Ask Styledash: I'm really tall and curvy -- what should I wear?

| Posted Mar 7th 2008 1:27PM by Kristen Seymour
Filed under: Casual wear, Ask Styledash, Plus Sizes

After a recent post on how to flatter various figures, I received comments from two girls with the same issues -- they're quite tall (about six feet tall), and curvy, but not overweight.

At about 5'8" with broad shoulders, I run into issues with fit, often having to find long lengths in pants or letting hems out when long lengths aren't offered, and sometimes having to go up a size in jackets to accommodate my shoulders. These girls have it worse because they'll run into problems like that nearly every time they go shopping.


For girls in this predicament, I offer the following advice:

1. Even though it's frustrating, you must try things on. Don't try on one style of pants in a store and give up hope. Ask a salesperson for long lengths and for pants with a substantial hem at the bottom that can be let out.
   
   
2. Find a tailor and use them. A good tailor might be your new best friend. Search for tops and dresses that are long enough for your torso and large enough to fit you in your widest areas. Then, take these items to a tailor to have them altered to fit better at your waist.
   
   
3. And, along these lines, don't be afraid of plus sized tops if they fit your shoulders and bust. Sizes really aren't standard, so I'd rather you find something that fits you well than find a size 8 or 10 that will button.
   
   
4. Don't settle for pants that are almost long enough. If the hem doesn't fall properly, don't buy the pants. If they're too short, you'll look like a tall girl who has outgrown her pants.
   
   
5. Choose jackets and coats with a belt. A wrap will show off your hourglass figure (just make sure you're not baring too much up top), as will a belted jacket. Avoid sweaters and jackets that are big and bulky and only go out from the bust (like this one), as they'll make you look larger than you are.
   
   
6. If you find a store or a brand that fits, keep shopping with them. It will be so much easier for you to shop when you have a few places that offer clothing better suited to your size. I have a boutique here in town that makes a point to order fabulous clothing in larger sizes, unlike many other boutiques, and it's fantastic.
   
   
7. This goes for shoes, too. Often, it's easier to find shoes in larger sizes online. Find out where those brands are sold, make a point to try on a few in your size, and if you find them to be consistent, you might be able to order shoes online (but make sure they have a good return policy!).
   
   
8. Find your basics and add on from there. Getting dressed in the morning will be so much easier if you have a few items that always look great, like nice jeans and a long tank and sweater combo. You can add some trendy accessories to look a little funkier without sacrificing fit.

A few places you might want to try shopping are:

• The Tall Girl Shop, which sells only clothes geared for tall girls. They offer pants in a Junior and Regular fit -- the Junior fit is a little slimmer through the hip and the Regular has a fuller cut for curvier women.
  
  
• Long Legs, a company started by two women who want you to embrace your height through really fabulous fashion. They offer high-end denim by Rock & Republic and SEVEN for All Mankind as well as beautiful tops and accessories.
  
  
• Lucky Brand Jeans, available at Lucky stores and elsewhere, offer inseams up to 36", although the sizes only go up to a 14, which won't work for everyone.

You don't want to shop in the trendy, teeny-bopper shops -- you won't find the length or the fit, and most of those items aren't of a quality you'd even want to bother tailoring. Look for good quality pieces -- you don't need to spend $250 on a blouse, but $80 or $100 on something that fits and makes you feel beautiful is going to do a lot more for you than a bunch of tops that will hang in your closet because they aren't long enough. Good luck!

Tags: advice, busty, curvy, figure, fit, flatter, help, hourglass, how-to, plus-size, question, tall