Tall Women - What do you want when shopping??

[AllLegs95]

Hi all,
I'm a fellow tall girl/women at 5ft9, with my height coming from my legs and not my torso (short torso queen here).

I've really wanted to start my own brand for a number of years, as I'm sure you'll know the high street and even online, just doesn't cater correctly. Trousers & jeans are either way too long or are too short. Now I know that this may not be an issue for those of you with say a 34" inseam or the 36"+ inseam that is often seen catered for by the likes of ASOS (aren't some of their clothes ridiculously long!).
I've been wondering where to start with something that really services us and thinking about what I yearn for in my own wardrobe, I'm missing a really nice set of loungewear or tracksuit top and bottoms. Is this just me or do you struggle too?

Please share with me your pain points when it comes to shopping and what it is that you really wish you could buy at the click of a button, is it really good basics or is it the more fashionable items? I've worked for fast fashion retailers so I kind of know where to start with building this from the ground up, but I really want to serve US. I don't want to be fast fashion, I want to produce clothing that lasts.

My 15 year old daughter is 6ft 2 and needs a 36 inside leg , there's absolutely no shops that do that anywhere near us , and buying online is always a risk as not every site has the same size waist etc so your never sure what size to get. If she wants flares , she can manage a extra long from plt or boohoo but they tend to be baggy round her butt area , long tall sally is pretty good but seriously expensive when you need a full wardrobe ! She tends to buy skinny leg leggings and avoids jeans because it doesn't matter if they come up short but that's not always what she wants to wear . I wear a 34 inside leg so it's slightly easier but still not a great variety of trousers to pick from when shopping,I'm also plus size which makes it even harder. Everyone's body's are different shapes but plus size clothes are all the bloody same, I'm lucky I have an aunt who's a seamstress and she can alter clothes because nothing I ever buy fits perfect ,there's always a baggy bit at my butt or back of my legs or round the crotch

Good pyjamas. I’ve found some from LTS which are a nice length but not the best fabric.

I usually wear men’s PJs which are just about long enough.

Leggings, exercise or otherwise. Look alright when put on but they will work down as they are worn.
The hips in longer length high street trousers are often too low down and look like riding jodhpurs ( Next im looking at you ). My hips to waist measurement is not longer ! Only my legs.
Maternity clothes. Dh bought mine from the states on a work trip or id have been wearing....??? Nothing.

Plus sized clothes. You can be tall. You can be plus sized. You can't be both.

I am 5'11. Weigh180lbs 42" bust and, weirdly considering that, look quite athletic.
Both my daughters are taller and proportionately larger than me.

Size 9 womens shoes. Like hens teeth.

I sometimes make my own clothes, and the odd thing for daughters but its quite challenging doing correct pattern alterations.
Good luck.

@Dingdong90 For your daughter, have a look at Hiut Denim for jeans. You choose the style, and then waist size (in inches) and leg length (including 36”) separately. They’re expensive but they are literally jeans for life (they offer free repairs for life!). I have quite a few pairs from Hiut now and their measurements are always exactly what you picked and the quality is outstanding.

https://hiutdenim.co.uk/collections/womens

Tall friends want bigger size lady’s shoes.

This is exactly my experience too.

Long in the torso, combined with a larger bust is an absolute nightmare. Nothing is designed to fit my body shape.

Things that have a waist end up being empire line, anything that's means to be under bust ends up at the nipple if it's tops.

Tall gym/sports wear that isn't sodding black!! I'm 6'2, size 12 with a 37" inside leg.

Quick shout out to Primark - the 'separate' pj sets often have a longer inside leg, I have a couple where the bottoms actually hit my ankle.

I'm surprised you're missing loungewear and trackie tops/bottoms OP. They often seem to be the main thing that specialist retailers or tall sections offer, and unfortunately I have zero interest in them!

I'm not excited by ASOS or LTS either. ASOS stuff is too street for me, and LTS too catalogue-y.

I'm looking for clothes that are stylish, cool, on trend, and flattering to longer bodies.
Not tents or bodycon or wrap dresses or cold-shoulder tops...
Design that takes account of where our waists are, and how long the rise in trousers should be.
That does close-fitting things like waistcoats and cropped jumpers, but in a longer length.
That doesn't assume tall women just want maxis that hit the floor. My dream is to find a knee-length skirt that hits at just the right point, ie an inch or two below the knee (on me at 5'10", that's a 26" skirt length, 44" dress length). This makes me feel elegantly in proportion - rather than the proud owner of long legs who wants to emphasize them by draping them in acres of fabric!
That recognises that tall women want cropped trousers too, that hit that magic point just above the ankle.
I read that knee length and minis are coming into fashion. I know that no 'tall' retailer will produce garments that reflect this trend in a longer length. It would be so nice if someone did.
I'm sure I'll think of something else!

Tall (just) hourglass. I think it's the juxtaposition of these two traits that cause me most issues. Even that bloody kibbe body type thing doesn't seem to accept that it's possible to be both of these things!!

Whilst I'd love long enough trousers, I have had to let go of caring about leg length (gratefully embracing the current sock fashion) because it's all about high enough rise for me. Trousers only work on me if the waist is where my actual waist is, which is very high up. Very few retailers offer this. Uniqlo and Oliver bonas are good but the latter has ridiculously short legs.

I also want dresses with enough space for my bust, vertically as well as horizontally! I can't stand empire line! And dungarees, jumpsuits and bra sized swimwear with long enough torsos.

I would like it if they didn’t assume that just because we’re tall that we’re slim hipped. I’m not. I’m very pear shaped.

I am the same height, but I'm all torso. So I want long sleeves which are long, waistswhich are my waist and not under my bust and longer "short" skirts and tunics. I saw a lovely dress the other day which wouldn't have covered my bum.

I’m 5ft9, with long legs, long arms & a more average upper body. . My issue is that with longer leg ranges, the waist is way too long & the waistband comes up to my boobs! I just need longer legs in trousers/jeans/skirts.

I could not agree more with this! Fellow long torso here, its sleeves and the bust line that are always too short. Especially with a big bust (34GG). Tops are NEVER cut for this. The waistline needs to be a lot lower, any shaped top just looks like it's empire line.

Well it's a 35" inseam that is perfect for me but I also want an extra inch of two above the waist and a longer sleeve length. I'm 5 9 btw

What really pisses me off is that longer leg length and arm length is often linked to dress size. I'm a 10 but by what logic is someone taking a size 16 taller than me?

As for LTS I gave up on them years ago, The shape of the trousers does not allow for anyone actually woman shaped. If I bought a size to fit my hips then it was miles too big around the waist. They are not the only offender but at the time they were literally the only place selling trousers with enough leg length. I still don't have a nice pair of formal black trousers in a decent fabric so if anyone here knows of any then please let me know!

I can only dream of finding a jumpsuit to fit.

My main problem at the moment is boots. I would love some knee length ones but none are actually long enough. Most I can't even do up as the point at which they curve in and narrow under the knee is far too low and hits the widest point of my calf.

TIGHTS for slim tall women

I’m tall but it’s in the body sadly, rather than my very average length legs. Tops are always really short on me.

I also have stupidly dainty feet (size 3) that don’t go with the rest of me.

Yes! I have less issues now I am older and fatter, but tights were a nightmare when I was younger.

Hi I am also 5’9” with an hour glass figure, with trousers it’s getting a little easier finding 31” leg. Swimsuits I find that Fantasie do good lengths with cups in bra sizes. Cardigans, jumpers and t shirts I need at least a 27” length depending on style this is a big problem. It’s difficult also to find nice fabrics that don’t bobble, crease and need ironing. I would love some nice “grown up” long legged pyjamas in darker shades with no twee logos, something like dark blue with a white polka dot and piping that you wouldn’t be ashamed to be seen in. Classic clothes are tops for me every time.

long Length pj’s
tracksuit/jogger bottoms (matching jumper too with longer arms!)
jumpsuits
jumpers with longer arms

and make things their actual length! I’m 33 leg sometimes 34 but yet I can buy L length in shops and they’re 35 🤯 just fries my brain. Mark the items with what they are to help!

I’m not a giant, I’m just less than 5.9 but I have long arms and legs!

good luck if you decide to continue this dream of yours 🥰

This is a great idea, and really hope it works out for you.
i am tall in all areas.
my ideal clothing line would have
-long pyjamas that reach my ankles, but also long short pyjamas that my bottom doesn’t come out of!
-I would love jumpers and tops to go past my waist line without needing a vest to lengthen, and would love sleeves that reach my hands.
-Also, fitted tops with those ticks by the breast, they also need to cater for tall people, the amount of tucks that are by my armpit (but I also have large breasts as well, so that might be my problem.)
-I think staples are needed but with some statement pieces that could be worn with the staples.

I want longer tops and longer tops on dresses. I usually find what I need at Long Tall Sally for tops and dresses and Next or M&S for jeans, trousers and skirts.
I'm 5'8" with long legs, but find many tops too short.

Tops and jumpers that go beyond the waist band. And more importantly sleeves that actually come to my wrists.

Fitted tops, coats and jackets with the waist at my waist, not empire line. Larger shoes in half sizes eg 7.5 or 8.5. M&S used to be great for half sizes and they stopped doing them. Knee high boots that are long enough. Swimsuits with that are long enough in the bust area.

Trousers that come in one inch increments, rather than two inch. At 33" inside leg, I don't want 32 or 34.
Longer body and arms in tops. Necklines and buttons also adjusted to allow for longer torso (e.g. so the V on a V-neck sits where it should).
A greater selection of footwear in size 9 and above.
And socks for bigger female feet! Been wearing mens' socks all my adult life!

I've been trying out LTS a bit, this year. Quality, design, and materials are disappointing, but worse, their customer service is abysmal when things go wrong (multiple times), and THAT is what will stop me buying from them again.

I'm only 5'7 but it's all torso so have to wear from the tall ranges in tops. Long sleeves and longline everything basically. I've noticed with the pyjamas that the legs are super long but the tops are just too short in the body. Bloody irritating 😠