Where do you shop? Between tall and regular sizes! - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Where do you shop? Between tall and regular sizes!

Staysfit

Veteran

I am 5 feet 8.5 inches tall. Some people measure me as 5 feet 9 inches. I have a 33 inch inseam, a long torso, long neck, and long swimmers arms. Plus I am thin and take small sizes. If I size up clothing gets too wide for me and very expensive to tailor.

Basically I'm in the too tall for most regular sizes, and too short for the tall sizes. I have struggled finding stores to shop at, and brands that fit.

The best two are J Crew, and Athleta. It limits my range, and I am hoping that there are other experienced YLF shoppers who have had similar struggles that have found better resources?

Where do other "in-betweeners" shop?

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

So I am not slim, usually buying a size 14, so I suspect that that makes it a bit easier on me. So my suggestions may not be a huge amount of help, but:

Banana Republic tends to have taller options, especially online. Ann Taylor as well. I am a big fan of Eddie Bauer for jeans and their regular length is 33". Kut from the Kloth also runs long. Ann Taylor, and weirdly, Old Navy, both sell tall options online for dresses, jackets, shirts etc. which can be hard to find elsewhere. Boden does tall sizes in skirts and pants, and their talls aren't that super tall, again somewhere around 33". I find places like Long Tall Sally are too tall for me, but they might have some options in smaller sizes like you need.

unfrumped

Veteran

I was thinking AT also, but I think their tall sizes start at size 4, which would likely be too big. EB is potentially good for pants because many of the pants are by length (S-R-L), which I think go through all sizes, but I'm not sure.
For sweaters with long sleeves, you might be taking advantage of the over-th-hand sleeve trend, but use that for regular length on you!
I only have this problem with dresses--a dress might be long enough in "size 8" but not in my size.
I'm also wondering if you would do well in brands that just run very slim--to me, Theory pants run slim and straight--and then, some of those would be long enough unless you are wearing a heel. "Young persons' brands" often are cut straight and slim, so maybe other fabbers have some good ideas. Other pants options, more for warm weather though, might be to take advantage of the ankle pant trend so that you are not having to have an inseam that covers your footwear. Even then I'm sure some of those run short on you, but there is a lot of variation in the intended length amongst all the ankle, cropped. slim, pants.

Elly

Veteran

Gap and old navy are my favorites -- depending on the item and year I buy regular, long, tall, or extra tall. I like JCrew but I'm a bit curvy for some stuff and it is slight outside of my price range for casual, which is a lot of my life. I don't know that I face the same challenges though --- I'm a size 6 or medium in pants and stretch knits, and usually a size 10 or large in blouses, shirts, and jackets --- I have broad shoulders and a decent bust, slim waist and usually have to buy big and tailor, but my shoulders are broad and my behind is round so that works. For buisness stuff, NY&Co is a good resource for slacks and my button downs are from Victorias secret (plus they sell longs in all their loungewear).
I'm 5'9", wear a 34" inseam barefoot, and need a 35 or 36 with boots, which are my favorite shoes. My wingspan is 6'1".

Staysfit

Veteran

Unfrumped, you are right to think that AT runs large on me. I haven't been able to find talls in their clothes that fit. I still try AT because every once in a while I get lucky and something works. I have never tried Theory, and perhaps I should take a look.

Elly, it has been a while since I have tried anything at the Gap or Old Navy. I have been in the stores, but for my children, not myself. I will check them out and see if they have anything. II haven't tried NY&CO.

Laura, I haven't tried anything from Boden, but they send their catalogs regularly. I also haven't tried Kut from the Kloth. For whatever reason, I haven't had good luck with Eddie Bauer clothing in the fit department. The DH loves EB. Perhaps i should try again? I look at BR every time I'm in the mall. Their clothes almost never fit me properly, especially tops and dresses. Our local store doesn't carry tall sizes so I will look online.

These are helpful ideas everyone thanks! I look forward to trying them.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the suggestion to try Gap -- I have trouble getting pants long enough and I'm only 5'7". Good thing I almost never wear trousers, just jeans. Yes, all my height is in my legs. Oddly enough, petite tops can almost work for me if there is no sleeve length involved.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I'm also 5'7" with most of my length in my legs - I've had luck with Boden, especially their longer lengths! I'd check the measurement on each thing though, because some of their garments are already cut longer than the North American versions.

Mainly talking about dresses though, because that's what I wear

Runcarla

Veteran

Like Elly, and Janet my length is in my legs and I struggle getting PPL (perfect pants length). 5 ft 7.5 in 140 lbs, 34 in inseam. Short waisted! Size 8 bottoms, but 10 tops (another swimmer here) shoulders, no bust. Recent luck with Banana Republic and Lands' End mail order. Have been enjoying the rolled pants leg trend this summer.

You might be more narrow, but BR and LE might still suit.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I'm similar - 5'8", 34 in. inseam. Gap long lengths work well on me (long, not tall). Tall pant sizes don't work too well on me as I'm a bit short waisted. I also like J.Crew and BR. JCP sells tall size seamed pencil skirts that fit me very well.

Gigi

Veteran

I can't give any practical advice, being a shortie, but I am wondering if you could stop in at a Nordstrom (do you have one nearby?) and explain your problem to the salesperson. She might know of designers that are cut longer and slimmer, at least in the torso. (Bottoms would probably be tougher; I imagine you'll need honest-to-goodness tall inseams there.)

Staysfit

Veteran

Thanks again for all the great suggestions everyone!

Gigi, I wish there was a Nordstrom in Central New York. None anywhere near here. I get to go when I visit my family in Michigan a few times a year. I will try to remember to do this because it is such a great idea. The sales people are so helpful! (I usually end up in the shoe department though - I'm so bad about shoes, maybe because they are easy to find!)

Inge

(website)

In addition to J.Crew, Gap and Banana Republic, Paige Denim, Citizens of Humanity and Express might also work.
Paige and CoH have jeans with inseams of 34 and more.
Express Editor trousers in long have a 35 inseam, Columnist trousers a 33 inseam.

Staysfit

Veteran

Thanks Inge! I haven't tried any of those.

Does anyone know who makes tops, blazers and outerwear for my long swimmers arms. I didn't mention this before, but I weigh 127 pound, so I am quite small for my height. Clothes get wide quickly, but sleeves are short. My shoulders aren't too narrow because I lift weights and I really was a swimmer in High School and College. (It also paid the bills -teaching and coaching young people).

Karie

(website)

Veteran

We're very similar in height and weight, but I carry my weight in my mid-section and I'm all legs and don't wear tall sizes on top at all. In fact, I can sometimes wear a petite on top even if it has sleeves.

I know Gap makes some of their boyfriend fit blouses in talls, and Old Navy makes some button-downs in talls too. You probably won't find too much in their stores for tall size tops, I'd try on-line. I have found that tall size tops aren't just longer in length (body and arms), but they are bigger all over, so you might have to size down.

Elly

Veteran

GAP --- GAP -- GAP --- very small sizes in talls in tops-- you could also order from Long Tall Sally.

Staysfit

Veteran

Karie, I carry my weight in my legs and thighs, so my secondary body shape, if I have one would be a pear. I think that's the origin of my body shape confusion! It's been enlightening to think of myself as having a rectangular body shape.

My biggest fit issue with tops is sleeve length, and if the top is supposed to hit at the hip, overall length. Of course, if the sleeve length is good, the top often gets wide. I haven't tried petite sizes, but I bet they would work in sleeveless tops if they were long enough. The length issue is often an issue of only 1/2 inch.

I have limited experience trying tall size tops. I have only tried them in Athleta and J Crew. The Athleta fit perfectly in small tall. In fact I think I could be a fit model for that size it works so well for me. Too bad the clothes are more casual than I like for my everyday wear. They're ok for weekends and maybe travel, depending on my activities.

The J Crew tall tops are often wonky in some way. Usually they are large in the bustline, or they are too long and would require major alteration. I am going to take a look at Gap and Old Navy. If the fit isn't too bad, maybe a simple alteration would work. There is a good tailor in town that I use regularly.

Runcarla

Veteran

Huge fan of Danier for leather jackets--sleeves are l-o-n-g. ( I almost cried when I got my first jacket there.)

Sounds to me like you might have to make friends with a tailor or seamstress!

Staysfit

Veteran

I had never heard of Danier until Suz posted something about them yesterday. Good to know! I bookmarked their website.

Elly

Veteran

Staysfit--- although it isn't ideal, I encourage wearing high quality l/s tees like those sold at gap or j crew or james perse and fine sweaters from places like j crew, ice breaker, and banana republic under a favorite l/s blouse that isn't quite long enough--- even though I like a minimal look I don't mind the slim sleeves poking out to cover my wrists and you can always pick a v-neck in layer pieces to avoid visual clutter-- although I often layer with a crew because I'm busty and work with young people.

Anonymous

I'm not as tall as you, at 5'7, but a former swimmer here too, and have fairly long arms. Last month, I actually had to return a blouse to the Loft because the sleeves were too long and have never had a problem with their blouses being short. As for specific brands, I have to size up one size as a given in Ralph Lauren, but other than that, I find their cuts generous in length. For jeans, Kut from the Kloth runs relatively long for me.

Staysfit

Veteran

They have some Ralph Lauren at our local Lord and Taylor. I could easily try that.

Ella, I like the idea of using long sleeve tee under other items. I haven't done that much. I usually scrunch up my sleeves so no one can tell their length!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Long/tall sizes in tops are pretty rare birds, but both AT and Old Navy have them online. I think you're going to have to order online for most of these options, actually - the only two stores I know of that regularly carry tall in store are Target and Old Navy, and that's just for pants/jeans and not every style.

Or go designer / high end, like Theory etc. which I have no experience in personally, because all of it runs too straight & small for me.

Do you have an H&M nearby? They've certainly got the smaller sizes, and often a rectangular fit as well.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

NY&Co sometimes has some good trousers in long lengths too.

Gigi

Veteran

Staysfit, if you like the idea of talking up a Nordie's SA, I would just call the Nordie's that you've been to in the past and talk to an SA there over the phone. You can maybe get some ideas of designers to try that way, and then you could order online, since it's free shipping and free returns. It's definitely more of a hassle, but maybe you'd discover a few gems.

I know what you mean about ending up in the shoes department. I'm that way with bottoms, since I'm much easier to fit in bottoms than in tops. So I'll be shopping for tops and end up looking at skirts simply because I get frustrated with the tops.

Laura's idea of H&M is good too. H&M is generally cut narrower than other brands.

You might also try Loft. I have always found my Loft tops to be quite a bit longer than I'd like, even in petites'. And oftentimes I see the reviews on the Loft site complaining about the same thing.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I was just reminded, thanks to the arrival of a new catalog, that Garnet Hill might be a good option for you to try as well. Their sizes go down to 0 and they have tall inseams on several of their own-brand jeans and pants.

Staysfit

Veteran

Oh! I get their catalog! I have ordered their sheets before. My son wanted dinosaurs and they had a great print, the only "non-Barney" I could find at the time.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Their prices can be a little high for what you get, but everything I've ordered has been sturdy and good quality, and they do periodic sales. Plus if you're a smaller size you can probably snag some stuff on clearance; seems like the larger sizes are always gone first there.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

What about Lafayette? I know they sell pants unhemmed. Their clothes might suit your style, too--classic, but often with current twists and some arty pieces.

Staysfit

Veteran

Firecracker, good suggestion, I drool over the Lafayette catalog! I haven't ordered any of their items before.