Dressing Tall People

As I previously talked about short people, its only fair I take this week to discuss how to dress tall people.  While height is seen as an attractive feature for men, it is a somewhat confusing one for women.  On the one hand, models are tall, and tall women are seen as attractive in theory, while in reality tall women often feel unfeminine and undesirable to men, many of whom are shorter than they are.  When I look at tall women, I do not consider them intimidating; rather they strike me as strong and gracefully dignified.   As a tall person, you make a statement when you enter a room, simply by virtue of your height.  Instead of compensating for your powerful presence by trying to break up, or hide your height, embrace it.   

As a tall woman, you have a much more flexibility in how you can dress than women who share my tiny frame.  Many clothing styles require height to execute effectively.  Capris and full shin length skirts will look best on a body like yours because you can afford to cut your silhouette in interesting ways that would make shorter women look stubby.  Knee high boots will compliment your long legs without making them look short.  You can carry most of the looks that would break up or overwhelm smaller women.  This includes color blocking, which you can use to play up your best features by placing bright colors over your favorite areas.  

Here Suzette has an appropriately
proportioned print on her dress and shows off
the length of her legs by cutting off her torso
higher up with a bomber jacket.

The purple stripe down the middle allows
Suzette to show off the positive aspects of
her figure without loosing height.  Also note
the nude heels, because yes she has legs, and
yes they are worth showing off.

Large print patterns will suit you as well.  Horizontal stripes are great to wear on an ordinary day, but can also look classy under a matching blazer for business situations.  As you can carry large quantities of material without being overwhelmed, ruffles, wide legged pants, long flowing skirts and dresses, high low skirts, chunky belts, scarves, blazers, statement necklaces, and large handbags, are all things that will be appropriately sized for your body, and that you as a tall woman have the unique ability to wear well.  You will typically want to wear only one or two of these large attention-grabbing items at a time; otherwise you will look clownish and oddly proportioned. 

She can be sassy because she knows she can
wear ruffles without being overwhelmed.

Look at this strong tall lady. She isn't afraid of
pairing some excess fabric with skinny
jeans.

You also have the option of playing up your height.  For example, you probably have long legs, why not show them off.  Skinny jeans, and leggings, patterned or otherwise will show off your awesome legs.  Anything highwaisted will have a similar effect.  You can also show off your legs with a short skirt or dress.  Since you have a lot of skin to show, it is best to cover up your torso if you are wearing something short to maintain a look of class.  You can also show off a long neck with sweetheart necklines, or cowl necklines, which also work well because you can carry the excess material.  Finally do not fear high heels.  As I have said, you are already tall, there is no reason to fear being taller.  Heels will make your already good legs look even better, and help you make an even more dramatic statement with your presence on those occasions you feel like being noticed. 

This tree d definitely wishes it could wear patterned
pants like Jordan can.  Alas, it has no legs.

For tall men, many of the same rules apply to you as to tall women.  Your large physique allows you experiment with color and length more so than shorter men can.  As with tall women, you can wear bright colors, and even mix and pair different colors without looking awkward and stubby.  Interesting patterns, particularly horizontal stripes, are also a good option for you.  If your interesting pattern of choice is some sort of print, aim for larger prints.  You are big, so everything including the prints you wear should be scaled up accordingly. 

Casually rocking a 6 foot 7 inch frame with
horizontal stripes and slim cut jeans

A key thing to consider when dressing, is to show off your height without wandering into lanky territory.  You can achieve this by wearing straight or slim cut pants, these play up the length of your legs without making them look scrawny.   You can wear pants that end just above your ankle with bright socks.  This is a rather trendy thing to do, especially if you match your socks and your top, and it will counter any lankiness in your legs.  If you are into dropped crotch pants, or any of the more oddly proportioned pant styles currently on the market, your long legs are most suited to carry these looks, which would knock too much height off of shorter men.  You can wear shorts at or above the knees when it is warmer outside.  Shorts and pants should be mid-rise.  Adding a visible belt is always a good option as well.  If you are thin and tall polo shirts and layering (but not both at the same time), with the inner most layer tucked into your pants is a fashionable way to add bulk.  Crew and scoop neck shirts will also help maintain the look of width.  

Jordan can relax now because his bomber
jacket has evened out the proportions of
his long torso relative to his legs.

The kind of jacket that best suits you depends on your particular build.  If you have a longer torso, a bomber jacket that ends at the waist is the best option for you.  If you have longer legs, a double-breasted trench coat that reaches mid thigh will create balance in your proportions.  As always its important to find clothing that fits properly.  This as always, is the most important part of dressing well.

Remember, because of your height you make a statement wherever you go, you might as well have fun with it, and make it an interesting one.