Comments on: Sometimes being vertically blessed isn't such a blessing

Question: Sometimes being vertically blessed isn't such a blessing

hazelshade — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 08:57:11 -0800

Tall, female MeFites: where do you find buy pants?

I'm a tall-ish girl (5'8") and have a hell of a time finding pants that are long enough for me. Anthropologie, for example, has awesome pants but very few options that are appropriate non-shorties.

What American stores have a good selection of "tall" pants? Any recommendations for particular clothing lines/designers? I'm looking both for pants that are appropriate for work and casual pants -- willing to pay in the under-$200 range for slacks that will fit.

By: parmanparman

parmanparman — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:03:31 -0800

My SO (5'11") buys her at Brooks Brothers, which has a very good line for women. I love her choice of trousers, BTW.

By: AthenaPolias

AthenaPolias — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:06:21 -0800

I buy all of my jeans at the GAP, though it used to be a lot easier for me (at 5'9") there than it is now. Their long sizes were perfect for my height (keeping the extra long sizes for those around 6'0" solely to online sales), but now they've lengthened them so that the long lengths are absolutely *ridiculous* on me. I tend to be able to wear their regular length pants now, though those fluctuate a bit, so I have to take several pairs of the "same size" into the dressing room to find the pair that has the longest inseam. Frustrating, but I wear the jeans for several years afterwards.

But I'll be watching this thread really carefully - I'd love to buy pants somewhere else...!!

By: sulaine

sulaine — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:08:03 -0800

Banana Republic. I am 5'10" and their pants are always long enough and sometimes too long for me.

By: mygothlaundry

mygothlaundry — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:11:38 -0800

For cheap day to day stuff, my daughter (6') and I (5'10") have had good luck with Old Navy's long/tall stuff. I used to have some jeans from Long Elegant Legs that I loved and Eddie Bauer also has longs that work. Also, try mens' pants. I have a couple pairs that I found at the thrift store that I occasionally wear to work - it's great having the option of a 34" inseam right there. Forget Talbots, though, or Ann Taylor, or LL Bean, or J. Crew - I've never been able to find pants long enough at any of those places, unfortunately.

By: The corpse in the library

The corpse in the library — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:12:46 -0800

For casual, Old Navy, the Gap, and Banana Republic- - which are all owned by the same company -- are all good for us tall ladies. I favor Old Navy, just because they're cheaper. (I'm 5' 10" and their size 10s fit me perfectly.) I've also had good luck with Levi's.

By: decathecting

decathecting — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:20:00 -0800

New York & Company has some great pants in tall lengths. Also, Tall Girl has not only longer pants, but also shirts, coats, etc. with sleeves long enough to cover the wrists, if that's an issue for you. Also, I Nth the Old Navy suggestion. Most of the time, they don't have tall lengths in stores, but you can get them online.

You're not actually that tall, so I'm guessing that you probably just have unusually long legs for your height. If that's the case, try looking for tall pants with a medium or low rise, as that's likely not to overwhelm your torso.

By: wallaby

wallaby — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:27:07 -0800

I second NY & C. I have found that their pants are cut so long that occasionally a "tall" is too long for me! (I'm not super tall but am 75% leg.)

By: fusinski

fusinski — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:30:25 -0800

This thread is like a gold mine. :D

Why didn't I think of asking this question back when I was single?

By: CiaoMela

CiaoMela — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:34:01 -0800

I'm 5'9', and I've found that there are many more options these days than there were even a few years ago. For work pants, I find that J. Crew and Banana Republic both have "tall" sizes that fit. Sometimes they're even too long. A decent tailor will be able to remedy this for not too much money (hems are running me $12-$14 in Manhattan). The problem is that these stores may not stock the full range of tall sizes in the brick-and-mortar locations. If your size varies by brand, I'd suggest going to a store, trying on the pants you want to determine the correct size, then ordering the tall versions online.

I also just got a pair of Buffalo jeans (found them at Macy's) that I looove. They were a splurge (for me) at $108, but the inseams are 33 1/2', so I can wear them with a 2- or 3-inch heel, and they fit perfectly.

By: LoriFLA

LoriFLA — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:39:02 -0800

I am 5'10". I find long inseams at JCrew, Gap, Old Navy, JCPenney, and sometimes Target. I really like Worthington line at JC Penney for dressier pants. They hold up well.

I will echo tulaine and say sometimes JCrew, BR, and Gap are too long. I like to know the exact inseam number. Online retail sites are great for this.

By: designinpassion

designinpassion — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:48:57 -0800

I'm 5' 9"- I love Spiegel.com- they have tall size pants. I've been shopping with them for 20 years. My "freakishly" tall daughter (her opinion) shops at Alloy.com. They have exact inseam sizes, but a little too youthful for me (I'm 44). JCpenney.com has jeans, casual and career tall sizes.

By: phatkitten

phatkitten — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:51:37 -0800

I'm 5'9 and buy most of my long slacks/jeans from Express. Sometimes their regular-length Editor Pants will even be long enough to wear with heels -- but this is a crapshoot, especially since most of their styles are only available in one length.

By: tastybrains

tastybrains — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:52:51 -0800

My tall friend buys a lot of pants at Eddie Bauer, but I believe she orders most online to get the "Tall" sizes. I'll ask her if she has any other recommendations.

By: Green Eyed Monster

Green Eyed Monster — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:53:04 -0800

For jeans, I wear Levi's. I've also found pants at The Limited, New York and Co, and Old Navy.

By: Coffeemate

Coffeemate — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:57:09 -0800

6'0 here. I buy pants at Eddie Bauer and Land's End (they do free custom hemming in 1/4" increments). Eddie Bauer also has almost every shirt they sell available in tall sizes on their web site. Their wrinkle-resist dress shirts are beautiful and fit perfectly.

By: thehmsbeagle

thehmsbeagle — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:59:38 -0800

I'm 5'10", and I buy the "long" or "tall" version of pants from Old Navy and The Limited, etc. Many stores either stock tall sizes in store, or have them available if you order on-line. Also, even if your brick-and-mortar store doesn't stock your size, they can often get it from another store across town. (They won't offer up this knowledge, because it's a hassle for them, but they can quite often do it.)

Um, also, I sometimes rip out of the hems of regular-length pants and press the folds out. You end up with just the little overlocked edge, and on most pants it's not really noticeable. I know I shouldn't really do that, but quite often, "long" isn't long enough (particularly if I'm wearing anything but flats) and sometimes I just really like a pair of pants that ends at my ankles.

Also, I'm freakishly short-waisted, so I have to buy lower-rise versions or the waist ends up under my arms. I end up buying most of my pants from brands targeted toward trendy young consumers, because of this. Most pants for adult ladies just come up too freakin' high, even though they're appropriately long.

Because of the low-rise thing, I've occasionally found pants at places like (don't laugh) Wet Seal, Forever 21, and Delia's.

By: Lockjaw

Lockjaw — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:12:50 -0800

This thread IS like a gold mine! However, is there anyone here who is long in the rise, not in the leg, as I am? I'm not terribly tall (5' 8"); most pants are fine for leg length, but WAY too short in the rise -- and I mean ALL pants, not just the trendy, low-rise numbers. I have heard that J Jill has pants that are long in the leg. Eddie Bauer has good jeans, but I find their dress pants fit in a really unflattering way plus their non-wool fabric choice is truly creepy. I do like their tall-size shirts, though.

By: amyms

amyms — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:21:51 -0800

Seconding everyone who mentioned J.C. Penney... I'm 5'7, so I'm not "tall tall" but I have long legs, and J.C. Penney is one of the few places where I can always find an affordable selection of long inseams in stock.

By: jodic

jodic — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:56:31 -0800

I just want to pile onto the Eddie Bauer bandwagon. I'm a tall tall woman (6'5") and while their women's stuff is still too small/short for me, their tall men's clothes are a godsend.

By: infinityjinx

infinityjinx — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:17:53 -0800

This question was made for me. I am almost 5'10." My number one recommendation is a Spanish chain called Zara. The only Zaras in the U.S. are in New York City.

If you're not in NYC, get thee to a good department store (Bloomingdales) and shell out for a nice pair of Sevens, Rock 7 Republic, Citizens of Humanity, or People's Liberation. All the designer $100+ jeans/pants are cut verrrry long (sometimes too long - with 37+" inseams). Yes they are expensive, but think of it this way: you will wear them ALL THE TIME right? And they are built to last. That expensive dress you bought to wear to ONE wedding doesn't make any sense. Expensive designer pants that fit right, make you look amazing, and last - that makes sense.

But fine, I'll give you cheapies an option too. Alloy - Inseams up to 37".

You're welcome =)

By: scody

scody — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:33:38 -0800

I'm almost 5'10" and this drives me nuts (though I find it even worse trying to get shirts and jackets that have long enough sleeves and don't bind under my arm). Most of my jeans/pants are from the Gap, J. Crew, or Banana Republic. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to find that a couple of the styles at H&M are long enough -- they don't have a specific "long" or "tall" sizing, but apparently some styles are just cut with longer inseams.

Also, Boden has a tall option for pants/skirts -- I haven't bought anything from them, but another tall friend swears by them.

By: slyboots421

slyboots421 — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:50:52 -0800

I just wanted to nth the New York and Co. suggestion - I'm six feet tall and always have great luck with their "tall" length pants.
I'm glad I read this thread, now I have a few more places I can check out and be pleasantly surprised by!
Also, there's a chain here called Tall Girl and they specialize in all kinds of clothing for taller girls (clever name, right?) I'm not sure if they're all over the place, I'm in the Detroit area, but it's worth a shot!
Glad to know I'm not the only one who has this problem.... :)

By: BluGnu

BluGnu — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:57:19 -0800

I'm 5'10" and just bought some work pants from Dillard's called "Investments" that I love. They're almost too long and they're washable. I don't know if they're a store brand or not.

By: BluGnu

BluGnu — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:58:28 -0800

By work pants, I meant pants I wear to the office, not to mow the yard or anything.

By: k8t

k8t — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:36:26 -0800

J. Crew has 32" inseams.

By: trevyn

trevyn — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:14:14 -0800

FYI, there are Zara stores in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

I can second the designer jean path. I'm a 6'8" guy, and paradoxically, it is much easier to find extremely long women's jeans than extremely long men's jeans. It's the heel thing.

By: infinityjinx

infinityjinx — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:24:21 -0800

FYI, there are Zara stores in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

Ah, you're right. Back when I first started shopping at Zara I checked the store locator on their web site and the only ones listed were in NYC.

I'm happy. Zara is an awesome store especially for tall, thin women. Stuff just fits!

By: hazelshade

hazelshade — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:04:54 -0800

Oh, I am feeling the tall girl love. Thanks, all, for the responses.

By: hooper4

hooper4 — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:13:44 -0800

If you are looking for longer designer jeans, Paige Premium Denim jeans are VERY long. I think they have a 34 or 36 inch inseam, and most average height women need to get them tailored. I have decently long legs and I can only wear mine (untailored) with 3 or 4 inch high heels.

By: birdie birdington

birdie birdington — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:25:19 -0800

If you wouldn't feel silly wearing them (at 26 I don't yet) Alloy's sister company, Delias, has pants with an inseam up to 36" as well.

Buckle also has pants in long (33") and super long (35").

By: ilsa

ilsa — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:06:18 -0800

Same answer as for short woman pants: Land's End hems, and does inseams up to 36".

By: Count

Count — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:32:51 -0800

Lululemon athletica provides very functional, flattering and fashionable pants in a 35" inseam (and they provide free hemming for those who aren't so tall). They are expanding to the US and have a store locator on the website.

By: fshgrl

fshgrl — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 19:07:18 -0800

I wear a 36" inseam. In flats. In the US I only buy work pants from the Gap or Kenneth Cole pretty much, although I will try some of the suggestions here! For jeans the Gap and Lucky brand are the longest (I can wear 4" heels with some of them, they must be 38"+) but Topshop, Seven, some Levis and sometimes even Banana Republic fit me with flats. It's really hit or miss though in terms of the rise.

By: MadamM

MadamM — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 20:26:37 -0800

Just to add to the chorus, my mom is 5' 8" and she's been buying pants at NY&co for like 25 years.

By: nursegracer

nursegracer — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 21:27:11 -0800

I'm five ten with a very (35") long inseam. I second Paige, and also nominate some Chip and Peppers. I am in the evil size zone though: too tall for normal clothes, and a size 15/16, which is too large for "girls" size and too small for "plus" size. I have to rely mostly on designer jeans, because designers figure people who can afford their jeans can afford tailoring. Also, check out Yanuk and Joe's Jeans. All tend to be long (and nice!).
Oh, and I also have HUGE feet (size 12+). I use designershoes.com. They are amazing for women who have "unusual" sized feet, 8-16, all widths.

By: lorrer

lorrer — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 08:50:13 -0800

Tall Girl has a location in Tyson's Corner. I'm 5 foot 11 and live in NYC where they have another, slightly bigger location. I don't shop anywhere else for pants anymore. FYI they sell shoes too, but only in Canada!

By: ramenopres

ramenopres — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:26:01 -0800

A lot of stores have a tall option if you order through their website. For instance, American Eagle (I mention it only because I don't think anyone else has) will give you free shipping if you order at the store, and you can return the pants at any store if they don't work out.

Also nthing Tall Girl and NY&Co.