The height of the average American women is about 5 feet and 4 inches. This leaves her with ample shopping opportunity for pants in  petite and regular departments where inseam measurements range from 29 to 32 inches. But what are the options for the tall girl who stands at 5 feet 8 inches and taller? It’s even harder for her to shop for pants when she wears heels and wants to sport the correct pant length.

European chain stores are an option because they generally manufacture regular pants with longer inseams from 33 to 34 inches (the average European women is taller), but there are bottom options for tall girls in the US too:

• David Kahn jeans have inseams of 35 to 36 inches
• Other denim brands like DKNY Soho, Diesel, Citizens of Humanity, Mavi, Joes,  Fidelity,  Seven for all Mankind, Silver and Paige come in longer lengths with inseams of up to 36 inches
• Gap, Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer and Ann Taylor Loft stock items in longer lengths (34 to 36 inch inseams)
• Victoria Secret’s regular pant lengths finish at 34 to 39 inches
• Express has on-line purchasing options for pants with inseam measurements of 35 inches
• Brands like Womyn, Jones NY,  Marc Jacobs and  Goldsign make pants with seam lengths that vary from 34 to 37 inches

If these inseams are still too short, try the Tall Girl shop and Long Legs where the inseams are as long as 38 inches. Stand tall and embrace your height!

Goldsign wide legged pants with 37 inch inseams (Nordstrom), Joe jeans with 35 inch inseams (Nordstrom) and Gap khakis with 36 inch inseams.

End-of-season sales are here. It’s your last chance to make savvy Summer wardrobe choices before Autumn collections hit stores. Over the years, I’ve made my fair share of fashion blunders by purchasing poorly during sale time. But I’ve learnt from my mistakes, and from my experience as a buyer and stylist. Here are some guidelines to help you shop effectively:

1. Shop with a plan. Make a list of what you need and then shop the sales to find them.
2. Spend more money on shoes and handbags. Accessories pack a lot of punch. They can make a $60 outfit look designer.
3. Black can be better. Items made of cheap fabrications often look better in darker colours (like black and brown) as opposed to brights like fuchsia, purple and apple green.
4. Don’t buy expensive trendy pieces. Go cheap on items that are fashion fads. They’ll start falling apart after a season, in time for you to update with what’s next.
5. Beware of outlet shopping. Their prices aren’t always cheaper than sale prices at department stores. Also, outlets carry last season’s merchandise (with the exception of The Rack). Don’t update your wardrobe with dated items.
6. Keep expectations low at thrift stores. Secondhand stores can be fashion goldmines if you’re patient. You’ll usually have the best luck when you least expect it, so go in with a low expectation. 
7. Shop as often as possible. Perusing stores without actually buying anything will educate you on what’s available. Most mainstream merchandise is marked down after 8 weeks. That way you can anticipate sales and score.
8. Don’t be seduced by low prices. A low price does not necessarily equal a good buy. Refrain from buying anything unless you love it and it matches what you have in your wardrobe. You need to be even more discerning when you shop the sales because return policies are stickier and inventory is more scarce. 
9. Consider full-price items. If you buy cheap items that you never wear, then all you did was waste your money. If you love an item because it makes you feel fabulous but it wasn’t on sale, buy it. It’ll end up becoming a bargain because you wore it constantly and the cost-per-wear will whittle down to nothing.
10. Never shop when you’re hungry or tired. You’ll end up loosing focus and making bad decisions.

Everybody loves a bargain, but don’t feel that you need to get everything on sale. You’re worth full price.

There is no such thing as “one-bag-fits-all”. A heavy black satchel looks wrong with flirty summer attire;  while a whimsical straw tote is odd with a heavy winter coat. If bags aren’t your thing, you can limit your handbag inventory down to a complement of three, one of which is the a Spring/Summer bag.

You have options when it comes to warm weather bags:

• Printed canvas – perfect for a summer vacation in any array of appealing patterns, shapes and cotton-rich fabrications.
• Bright colours – add a colourful dimension to your ensemble in either plain or patent.
• White – freshen up any Spring/Summer outfit with white accessories.
• Sporty stripe – a punchy, crisp and sophisticated alternative for the “neutral gals” among us.
• Straw – the beach-inspired style has a distinctive urban edge (but remember that some straw bags can be scratchy).
• Metallic – silver, bronze and gold bags remain a versatile choice. Sport them futuristically or in rustic woven weaves.

Sunshine and hot temperatures are about adding a fun element to your wardrobe. Consider a cheerful handbag to match the mood.

Printed canvas (Fossil), straw (Monsac), sporty stripe (DKNY).

Red patent and metallic (Kate Spade) and white Satchel (Kenneth Cole Reaction).

Espadrilles are forever fashionable. They’re the perfect ultra casual (yet sophisticated) Summer shoe. Their raffia-wrapped wedge heels make them particularly “of this fashion moment”, and this season there’s an array of styles and colors to choose from. But most of them are either too high or hopelessly uncomfortable.

So the quest to find a fashionable yet comfortable and affordable pair of shoes continues. While none of them make it to my “6 to 8 hour”  mark, there happen to be a few “4 hour” options around. They’re perfect with dresses, skirts and knee length walk shorts. Have a peek below and perhaps they’ll meet your all-day requirement. (And remember not to wear them in the rain).

Espadrilles by Andre Assous, British footwear giant Clarks, and Born (available at Nordstrom and Zappos.com).