Designs for tall ladies

They may be called striking or imposing or impressive—but women who are over 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 meters) are, in whatever terms, considered tall. And as style columnist Miriam Silverberg has mentioned from her petite viewpoint, the clothes on the runway models do not necessarily compliment ladies with different body structure, whether short or tall.

There are optical rules that can make a person look taller or shorter, wider or slimmer, using colors and lines and silhouettes, but there can also be styles designed specifically for a certain height.

Some famous actresses and models who are 5 ft. 8 in. or over include Brooke Shields, Uma Thurman, Elle Macpherson, Geena Davis, Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Johnston, Brigitte Nielsen, and Nicole Kidman.

A retail company named Long Tall Sally, which specializes in clothes for tall women, pointed out in a press release that among the Oscar nominees this season, four women are 5 ft. 8 in. or taller.

-Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock (5’8”/1.72 m), “The Blind Side”
-Actress in a Supporting Role: Maggie Gyllenhaal (5’9”/1.74 m), “Crazy Heart”
-Actress in a Supporting Role: Mo’Nique (5’9”/1.74 m), “Precious”
-Directing and Best Picture: Kathryn Bigelow (5’11”/1.82 m), “The Hurt Locker”

With all eyes and cameras on these women during the awards ceremony, the outfits they wear will get much discussion. At this point in their careers, they each have the fame and finances to select the gown that looks best on them, and it makes a difference. They emerge from their limos looking graceful and elegant and more beautiful than ever before. Style matters, and putting resources into finding the right style pays off.

Another retailer, J. Jill, offers clothes that are designed based on proportion—different clothes styled to fit women from petite to tall so that each woman looks good. Shoppers can find instruction on the company’s Web site about how to take correct measurements so they know which size is the right fit.

Even in the days when people went to a dressmaker or tailor to have their clothes made, it took some effort to get clothes that looked good and fit well. It took some work to find a talented professional who would take into account the person’s size in putting together the outfit. The resulting clothes fit well, in length and proportion.

Now that people buy ready-made clothes, it might just take a little more work to find the right company that carries clothes to fit your style and body structure. But you will find it is worth the effort when you can feel comfortable and look good in whatever outfit you choose.