The long and the tall of it 

 Chocolate silk strip dress £150 and silk shawl £40.Fashion editor Katy Evans takes a look at clothing for the taller lady, with collections for summer and into autumn. With the majority of retailers catering for the average 5'4” figure, buying clothes that fit can be a difficult and frustrating task if you're taller than the norm. But help is on hand from a nationwide brand, with stores in East Anglia, catering for the clothing needs of women 5'7” and above.

 Long Tall Sally was founded more than 30 years ago by Judy Rich, who at 6'1” herself struggled to find clothes that fitted. After leaving America and coming to what she believed was the fashion capital of the world - London - Judy found she had great difficulty putting together even a basic, feminine, wardrobe. And that's how Long Tall Sally came about - a fashion shop started by a tall woman for tall women. That was back in 1975. The company now has 33 stores throughout the UK and Long Tall Sally continues to be the number one choice for tall women. 

Attention is paid to the cut and fit of the garments, which means not just adding a couple of inches onto hems and cuffs but carefully designing and proportioning clothing to fit the taller figure. Long Tall Sally aims to provide timeless classics, from casual wear to occasion wear, including tailoring, jeans, swimwear, eveningwear, nightwear, leisurewear, and co-ordinated shoes and accessories. Sizes are available in 10-20, with 34”, 36” and 38” leg lengths available on selected styles. Shoes are available in sizes 7-11. 

This summer is all about mixing ethnic and preppy styles with casual pieces for long summer days. Long-line linen skirts, tunic tops and blouses come in fresh, fruity colours from lemon yellow to orange and raspberry pink, with a helping of denim for good measure. Think glamorous sub-urban housewife in crisp white and summer fresh colours, with a dash of red. A-line skirts, clinched waists and sassy shirts, reminiscent of 50s styling, give this look its retro edge. Or embrace psychedelic 70s patterns in everything from aqua tones, to rich sunset shades and simple monochrome. Flowing maxi dresses and tunic tops make this look a cool, flattering option for summer. Another trend is American prep meets indie chic. This collection is all about wearability, with smart city shorts, denims and easy Ts. Block colours, bold prints and fluid shapes keep this look simple and cool. Dresses are all the rage, with flirty styles to celebrate curves and femininity. Deep colours and floral prints make these sultry summer pieces ideal for work or play. Keep it simple in black and white, especially with this season's top item - the maxi dress. Stay looking good on the beach or at the poolside in smart two pieces, sassy shorts and sleek kaftans in bold floral prints and 70s styling in shimmering aquamarines, and rich browns. And accessorize with oversized totes, chunky beads and shimmering sandals in the season's must-have metallics. 

Each year, Long Tall Sally launches eight collections, meaning taller women can build up a stylish top-to-toe wardrobe. The Autumn collection, which is soon to hit the shops, features waist cinching pencil skirts, cropped swing jackets and sleek tailoring, perfect for the office; sack dresses, straight-legged trousers and biker jackets to re-create the mod-look; wide-leg trousers and tunic dresses in monochrome and grey tones; voluminous tops and dresses teemed with straight leg trousers in sheers and satin fabrics; and soft jerseys and lightweight knitwear in palettes of rich blues, smoky violets and serene greens. So if you're a longer lady, there's no need to stoop - it's time to walk tall, and look good doing it.