Non-boring clothes for tall bodies (women or gender neutral)
August 13, 2023 11:26 AM Subscribe
It's been years since I bought work clothes and my wardrobe could use some refreshing. My chief challenge is my legs and arms are long. But even my torso benefits from tall sizes. The usual options tend to be either boring basics or too stereotypically feminine for my tastes. Options? (more details inside)
I'm 5'10" and when standing next to my same-height partner, my waist is a few inches above his - so it's fair to say my inseam is more akin to someone who is 6' or taller. I can get away with 34" (the standard for women's tall sizes) but my ideal inseam is 36-37" and for shorts, anything less than 5" is way too revealing - 6" lands on my mid thighs, 8" is still above my knees. I find tall tops fit me somewhat better, but it's really only a dealbreaker with long sleeves - my arms are unusually long, so much so that a doctor flagged me to be screened for Marfan's syndrome.
The GAP/Old Navy/Banana Republic brands are fine for buying basics, but I find their clothes to be either kinda boring or too feminine - I don't like most floral prints or things like frills, etc. In the past, I've made these less boring by combining with thrift store finds, but I'm wondering if their are less time-intensive options out there..
I thought some of the newer gender-neutral brands might be the answer, but they don't seem to do tall sizes? For example, I love the look of a lot of Big Bud Press' clothing, but their inseam for their jumpsuits is 29" and their pants seem to range from 28"-31" - way, way, too short. Likewise, generally like the look of WildFang clothing, but their pants are 29.5" inseams.
Anyway, it doesn't have to be a gender-neutral clothing company, but I find I do tend to like their look - I enjoy clothes that have saturated colors and/or interesting prints.
I'm 5'10" and when standing next to my same-height partner, my waist is a few inches above his - so it's fair to say my inseam is more akin to someone who is 6' or taller. I can get away with 34" (the standard for women's tall sizes) but my ideal inseam is 36-37" and for shorts, anything less than 5" is way too revealing - 6" lands on my mid thighs, 8" is still above my knees. I find tall tops fit me somewhat better, but it's really only a dealbreaker with long sleeves - my arms are unusually long, so much so that a doctor flagged me to be screened for Marfan's syndrome.
The GAP/Old Navy/Banana Republic brands are fine for buying basics, but I find their clothes to be either kinda boring or too feminine - I don't like most floral prints or things like frills, etc. In the past, I've made these less boring by combining with thrift store finds, but I'm wondering if their are less time-intensive options out there..
I thought some of the newer gender-neutral brands might be the answer, but they don't seem to do tall sizes? For example, I love the look of a lot of Big Bud Press' clothing, but their inseam for their jumpsuits is 29" and their pants seem to range from 28"-31" - way, way, too short. Likewise, generally like the look of WildFang clothing, but their pants are 29.5" inseams.
Anyway, it doesn't have to be a gender-neutral clothing company, but I find I do tend to like their look - I enjoy clothes that have saturated colors and/or interesting prints.
A tall friend of mine (6’2”) really loves Long Tall Sally. They carry pants (jeans and trousers) with inseams of 36-37”. She likes non-stereotypically feminine looks and finds there’s plenty at LTS that caters to that taste.
They give discounts if you are a health care worker, a student, or a recent (within 5 years) graduate.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:36 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
They give discounts if you are a health care worker, a student, or a recent (within 5 years) graduate.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:36 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Watch Liz Seifert on Youtube and other media channels. She's a 6 ft tall model and she loves to show off tall fashion finds.
posted by kschang at 7:36 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by kschang at 7:36 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
I identify as female and I have a 36-in inseam. I completely understand the struggle. I have had. good luck with a brand called American Tall. as well as ASOS has a tall section, but they can be really hit or miss in terms of quality, particularly because they have many brands that they're selling. but for me it has been worth it because their tall section is actually tall, and it offers 36 and even 38-in inseam. the athleta tall section has actually been helpful to me as well. And finally surprisingly Djerf Avenue has very generous tall sizes and I have been able to get suits from there. I cannot speak about the ethical qualities or the sustainabilities of these brands. that is important to me, but sometimes it can just be so hard to find a pair of pants
posted by afterdark at 9:08 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by afterdark at 9:08 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
I can’t say my wardrobe is particularly exciting, but I’m 6 foot tall and have had luck here in the past couple years:
- American Tall for comfy pants (colorful joggers that actually reach my ankles!)
- Duluth Trading Company for outside pants (now including fun overalls in long sizes!)
- LL Bean for fleece and flannel tops in size tall (longer sleeves than Patagonia!)
- Athleta for leggings in size tall
- Zuri for fun Kenyan print dresses in size long
I used to rely on Eddie Bauer and Lands End tall sizes but don’t really vibe with their style now that I’m working remotely and don’t need workplace casual stuff. Boden used to be OK for work dresses, but the long sleeves were never long enough and the torso length was hit or miss. They do have some fun print stuff for casual dresses, though.
posted by Maarika at 11:20 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
- American Tall for comfy pants (colorful joggers that actually reach my ankles!)
- Duluth Trading Company for outside pants (now including fun overalls in long sizes!)
- LL Bean for fleece and flannel tops in size tall (longer sleeves than Patagonia!)
- Athleta for leggings in size tall
- Zuri for fun Kenyan print dresses in size long
I used to rely on Eddie Bauer and Lands End tall sizes but don’t really vibe with their style now that I’m working remotely and don’t need workplace casual stuff. Boden used to be OK for work dresses, but the long sleeves were never long enough and the torso length was hit or miss. They do have some fun print stuff for casual dresses, though.
posted by Maarika at 11:20 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
Alloy Apparel: 35" - 37" inseams, shirts with long sleeves, a cardigan with 25" sleeve
Simply Tall: wide-legged "sailor" jeans with 36" inseam, trousers with 37.5" inseam, bootcut jeans with 37" inseam, etc.
Tall section at Dorothy Perkins has some unfussy color-saturated tops, colorful coats
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:04 PM on August 14, 2023
Simply Tall: wide-legged "sailor" jeans with 36" inseam, trousers with 37.5" inseam, bootcut jeans with 37" inseam, etc.
Tall section at Dorothy Perkins has some unfussy color-saturated tops, colorful coats
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:04 PM on August 14, 2023
eShakti can customize inseam length on jeans and trousers & sleeve lengths on most items; you could choose bright colors, or abstract/graphic/other fun non-floral print (fox fabrics, owl), on a clean-lined top. Customization also allows for changing shirt length, and neckline and sleeve alterations.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:22 PM on August 14, 2023
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:22 PM on August 14, 2023
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posted by pollytropos at 1:37 PM on August 13, 2023 [1 favorite]