TALL GIRLS UNITE: THERE IS FINALLY CLOTHING THAT FIT RIGHT

February 18, 2008 By Tisha Kulak

For many women, shopping is a wonderfully fun experience. Bustling about the shopping malls in search of the perfect outfit, the best bargains, or a pair of shoes to die for is, for some, a natural high. For those of us who were born naturally “higher” (ie. taller than average), shopping isn’t always a rewarding or fun experience.

At an even six foot since I was about 12, shopping for clothes has always been a nightmare. Pants were never long enough, sleeves were always too short, and my clothing size was never proportionate to my body type. I never received clothing as presents because the women in my family were of average height. In order to have pants that reached past the ankles, I would need to wear pants that were just huge in the waist. It was frustrating, humiliating, and incited a lot of name calling. I can not bear to hear the words “high” and “water” in the same sentence. I could not shop in regular stores because they never carried my size. Alternatively, I sometimes resorted to wearing boy’s clothes because they just fit better. I had checked out many online sites and was disgusted to see that many actually charged extra money for the extra length. How unfair is that? Also, it seemed stores that catered to tall people mostly carried only men’s products.

It wasn’t until a few years ago, browsing through Walmart, did I discover that manufacturers had finally got a clue. I found Levi Jeans had been produced in height sizes (petite, average, and tall). I was beside myself when I discovered they fit perfectly and were relatively inexpensive (under $18). There was no surcharge for the extra two inches of material. Other brands, including Faded Glory, New York & Company, and some of the bigger retail department stores, began following suit. Kimora Lee Simmons, creator of the Baby Phat line, also produces a clothing line fit for the taller folk. Ms. Simmons herself stands at 6′0 and was probably just as sick of the options she faced before gaining notoriety and wealth. I finally had options after so many years of torture. There are still only a handful of places I can depend on for pants with more than a 34″ inseam that do not cost an arm and an extra long leg.

There are still many websites that carry tall woman’s clothing. While I still hate shopping, I am always interested in finding out what companies are interested in dressing taller woman at reasonable prices. I found a website that intrigued me because it provides information about more than just clothing; it covers a whole range of topics important to tall woman. http://www.tallwomen.org/clothes/usa/  is the direct link to page that lists companies that carry tall sizes. When you are done shopping, be sure check out the other sections of the site for some really good reading, whether you are a tall woman yourself or not.

Posted in budgeting, happiness, lifestyle, personal finance, shopping