AIBU to ask why so many clothes are sized for taller women?

[sarahb083]

Genuinely question - why do clothing companies design clothes for women who are much taller than average height? Why not make the 'standard' size fit 5'5ish women, then offer petite and tall sizing if there's demand for it? The vast majority of women are somewhere within a few inches of 5'5 and very few are 5'10!

I've been looking for a jumpsuit. They all look lovely on the model, then you look at the model's height and she's 5'10. Surely a very small percent of women are this tall? Some companies make petite sizes (great!) but most don't.

I love the look of these for example, but the model is 5'10! They'd look ridiculous on me and I'm average height.

I find the opposite is true particularly when it comes to leg length. I'm 5'8" so taller than average but not massively so and most standard length trousers are flapping around my ankles but long lengths drown me.

At a shade under 5'4 i sit between petite and standard. I have become fairly decent at putting a hem on trousers, but have also found that anything that is elasticated waist (eg jogger jeans) seem to sit empire line! Like Simon Cowell pants! And if I sit them on my waist there's too much length to the gusset. I have returned so many pairs recently. I never even consider a maxi dress - i'm clumsy enough without an extra trip hazard

LOL are you joking?

I am 5'10" and I have to search for tall ranges to get jeans or trousers with a 34" leg which is long enough for me.

I cant count the number of things I have bought which end at my ankle rather than at my foot where its meant to end 🤣

Ohhh God I wish I knew the answer to this question, @sarahb083! I have had to shorten dresses or skirts so many times - I’m lucky that I am reasonably handy with my needle, so I can alter clothes to fit me, but not everyone can do that.

I’m 5’7 with longer legs and a short waist (as my DM says) and really struggle with trousers, dresses, jump suits and everything really. Skirts/dresses are either way too short or fit awfully where my waist actually is.
the thing is that every woman’s body is different so it’s impossible for clothing companies to suit everyone.

These threads always baffle me. I seem to be the only unicorn on MN, who can easily shop in all the mainstream (and non-mainstream) shops, and stuff fits great majority of the time. Sure, there are exceptions, but most of the time things fit me fine. I shop exclusively online, haven't bought clothing in a physical shop in the past 15 years or so, other than small basics like underwear, etc.

I'm 5'11'', 6-8 clothes size, shoe size 8.

To be fair, I should mention that I mostly wear skirts and dresses, rarely trousers, but I do have a few palazzo ones and maybe two pairs of jeans. Have no trouble finding coats, dresses, skirts, tops, shoes at all. I like to shop and buy quite a bit, like creating outfits, styling, dressing up, I'm not a 'leggings and long top' type of person.

Nearly all the maxi dresses are for your height!

This is only three websites, none of which I would shop in.

Most websites I shop at, I have to look at the tall range to get things that are long enough

Try being under 4ft 11! Nightmare. My boobs and waist are too big for children’s clothing!

I dont really wear maxi dresses, hence why I mentioned trousers

I'm 5'11 and find the vast majority of clothes way too short. ME+EM is one of the few brands I know will be a good length.

I'm 168cm (5ft6) and used to find 'regular' trousers fine. Recently though, they are dragging off the end of my feet. I've had a few M&S regulars like this.

I also must have orangutang long arms, because I often find jackets far too short in the arms and stop before my watch band.

It's not just about height though. I have a very short, slim body with a very long inside leg so I need things at least 34" inside leg, maybe even 36". I'm basically all legs

Well you’re 5 inches taller than the average UK woman, it’s hardly surprising things aren’t the right length on you. They aren’t designed to fit someone who is 4ft10 either.

Ditto and it's easy to shorten but not to lengthen. 5'10, luckily I don't like dresses as the waist is always heading for my boobs. Women's t shirts, blouses never stay tucked in and the sleeves too short.
Although no idea what's going on with M&S jeans, long has suddenly become too long.
It does depend on whether your height is in your torso or your legs.

I'm just responding to people claiming clothes are made for my height! they might be on catwalk models but thats not what appears in actual shops

I’m 5’8” and need longer, if anything.

As somebody that is 5'8 I have to order long length or 32/34 length, standard is normally too short. Cropped looks ridiculous. My issue is also sleeves, most of the time I turn sleeves up to compensate for them being too short if worn conventionally.

Firstly you've only referenced 3 sites out of hundreds. Secondly we all know the way the clothes fit the model bears no resemblance to how they will fit in real life. Many a time I've seen photos of tall models with long flowing trousers and when they arrive they are pretty much half mast on me!

This is my point! You're 5'11, which is MUCH taller than the average woman, and most clothes fit you well.

Though I do take on board the many tall women who say they struggle to find clothes. I suppose we all feel like most things don't fit us, because there's such a wide variety of body sizes so most clothes just won't fit most people.

Average height in UK is 5ft 3.5 now.

Normal sizing a generally do not fit me at 5’11.5!

When I see tall models, the clothes often don’t even fit them properly. Sleeves and trousers are too short.

It is very hard to find clothes to fit very tall women. We aren’t catered for and options are very limited.

Even the tall selections are often crap. I’m looking at you M&S - 32-33 inch inseam isn’t tall!!

Actual garment inseam measurements (not 'to fit' leg measurements) would be a good start!

I am 5ft 6 and trouser hems are regularly 1/2 inch to 1 inch too short - so they sit in a really naff place.

Are you even listening to the rest of us saying we can't find tall clothes easily?

As I said earlier its not just about height its about proportions. I am all legs. I need at least a 34" - 36 " leg. Good luck finding that online - I'll give you a quid for every "normal" size you can find in that length that isnt labelled "tall"

Trousers are long but I can't find longer length teeshirts and tops for love nor money!

They are always too short. Always.