Espadrilles-The Cool Summer Find

« June 2008 | Main | August 2008 »

Shoes
Flats
I would reccommend purchasing 2 pairs of comfortable ballet flats in different styles and colors.

Photo courtesy of People.com
Boots
Every tall fashionista should own both a pair of walking boots and a pair of statement boots. Don’t shy away from heels. As a 6’3” woman, let me tell you, nothing looks better than a boot with a heel of at least 2". I suggest a leather knee length boot- which adds versitilty to your wardrobe and will last for many years.

Black Leather Pumps
These classics take you from day to night. I recommend a slightly rounded or almond shaped toe, as many tall women have larger feet, which pointed shoes can accentuate.

Every wardrobe needs that showstopper that will turn heads. Whether the shoe touts a sexy heel, bright color, or shiny, printed fabric, it should work well with your basics and add a touch of personality.

Photo courtesy of chicagomag.com
Coats and Jackets
Long Wool Coat
A flattering coat is a timeless neccessity as well as a most conspicuous fashion choice during the winter months.

Photo Courtesy of Nordstrom. com
The Trench Coat
The trench coat is a classic. Not only are they are offered in a wide range of lengths, many are waterproof for functionality! These are go-to jackets for travel locally and globally.

Photo Courtesy of MarieClaire.com
Blazer
The shape is the most important attribulte of a woman's blazer. The jacket should follow the silhouette of the female form, accenting the curve at the waist. Blazers are the perfect piece to pair with a skirt, dress pant or pair of jeans.


Dresses and Tops
T-shirts and Tanks
I suggest two of both long and short sleeved Ts- one in a casual and one in a dressy fabric. These are great for wearing alone or layered underneath a relatively short sweater or blazer. Tunic lengths are ideal for tall women in terms of adjustablility.

Black turtleneck

White Shirt

Evening Top or Shell

Day dresses


Jeans and Pants
Pants
Two pairs- First, the classic black, wide-legged dress pant is a must. Also look for boot-cut or straight leg trousers that hit slightly below the waist.

Jeans
Two pairs; One figure-flattering pair for every day usage that is long enough to pair with flat shoes or a slight heel. Also look for one fashion forward pair for special occasions, maybe a bit more expensive than the everyday jeans.

Khaki Pants
One pair that can be worn in casual offices, traveling or every day as a great alternative to sweats

Skirt
Choose one with a bit of stretch that can easily be worn with your sweaters or tops.

Heels or flats? This is the question most tall women dread. Some tall women refuse to wear high heels while others refuse to wear a heel that is higher than 2-inches. What is the excuse for this fashion indiscretion? Well, some common complaints include: "I can’t walk in them!" or "They hurt my feet."
If either of those excuses describe your predicament, avoid wearing heels. We wouldn’t want you to hurt your ankle or kill yourself for fashion. However, the excuse I've heard from the majority of tall women is "I'm too tall." This timidity, or the desire to protect the fragile egos of others, should not keep you from wearing fantastic shoes.
Heels don't just add height, they complete a look. Heels make your legs look longer and leaner while making your behind appear more firm. Heels are stylish and fun, and can make just about any outfit look fabulous. Take it from a 6’3” woman who owns plenty of three and four inch shoes (and one more bought today, see above image)- heels are your friend. I base my decision about whether or not to wear heels on what looks best with my outfit, where I am going, what I will be doing, and how I am getting there (since I can’t run in certain heels). What anyone else thinks about my height just isn't a concern!
At 5'10", Heidi Klum embraces her height in platform Louboutin pumps!

The T-shirt should be a basic in every woman's arsenal- something that can be used for layering or as a top paired with your favorite jeans. The basic T has been the hardest to find as a tall woman. I have been on the hunt for the perfect fitting T-Shirt for a long time. I've bought men's Ts in a size small and boys Ts in a size large.

Long sleeved or short Ts are a basic need for all women, especially for tall women, because a T can add length to clothing items that are too short. Layering allows tall women to extend wardrobe choices when tall sizes are not available. [As seen on Mandy Moore (5'10") above]
In general Ts should fall at the hips. However, when made of a stretch material that can either be scrunched up to a shorter length or stretched to a longer length. I always recommend that if you find something to your liking, purchase more than one in as many colors as your purse will allow.
TShirt Retailers for Women with Longer Torsoes
"Yummie Tummie" tank top
As seen on Oprah, this tank top and shaper in one guarantees no more "muffin tops." The longer version has 3 inches of added length.
LnA
LnA designs a line of Ts that are longer than most with an added stretch in the arms and torso. They can be found at Pink Mascara.
Forever 21
They sell Ts that run longer. This is where I usually go when I need an inexpensive top at the last minute, as I live near a store. There is also an online store.
Column Clothing
My number one choice for tops- period. They carry ts, tanks, and turtlenecks both in long and short sleeves. They are designed by tall women for tall women.
The Gap
The Gap online store has a womens tall section that carries Ts and camis for tall ladies.


Finding hosiery can be a daunting task for women of stature. If you have ever taken a pair of drugstore hosiery and stretched them for 20 minutes to the desired length, as I have, you know just how difficult it can be to find the correct size of hosiery. I have found that spending the extra money for a designer brand of hosiery makes a world of difference in fit and comfort. Designer brands construct their clothing to fit models-- who tend to be taller than average. I have listed below some online retailers who cater to tall women.
Online Hosiery Retailers
Barenecessities.com
This online resource has a tall section with many of the Donna Karan hosiery listed below.
AlexBlake.com
Alex Blake carries women's XX tall hosiery.
http://www.alexblake.com/alexblake/findit/verytall_over6foot.html
MyTights.com
This is my favorite shop for undergarments. They carry tall and extra tall hosiery, Spanx, and much more.
http://www.mytights.com/mytights/findit/ExtraTall.html

Tall Hosiery
DKNY Control Top Opaque Tall Tights icon $8.90
DKNY Rib Knit Tall Tights icon $12
Donna Karan Tall Tights icon $28
Donna Karan Satin Ribbed Tall Tights icon $30
Hue Super Opaque Tall Tights icon $11
I love the summer- sunning on the beach in a fabulous swimsuit with a handsome gentleman handing me a cocktail. But how does a tall girl with a long torso find that fabulous swimsuit? There are more options for style, size and proportion in the realm of swim suit shopping these days.
One is the bikini, which is perfect for tall divas because separate pieces can be purchased to fit your top and bottom. If you are tall and thin a Brazilian or v-shape bottom will make long legs look even longer. If your hips are narrow gathered sides, ties, metal hardware, and patterns will draw attention to your hips and make you seem curvy.

If you are not naturally blessed, do not strive to achieve a supermodel figure, or are just not interested in brazen fashions, the tankini or “monokini” might be your choice for achieving swimwear nirvana. The tankini is visually more forgiving than the bikini. but not as conservative as a one piece. Also, the tankini separates the line of your body to make it appear more proportioned. Monokinis are the hottest trend in swimwear right now. The cut-out or cut-away affect is sexier than a one-piece and less revealing than a bikini. Also, the monokini provides more coverage in the stomach area but exposes more skin to the sun, for tanning purposes. Tall fashionistas can truly pull this trend off since we have more body to cover. It also helps to create the illusion of a curve at the hip.
A one piece suit designed for a long torso is ideal if you are looking for full coverage and maximum sun protection. The cut of the neckline and leg make a huge difference since low necklines and high-cut bottoms create the illusion of a well-proportioned body. A style from this season that I love is the Grecian one-shouldered swimsuit, which is very reminiscent of the '40s and '50s era. I found a lovely swim dress at Newport-news.com.I wore the Shape fx® shirred skirted suit (in a tall size) in white during a recent trip to Miami. It was a huge hit when I wore it to the beach, a pool party, and on Ocean Drive for drinks.
I know how hard it is to find women's shoes in a size larger than 10. I buy most of my shoes on the internet since I wear a size 11.5 and I, like most women, love stylish shoes and have paid upwards of $500 for one pair.

I have listed five of my favorite online shoe stores that offer maximum style in sizes larger than 10. These sites offer every imaginable style of shoe including: sandals, heels, pumps, sneakers, wedges, slides, and bridal shoes. You can find any kind of shoe your heart desires, in the size you need, and at an affordable price. Is that a lot to ask for? I think not. Once you look through the list I would suggest you go to the websites and sign up for their e-mail lists in order to receive notice of special sales and discounts.

Nordstrom
Nordstrom carries women's shoes up to a size 14 and offers an extremely stylish selection and a wide range of prices (including many sales!)
Barefoot Tess
This site offers sizes 10-16. I have ordered many shoes from this online store. They offer couture style and moderate pricing with weekly sales.
Designer Shoes.com
This site offers shoes up to a size 14 at great sale prices.
Friedman's Shoes
They carry shoes up to a size 13. Nice selection from decent brands such as Cianna, Jessica Bennett, Moda, Proxy, and Van Eli.
Payless Shoes
Payless shoes run up to a size 13 and are an affordable choice for women's shoes. However, they are always a season behind on the trends.
Finally the fashion tides have turned, sending a wave of longer hemlines upon our tall shores. We now have an alternative to alarmingly short skirts and dresses. Fashionistas are replacing their mini dresses with this season’s trend – the maxi dress. These long, flowing, floor-length dresses have been worn on the red carpet by the likes of Vanessa Hudgens and Eva Longoria. These dresses flatter taller, wider women because they offer enough coverage yet still manage to make women look romantic and feminine. Maxi dresses can easily be taken from formal to casual with a few easy accessory changes. The maxi paired with flip flops and a wide brim hat can be perfect beach attire. However, when paired with heels and elegant jewelry it can be perfect for a night out on the town.

If you are extremely tall look for gypsy-inspired dresses that add texture and weight, heightening the elegance of the look. Heavier body types should avoid light colors and small prints, as they can add width. Bold prints and colors camouflage flaws. Those with larger busts should look for dresses that have halter tops and stay away from spaghetti strap dresses - as they can draw attention to the wrong places.
If you are wondering where to buy your maxi dress this season, I picked up one from Victoria's Secret. They had many styles to choose from but I picked the strapless curvy jersey maxi dress, shown above. The dress fell right to my ankles (anything longer would be too long, in my opinion, and unbearable to walk in). The style I purchased is currently selling for $85.

I also found this banded- waist maxi dress at www.tallgirls.co.uk for £30.00 (approximately $60USD) plus shipping and handling.