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Original poster

Calling tall ladies!

63 replies

MyChildDoesntNeedSleep · 21/09/2011 18:31

What type of shoes do you wear when you're wearing a nice dress for a night out?

At almost 5'10 I hate shopping for shoes as I can't wear heels (well, I COULD, but I feel so self-concious). I tend not to wear dresses for this reason Sad.

I'm not fussy, just black shoes that'll look nice with a little black dress, preferably no strap across the ankle and a low-ish heel.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
MyChildDoesntNeedSleep · 25/09/2011 00:03

In case anybody needs any further inspiration, I found this discussion on tall girls and heels. There's loads of Yahoo answers questions on the subject too. Bloody hell, when you think about it it's pretty stupid to let other people dictate what you wear, isn't it? And to have to go to the extent of Googling people's opinions Blush.

I've been practicing in a pair of heeled boots I bought last year. They're about 3 inches and I wore them loads last year when I'd overhauled my wardrobe and was feeling fab and like a fashionista. I remember feeling like the centre of attention everywhere I went and then hated being in flat shoes because I didn't stand out as much. I dug them out today and felt like a model everywhere I went! No more trying to blend into the crowd for me! Grin

OP posts:
nooka · 25/09/2011 00:22

I am (quite) tall and proud, but I never wear heels. Surely one of the advantages of being tall is that don't have to wear heels? I am 5'10" and dh is 6'5" so no problem there, but I like to think I stand out as I am, and heels are bloody uncomfortable (plus I can't walk fast in them, am more likely to fall over etc etc).

Wear heels if you like the look/feel, but don't feel that you can't look good aren't feminine if you choose to wear flats.

Original poster
MyChildDoesntNeedSleep · 25/09/2011 00:51

Yes, that's the other side of the coin nooka, but we're discussing feeling like you can't wear heels when you want to.

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SlinkingOutsideInSocks · 25/09/2011 01:03

Yes, agree, I think the point is that everyone here wants to wear them, and feels like there's a mahoosive range of shoes out there to be missing out on by not wearing them!

As I say, I certainly don't live in them, but I love to wear them when the feeling arises.

Admittedly, I live in a country populated by Amazonians, so it's not so noticeable being a tall woman here. When I lived in the UK I 'felt' my tallness a great deal of the time (especially when I first arrived) - in any given situation, waiting to be served at a bar, queuing for something - I'd pretty much always be the tallest person, out of men and women.

peasandlove · 25/09/2011 01:04

that's the thing though isnt it, there's only a limited range of flat shoes and boots that are nice.

peasandlove · 25/09/2011 01:05

are you in The Netherlands SOIS? I feel decidedly average in height over there :)

callmeovercautious · 25/09/2011 01:11

This is so wierd! I am 5' 11" and have been wearing heels again recently (I stopped 5 years ago when PG). I feel so much better in heels - more confident and feminine! A friend actually told me the other day how much more confident I looked - she even did an impression of me. Basically in flats I slouch along but apparently in heels I strut Grin
I also have a Party to go to soon and NEED black shoes to wear - I was thinking Kitten heels but maybe now I should go for some stunners Grin

SlinkingOutsideInSocks · 25/09/2011 02:31

I'm in NZ. But yes, I believe the Dutch are on the tall side as well. Grin

Fatshionista · 25/09/2011 02:45

I'm 5ft10in and I either wear plain black ballet flats or high platform and stiletto heels. Go big or go home is my motto - litten heels are not attractive and make even tall women look stumpy and frumpy.

peasandlove · 25/09/2011 03:01

SOIS, I'm in NZ too, but I'm still tall compared to most :)

nooka · 25/09/2011 04:35

Oh I totally agree peasandlove. Why aren't there more nice shoes that are also comfortable, non damaging and don't restrict movement? I think this is because women have been somewhat persuaded that heels are almost compulsory. I can understand why shorter ladies might want the extra height, but as a taller person I have never felt the need. Doesn't mean I don't want to wear funky shoes on occasion though. Just not with heels.

dubaipieeye · 25/09/2011 05:02

thegrassisjewelled I have those Monsoon shoes (am 6ft) - the are fab and really comfortable.

Chandon · 25/09/2011 07:57

Aaaaah, am 6ft 1 and in my 20s used to wear heals a lot.

All people would say is "you are tall!" or "are you a model" (Hmmyeah right Grin ).

Now almost 40 and my back is rubbish, so no more high heels. I just wear smart shoes with a small heel (hard to find some that are not old lady-ish!). I have some great ones by "hispanitas" at Shoon.

WhollyGhost · 25/09/2011 08:21

IME there is very little relationship between the height of the heel and the comfort of the shoe. I find flat shoes are generally v. uncomfortable and unsupportive. Maybe it partly depends on how wide your foot is - for some peculiar reason all flat shoes seem to be made for wide feet and heels for narrow ones.

High heels can be comfortable - so long as you don't intend to walk miles in them. It depends on the shoe itself - and some of my most comfortable pairs have been cheap.

madammecholet · 25/09/2011 08:24

I'm 5'9 and wear heeled boots and am never seen without 6" killer heels on a night out...my current obsession is leopard heels, need to save for a lifetime though

embrace embrace embrace!

IwoulddoPachacuti · 25/09/2011 08:49

I'm 5'10 and love my heels! Being tall is brilliant Smile

TheGrassIsJewelled · 25/09/2011 09:42

I'm now torn between the monsoon ones I linked to before (esp if they're comfy dubai, and these reiss ones. Help me decide!

LOVE the leopard ones, cholet - not only cos they make the Reiss ones look cheap ; 0

Thanks for such a great thread child (I have one that doesn't need sleep either...).

Original poster
MyChildDoesntNeedSleep · 25/09/2011 12:33

You're right, Grass, it is a great thread. Thanks so much to all of you who have responded. I've found it really eye-opening and inspiring. It might sound dramatic, but when you've spent your life basically apologising for something that is a major part of you, it's quite liberating to be able to finally say 'this is me'.

My husband was half an inch shorter than me and always moaned if I had even the slightest heel. When people (almost always men) have commented on my height it's usually been in a 'you're making me feel inadequate' way, but I've always taken it in a 'you look like a freak' way.

Now I no longer need to worry about my husband's feelings so I'm going to rock the heels. If a man is intimidated by my height then he's not the man for me, so it's a great screening aid! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
MyChildDoesntNeedSleep · 25/09/2011 12:40

Grass how tall are you?

Madammecholet those leopard heels are gorgeous

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TheGrassIsJewelled · 25/09/2011 12:53

I'm 5'10 and a half!
DH is about the same, but seems to be happy about my new love of heels, despite a 'but you'll be taller than me!' comment.
ExP was about 5'8 and a complete control freak. Obviously he wouldn't have liked this new fashion lust of mine! I could have written your post below, child - feel exactly the same.
All new tall ladies with heels will have to update the thread when we have successfully and glamourously worn our heels out!

WhollyGhost · 25/09/2011 12:59

Long legs and long feet mean that tall women can generally walk well in heels

I remember when Nicole Kidman had just divorced Tom Cruise and was asked for a statement, she said "now I can wear high heels" Grin

nooka · 25/09/2011 20:09

Don't you mean big feet Grin WhollyGhost you are quite right, completely flat shoes are also uncomfortable/bad for you. I've been told that about 1-2cm lift is the best. I also have very high arches (ballerina's feet, but not the body lol) so need very well fitting/supportive shoes, and they are very hard to find. I can wear heels in boots (no choice there really) but still feel very precarious - I like to think I can walk for miles in all my shoes.

MyChild I'm sorry that you've been made to feel awkward about your height. I love being tall, and have no problem being intimidating if I so choose. But then my only criteria on picking a boyfriend at university was height (highly shallow I was!) and once I was with dh I stopped feeling so tall. My dd (11) is just transitioning from feeling great about being the tallest to feeling anxious about being tall, so I'll be giving her lots of support to stand proud. In fact I was wondering whether once the whole of my family overshoot me (both ds and dd are likely to go well over 6 foot) I might be more inclined to add an inch of two Grin

Original poster
MyChildDoesntNeedSleep · 02/10/2011 20:40

I wore my heels on my night out on Friday coupled with a short dress and felt a million dollars! I had compliments all night and was absolutely bursting with confidence. I can't remember a night out where I have had so much attention! I didn't feel too tall at all! Halfway through the night one of my friends looked down at my feet and said:"OMG, you're wearing heels!", so obviously I couldn't have looked freakishly tall, or she would have noticed earlier.

I had one guy ask if I was an athlete, to which I replied: "Why... are you saying I look butch?!" (I'm crap at flirting!) He said "No, obviously not...look at you!" So he didn't think I looked like a man in drag, then! Wink

I can't believe it's taken me all these years to get over myself! I'm going to consider these three inch heels as my starter heels. I can feel a new obsession coming on! Grin

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LadyClariceCannockMonty · 03/10/2011 11:24

I'm 5 foot 10 and DP is 5 foor 7 on a good day but I still wear heels sometimes. I can't go over about 3 inches and still be comfortable though. But I made a determined effort years ago and got over my self-consciousness about being tall. Heels make your posture more striking and make legs look better, so embrace them I say!

Sounds as if your night out in heels went well anyway. Good for you! Smile

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 03/10/2011 11:24

5 foot 7, obviously.