on how to begin the self-love journey to embracing your shape.

The Tall Society helps to further the dialog and narrative of tall women everywhere, and the site offers contributor stories that share their experiences of growing up tall, and what that entails. From commiserating to embracing, it's a space where women can share their journeys and learn to love themselves.

And now they're taking that community off of the interwebs and into real life with "Tall Sister" Brunches that are popping up all over the US.

Founder Bree Wijnaar said in her press release, "It's amazing what these brunches can do. One of our attendees said, (she) 'stood taller when she went to work on Monday.' I really enjoy that our fellowship as Tall Sisters can generate those feelings of empowerment. We have so many events coming up in the next few months across the country and Canada and I can't wait for other Tall Sisters to experience that feeling!"

If you're a tall lady in need of a tribe that understands you, below are some of their upcoming brunch dates:

• Meet Your Tall Sisters Brunch, Los Angeles, Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica, December 18
• Meet Your Tall Sisters Brunch, Atlanta, W Atlanta – Midtown, January 29, 2017
• Meet Your Tall Sisters Brunch, Chicago, W Chicago Lakeshore, February 12
• Meet Your Tall Sisters Brunch,Toronto, Canada, The Westin Harbour Castle, February 26
• Meet Your Tall Sisters Brunch, Dallas, W Dallas Victory, March 12
• Meet Your Tall Sisters Brunch, Washington, D.C., Fig & Olive, March 26
• Meet Your Tall Sisters Brunch, Seattle, W Seattle, April 22

To register, you can go to The Tall Society. Or if you want to experience your camaraderie online first, see what The Tall Society has to offer on their website here.

Stop slouching and start embracing your height — and if you're still feeling uncertain, The Tall Society has totally got your back.

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This is an article from 2011 but still a good read

On the basketball court, being 6-foot-4 is incredible. In the world of dating, however, it's more complicated

In high school my teammates and I teased our 5-foot-11 basketball coach about the shorter, handsome, rival coach who openly flirted with her during halftime. "Hey, we're all the same height lying down," she would reply, a line that sent us shrieking. Thus, my first lessons in love: A) When you're a tall girl, people are going to have an opinion about the appropriate height of your man; and B) Get over it.

Six-foot-4. One hundred twenty-seven pounds. Eighth grade. It was a miracle of physics that I could walk, let alone run up and down a court bouncing a ball. Luckily, my parents launched a highly successful brainwashing campaign to convince me that being a foot taller than the average American woman was a good thing. My mother enrolled me in ballet. Like a Great Dane among perfect mini-poodles, I learned balance and coordination. My father gently tapped my scapula any time he noticed me stoop. Gabrielle Reece's "Big Girl in the Middle" was required reading.

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By Rachel Gilliam The Winchester Sun Central Kentucky News

Today is your lucky day because the moment you have all been waiting for (and I do realize I'm playing fast and loose with the terms "all" and "waiting") has arrived.

Thursday we found out if the new baby is a boy or girl, and there were no swinging rings or Chinese calendars involved. Just a good, old-fashioned ultrasound, so I feel like it's safe to start painting the room and buying clothes.

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Elisany suffers from gigantism from a tumour on her pituitary gland. Couple have been together three years and have lived together for a year. Elisany still draws stares but Francinaldo says he is proud to show her off. The pair want a long engagement but are already planning the wedding. Although only 18, she hopes to conceive soon due to fears over her fertility

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Usually, these offensive inquisitors have exaggerated their own height

By JUDITH MARTIN, NICHOLAS IVOR MARTIN AND JACOBINA MARTIN | United Feature Syndicate
July 9, 2020 at 1:30 a.m.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a tall woman and am frequently asked my height by men and women alike. While I find it mildly annoying, I can shrug it off easily enough. (I've never understood why asking someone's weight or age is considered rude, but asking about height is fair game.)

But how might I respond to the occasional man who, after asking this personal question and getting an honest answer, doesn't believe me? It seems to imply that I am either too ignorant to know the right answer or a liar, both of which I find very insulting. (I have had my height of 6'0" verified many times over the years, and I have no reason to "fudge" the numbers.)

A typical confrontation of this sort comes from a man who has exaggerated his own height and wants me to explain the obvious disparity between our viewpoints. The next time this happens, is there a way I can let him know he is being a jerk - without being one myself?

GENTLE READER: Asking a woman's weight is also considered fair game these days, Miss Manners is saddened to admit. That does not make asking her height or her weight any less rude — and, as it is rude, you are under no obligation to answer.

A light smile, accompanied by, "Oh, it's been so long since I measured," is all that etiquette requires.

For the persistent male, you may add, with a slight tone of annoyance, "As I said, it's been some time since I measured. Does it really matter?"

If this is still not enough, move closer, look down at him, and ask firmly - but, please, without a snarl - "Well, we're almost the same height, aren't we?"

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Woman taunted for having size 10 feet starts shoe business for big footed girls

She was continually teased for her towering physique and large feet, and some even likened her to the gargantuan cartoon character the Jolly Green Giant.

But now 40-year-old Louise MacLellan, who stands 6 foot tall and wears size 10 shoes, is having the last laugh, running her own business to help other big footed women.

After being made redundant last year Louise decided to open a shop stocking shoe sizes eight to 11 and spent months scouring Europe for feminine designs, as for many years she was forced to wear clumpy and masculine footwear...

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Note: Louise is the owner of Lou Lou Shoes. One of the highly recommended British shoe companies.

This D.C. Fashion Designer Ditched Her Law Career To Make Clothes For Tall Women

by Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 14, 2017 10:48 am

By DCist contributor Mimi Montgomery

At 5 feet 10 inches, Meghan Evans has always struggled to find clothes that fit her tall frame well. She’d buy mediums and larges for extra length, but the clothing would hang boxy and loose. Once she moved to D.C. in 2015 to work as a lawyer, that problem was only amplified.

“The biggest problem mass marketers face is that tall is not simply adding two inches to your hemline and calling it ‘tall build,’” Evans says. Many retailers like J. Crew and Ann Taylor market to taller women, but don’t always take into consideration that things like bust darts, waist lines, pocket placements and armpit holes are all affected by height.

So Evans decided to take matters into her own hands, and her eponymous clothing line was born.

For its debut this month, she sticks to the business-casual classics: A pink tweed blazer, a blue peplum top, and a textured knit dress are all available on her website, and Evans has plans in the works for pop-up shops, as well.

“I realized how hard it was to find clothes you could wear during the week and on the weekend,” Evans says, especially as a woman requiring specifically tailored clothing. “When I moved to D.C., I obviously didn’t have a full-size closet in my condo, and I don’t want a work wardrobe or a weekend wardrobe or an evening wardrobe. I want stuff that can go from my job to drinks with friends to brunch on the weekends.”

Evans has always loved fashion, purchasing dresses on-sale that would be too short for her and having them tailored into custom tops. But she never thought her style savvy could translate into anything other than a hobby. That is until she realized she had a unique insight into what constituted well-made, frame-fitting clothing for professional women of taller height.

Still, she was a lawyer, not a fashion designer.

So Evans purchased a few books on sketching fashion designs, found a local seamstress in D.C. and began consulting with her, bringing in pieces from her own wardrobe to provide examples and instruction. Trips to trade shows and fabric stores in New York’s Garment District followed, and Evans polled fellow tall friends and scoured online clothing reviews for market research.

Her law background came in handy for the business side of things, too, such as selecting her corporate structure, registering her line and completing the paperwork for it to be incorporated. Plus, it helped her be more judicious in her business planning. “It just makes you very aware and forward-looking,” she says. “Before I take one step, I’m always thinking ten steps beyond…It’s not that you don’t take risks, but they’re calculated and informed.”

Of course, starting one’s own business is a risk itself. Earlier this year, Evans quit her job at a D.C. law firm to pursue her fashion line full-time, a career shift that came with its own struggles.

“It can be lonely,” she says of being an entrepreneur. “Especially if you’re venturing into an area that you’re not trained in formally or have a degree in, and therefore don’t have friends from school as a built-in network.”

But Evans is thankful to have started her line here in D.C., citing its design culture as more open-armed and much less intimidating than that of New York or L.A.

“D.C. has a vibrant community for small and local business, so it’s fun to get to know that community,” she says. She cites local designers such as Rebekah Murray of Virginia Dare Dress Co. and Mimi Miller of Mimi Miller Womenswear as inspiration, guiding Evans throughout the design process with advice and mentorship. “They’re very welcoming, supportive and helpful. It’s been amazing to see how friendly people are.”

And with her plans for future expansion, it’s safe to say Evans could soon be giving out advice to a mentee of her own. Her winter line is currently in the works and will debut later this year, which Evans says will be filled with darker colors and more patterns.

Designing a clothing line while managing a business can be a stretch, but luckily Evans is tall enough to reach it.

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I own dozens of heels, but I never ever wear them. Let’s change that.

posted on Jul. 21, 2015, at 9:41 p.m.
Sheridan Watson
BuzzFeed Staff

Hi. I’m Sheridan. I’m 5’11”, a size 18, a Leo, and I barely wear heels.

Sure, I’ve bought a ton of heels, but in recent years I’ve noticed how little I actually wear them. Here are some reasons why:

1.) I’m tall. I still remember one night when a date asked me why I was wearing heels since I “already have the height” — as if that’s the only reason I would be wearing them. That’s one way to kill your strut.

2.) I’m plus-size. I know I can’t speak for everyone, but a lot of plus-size women could probably attest to the fact that growing up, we sometimes didn’t want to draw attention to ourselves. And heels equals all the attention.

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Jul 16, 2015 4:00 PM
Liza Darwin

Thanks to the recent uptick in cool-girl brands with petite lines - like Reformation's "Don't Call Me Cute" collection and 7 For All Mankind's "Tailorless" denim - the short woman's shopping options have never been better. But what about those on the other side of the height spectrum? Taller ladies are still stuck with their own sartorial problems, such unintentional ankle-baring pants or too-short shirts that become de-facto crop tops. Sure, labels like ASOS Tall have provided a welcome selection of casual pieces, but when it comes to dressing up, we've just found a new savior: Marge. As one of the first luxury clothing lines designed specifically for tall women, each piece is tailored for those who stand at 5 foot 9 and taller (which, incredibly, is about 36% of the population).

In 2014, after she had trouble finding clothing that suited her 6 foot 1 frame, Marge founder Kaersten Cooper decided to design her wardrobe herself. The label's debut fall/winter collection, which is aptly titled "Life Up Here," includes elegant and timeless items like tailored trousers, pencil skirts, and overcoats. The clothes themselves might be classic, but the difference lies in the details: the dresses are elongated, the straight-leg pants are cut a bit higher, and the silk tees delicately define with waist without showing any stomach. And, not to mention, the brand boasts one of the most exhaustive fit guides we've ever seen - so women ranging from 5 foot 9 all the way up to 6 foot 5 and beyond can find their best sizes and fits. Marge's debut collection ranges from $300 to $1,200 and launches online today. Shop it here, click through to read our interview with Cooper, and prepare to stand tall.

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