On a recent shopping escapade with my mother to Southampton's shopping mall I went on the, what seems like a never ending, search for clothes that actually fit me. As most of you know, I am a lady of size that is not often represented by the high street or any clothing retailers really, and often rely on my mum to make me lovely garments. I am 6' tall, with 34" legs ending in (large) size 8 feet, and an hour glass figure that has bust and hips of a size 14 and the waist of a size 10. Yeah. Can you see why I generally detest shopping? And vintage shopping is a no-go area, which makes me sad because we all know how much I love vintage! I am, sometimes but rarely, saved by the tall section of high street stores, plus the one and only shop for taller ladies, Long Tall Sally. I say sometimes but rarely because according to these sections and stores long-legged ladies are only allowed to wear a maximum of three outfits:
1) The trouser suit.
2) Jeans/'Lounge wear':
And 3) Evening Dresses - never full length though, that would be far too much fabric (Shops listen up: a 6', size 12 lady uses much less fabric than a 5'5", size 18 lady)
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| This is quite nice actually... |
I have spared you the monstrosity of the shoes...
Moving on to my next point: not only is there a lack of choice in the stores that DO provide taller ladies things, there is just a general lack of stores that provide anything at all. New Look, I am looking at you.This brings us neatly back to the beginning of our story...
New Look and Topshop were the only shops (to my knowledge anyway) that regularly provided a tall section (complete with the three permitted outfits), but as I searched for the section in the blindingly bright white Southampton branch my quest returned fruitless. New Look had stopped their tall section.
Now, I am left with only one shop that is willing to clothe me. They all seem willing to clothe small ladies - every shop seems to have a petite section! So where is my section? Any other tall ladies (and gents! I know you have this issue too!) feeling my pain? And, if anyone knows any vintage repro/rockabilly stores that do a tall section, you will be my hero if you inform me!
4 comments:
As you know I have the complete opposite problem to you :P but I do sympathize! There's not enough range of sizes in shops cos retailers are lazy, simple as. Which sucks but I guess their excuse is that you can always try online...
And I had no idea New Look in town don't do the Tall section anymore. Will tell my manager about that, we've been sending some of our customers over there thinking they'll have their size xoxo
I totally 100% feel your pain. I'm 6'1, with an hourglass figure and 34" legs as well and shopping mainstream has been a nightmare for me. Here in Canada we have "Tall Girl" and the clothes are meant for my grandmother OR they are so expensive that I can't purchase even if I do find something I like. So I have taken to wearing dresses and skirts...all the time. Even in winter (leggings/tights) are my friends. I find it easier to buy dresses from reproduction stores to keep with my love of 40's/50s(and even vintage once I was determined to find ones that fit my figures)then fussing in all those stores that don't cater to me and since I have made that change I have been much happier ever since. NOW if I could just get the reproduction 1950's jeans to be in longer lengths my life would be complete.
Have you looked into getting items made for you? I know there are tons of designers on Etsy and such that will hand make you your fav vintage repro clothes to your size. I had a skirt and top made by one a few months ago and it was not that expensive and turned out amazing!
In the end though, we are awesome! and there is a reason why so many Rockabilly songs talk about tall women, it's because we rock! Even if we have to be a bit more patient when trying to find clothes that work for us.
Liz, I'm so glad I am not alone! Luckily my mum is a very good seamstress so she often knocks me up a few dresses and tops that fit very nicely. Freddie's of Pinewood do 34" leg jeans for turn ups, but then, of course, once they are turned up they're too short. If only they would do a 36" leg...
Let unite all tall women who would like a "Freddie" jean and request a 36" just for that turn up! lol. sigh...some day.
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