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Long body fashion woes

52 replies

cherrypiepie · 17/04/2021 19:41

Does anyone else have a long torso and short legs I.e disproportionately long body?

I'm 5'6 and regular dungarees /body's/ swimwear one pieces never fits. I'm also size 16/18 so never sure if it's just that I'm too plump In The middle.

Is the solution to buy from the tall range? What styles suit the plump,
long of torso, short legged folks?

I bought a lovely linen romper today but it isn't loose like it should be.

OP posts:
JeanClaudeVanDammit · 17/04/2021 19:46

I feel your pain. I’m 5’10” but most of my height is in my body, my legs are only average. I don’t really know what suits, usually end up wearing dresses from tall ranges or the longest tops I can find. Jumpsuits, bodies and playsuits are a complete no-go and I really struggle with one-piece swimsuits, even longer length ones aren’t really long enough so the boob support is too low down. No advice really, just sympathy!

habibihabibi · 17/04/2021 19:56

Often, and I am talking to you Boden, the tall range is just a bit longer. There is no increase in the proportions .dor me that means waists with mos likely be empire when they arent supposed to be . The USA is better though. J Crew particularly.

cherrypiepie · 17/04/2021 21:00

@JeanClaudeVanDammit exactly that with the swimsuit! I'm actually really pleased that you posited I feel less alone and that is it is not just me.

I do wear mainly dresses and skirts as jeans are also a nightmare.

I need a new swim suit so will have a look for 'tall' one.

I suppose @habibihabibi that the tall range maybe assumes people with longer legs. Which makes it futile for those long of torso.

OP posts:
TheTestOfTime · 17/04/2021 21:17

I’m like this but 5 ft 7, with a size 8-10 top half and 12-14 bottom half, and “sturdy” calves 😀 It’s almost like the two halves of my body don’t match and it took me until recently to realise that tall range tops and standard bottoms fit me best and emphasise my bottom half less. I find tall range tops pretty limited though.

clary · 17/04/2021 21:24

Yes I have this too OP.

Swimwear is a real pain and I wouldn't even try dungarees.

Trousers are always way too long even tho, like you, I am not short at 5ft 6. Also tables in restaurants are always too low and I sit with my back all bent :(

I recall once being at DH's physio appointment and the physio saw me and said, oh, I see you have a long body. Sigh. Yes I do.

molojoko · 17/04/2021 21:27

You just can't wear anything with a body so honestly just forget about it. Swimming costumes, dungarees, jumpsuits, waisted dresses (except drop waist, which might reach your normal waist). Write them all off and go about your life! Tall ranges are really just for legs. I have tried all the tall ranges for swimming cossies and the only thing I can fit in is tankinis. People are sniffy about them on here but personally I prefer swimming without a permanent wedgie and extreme risk of popping out the top.

I buy silk shift dresses off eBay when I see them and wear them as tops. Also buy those stretchy jersey mini dresses and wear them as vests, then a normal top over. Mens t-shirts all the way -- they have the length.

On the plus side, high waisted bottoms are everywhere now. They won't reach your actual waist, but you might enclose your lower tum in fabric!

BikeRunSki · 17/04/2021 21:34

Me!!!!

5’8”, pretty average 31” inside legs. Size 14/16. Huge calves. Enormous feet (9/43). No part of me is easy to dress!

I swim several times a week (pool and outdoor). I just bought this swimsuit speculatively from Sainsbury’s and it is plenty long enough, with length to spare!!Swimsuit

For tops I try and buy from Tall ranges, although Gap do very little in Tall now (used to be almost everything) and LTS is not what it was! I wish “long” size options in tops were as usual as in trousers. And YY to “tall” dresses being badly proportioned. Waistlines tend to site just under my boobs!

cherrypiepie · 17/04/2021 22:00

Ahh thanks everyone I feel better now - retuning swimsuit 74- abs I really liked that romper I got today.

Most of the swimsuits I tried made me look like 'big daddy' from 80s wrestling as they came in under the bust. Definitely not for the public swimming pool. 

I actually bought a lovely (my first) maxi skirt today and it sits on my waist an creates the illusion of long legs and a normal proportion!

I'm going to check out the swimsuit.

I really feel for you @clary with the tables - so annoying.

@BikeRunSki I have solid calf and and canklea, with weirdly shaped size six feet so no loafer or fixed strapped sandal will fit-

OP posts:
ZednotZee · 17/04/2021 22:03

Eyeing you all enviously.

I would love a long torso, my inseam is 38" and I look like a blob with boobs, on sticks.

dudsville · 17/04/2021 22:08

Dungarees and jumpsuits are the things I miss out on. I'm only 5'7" but am slightly longer in body so when I sit the dungarees or jumpsuits ride up. It took me ages to measure myself and realise this was the problem. I have one successful pair, had actual, I've since put on too many corona pounds.

tomatoplantproject · 17/04/2021 22:14

Me!! I really struggle to find dresses, jumpsuits, dungarees, decent length shirts. 5'9" but would be about 5'6" if my back length matched my legs, hands, feet etc.

Hush do long vest tops. Hobbs dresses tend to fit. I find it easier to dress in separates but it's not easy.

soyabean · 17/04/2021 22:14

Landsend do some long body swimsuits. I just ordered this one and hope it will fit ok.
www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Chlorine_Resistant_Tugless_Swimsuit/pp/P_41009.html?cgid=11307&dwvar_P__41009_color=1CS

cheezy · 17/04/2021 22:22

My longline swimsuit from Boden has been pretty comfortable, but this was from a few years back.

BikeRunSki · 17/04/2021 22:44

@tomatoplantproject

Me!! I really struggle to find dresses, jumpsuits, dungarees, decent length shirts. 5'9" but would be about 5'6" if my back length matched my legs, hands, feet etc.

Hush do long vest tops. Hobbs dresses tend to fit. I find it easier to dress in separates but it's not easy.

I had a bike frame built for me once as my proportions are so non-standard. The frame builder told me that if my legs matched my back I’d be 6’, and if my back matched my legs I’d be 5’5-6”.

The Lands End swimsuits are excellent, I have several and buy them in sales, but I’ve just sent back a Boden “tall” one for being too short in the body.

I have to wear overalls for work. They are huge to accommodate both bum and torso!

Tereseta · 17/04/2021 22:50

This is me too! I long to buy jumpsuits and non wedgie swimsuits. High waisted trousers and dresses as tops are my solution.

TableNiner · 17/04/2021 23:05

Another one here. I am about five foot four but have to buy short length jeans (28 inch) or get them shortened. I'm not exactly flexible but I have no problem touching my toes!

I also have a large bust so any kind of body or jumpsuit or dungarees is tricky.

Heels are quite good for balancing up but I don't like wearing them. Platform trainers maybe. Same with high waisted trousers. Would love long legs instead.

But people always think I'm taller than I am which I think is to do with my long body.

PickAChew · 17/04/2021 23:20

I'm like this, though I actually have longer legs than my dad!

Tall ranges don't work for me, as I have short arms to go with the short legs.

I find some brands generally better than others for length. Markses tops always tend to be too short. Seasalt generally fit well, though and, apart from the coat I've just sent back, their sleeves don't completely swamp me.

PickAChew · 17/04/2021 23:25

I'm only 5'4, BTW. I make a lot of my own clothes and often have to add length to the body or the rise of pants but take a couple of inches off legs and sleeves.

WithASpider · 18/04/2021 00:11

Dd2 is 5' 9.5" and has inherited a long body off my mum and long legs from me. She's all boobs and no hips too so bloody awful to dress!

Thankfully even at 15 she'll wear whatever I buy, it would be a nightmare if she was fashion obsessed.

Thighdentitycrisis · 18/04/2021 00:15

@BikeRunSki
Which swimsuit did you buy please?
Do Sainsbury’s do a long range or was it in the off chance?

TheBullfinch · 18/04/2021 00:31

I'd love a long body.

Mine's so short, my waist is 2" below my tits, then I have high hips, so a massive trunk, then gangly ling legs. Like a box on stilts.

All belted waist dresses have to be altered as they sit on my hips.

WatchlistAndWaiting · 18/04/2021 00:57

Next say that they add length to the body as well as the sleeves and length for their tall range. Loads of swimsuits!

BikeRunSki · 18/04/2021 06:51

@Thighdentitycrisis

@Thighdentitycrisis, it was the “Classic Navy Swimsuit”. Sainsbury’s don’t do a tall range really, just some long options on some trousers. I bought it in the offchance and it is money very well spent. Fells like a lot more than £14!

Long body fashion woes
ShirtyGertie · 18/04/2021 07:00

I feel your pain - I'm 5ft 10 but average legs and a really long waist.

Just bought the Boden Corsica swimsuit in a 12L and it is great. Normally I have to buy a 14 or 16 in swimsuits to get the length.

The biggest problem for me is anything with a waistline - coats, dresses etc - always way to high on me and sits just under my boobs like an empire line - not flattering!

Halfhardy · 18/04/2021 07:31

I have found my people! SmileMy body is disproportionately long to the waist, short rise large bust, slim hips and thighs, chunky calves. Dresses are impossible, waisted styles are empire line, shift styles look terrible. I tend to wear tunic length tops with low rise jeans that sit on my waist so always need a belt. Nothing ever fits as it should. As a regular swimmer I echo the love for Lands End swimsuits.

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