Ask Angie: tall size?

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Carol

(website)

Veteran

Hi Angie and Fabbers,

How can I tell if I am a tall size in shirts and jackets, without actually going into a store and trying them on?

I am 5'6," but I have a long torso. I notice that some shirts hit at an awkward length around my waist. Thanks.

1 month ago

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4 replies

Latest reply was from Carol

Ginger

Veteran

Not Angie, but Tall sizes in general are pretty rare to find in stores, much rarer than Petites. Tall sizes in tops and jackets are extra rare. Offhand, I don't recall ever seeing Tall women's tops in store, while sometimes I do see pants and jeans.

I'm interested in hearing Angie's response. It does sound like you don't have an issue with arm length, which is what I usually hear about from my friends who do need true talls in both tops and bottoms.

For context, I am 5'9" and need talls for pants and maxi dresses/skirts (not that I've ever found those). I am short-waisted and long-torsoed (all the length is in my rise, from waist down) and my arms are at most average length. But petites and juniors tops tend to fit me better than regular women's, so I get the frustration about shirts hitting at an awkward length.

1 month ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have exactly the opposite problem — a lot of shirts hit me awkwardly low because I have proportionally longer legs!

Unless online listings include measurements, I think it’s hard to assess without a try on. And length measurements also don’t factor in the placement of darts or other shaping. If a garment is tailored, the placement of those features is make-or-break.

1 month ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Carol, I'm your height and don't think of us as tall. Ginger is tall

That said, you sound long in the body - long waisted like Tanya - which explains the length challenge (Tanya is also our height). She sometimes buys Talls in sheath dresses so that the waist hits the right place.

Do this test to see if you are long in the waist:

https://youlookfab.com/2009/06.....g-waisted/

And general info:

https://youlookfab.com/2018/05.....surements/

1 month ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Ginger--thanks. I did see that for an item I was looking at online--the tall measurements were really about the arms, and I probably don't need that.

Janet--good points about darts and such. At this point I feel like I am good at "eyeballing" those details and how they would work with my body, but not always. They do make a difference.

Angie--thanks for those reminders. I do always mix the two up. I will look at those links.

3 weeks ago

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