Shopping in the US - tall and size 12 shoes

Tomorrow we are leaving to take my son to University in Virginia. I live outside Toronto. On the way back we will stop in Washington DC and may have some time, as we make our way back north, to stop in somewhere and do a little bit of shopping.

My big issue is long length pants and larger sized shoes. I have a few pairs of black flats, but none are comfortable. They do, in a pinch, but I hate wearing them, unless I have to. I’m normally a size 10 in a pant with a long rise and size 12 (r) a shoe. I can get runners here, because I order men’s.

To those who struggle finding clothes, could you name a couple of places to search for these things? I’d love a nice pair of wide legged pants for fall. I’m up for boutiques or department stores, or anything in between. I’m asking b/c I don’t want to subject my husband to too many stores!

Here, in Canada, I mostly have to order online and even then, rarely do things fit properly. Although, I’ve been to Aritzia and they do have pants there that seem to work, I’d like to look outside of Canada, before I buy those. I don’t think I’m from the online generation and I need to learn to sew.

Thanks all!

3 months ago

cat2

Veteran

My MIL had larger feet than you, and shopped at Nordstrom for footwear. If you get hooked up with a stylist they can have things pulled.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

One of the best places to order TALL bottoms is from J.Crew.

I echo cat2 about the suggestion for shoes.

marija

Active Member

Thanks for your ideas!

Kyle

I wear tall pants and don’t think many stores carry them in brick and mortar locations (one exception I can think of is Express, but I have not looked there recently). Of course there are many more options online: Ann Taylor, Loft, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Old Navy, The Gap, and Madewell. You might want to find out if Abercrombie has talls in store. I know you can order them.

Ginger

As another tall, I have used Lands' End and American Eagle (which has not only Long but Extra Long). However, again none of them carry long/tall sizes in the stores. Once upon a time Kohl's had some talls in jeans in store but I doubt that they do now. Stores that should/could have talls in stock are brands like Wranglers, Levis, and Lee jeans at athletic stores like Academy and Tractor Supply. But that's a fairly specific niche.

Echo

Both Nordstrom and Nordstrom's Rack tend to have a good selection of size 12 shoes. My daughter wears the same size, and that's where we usually shop for shoes. For casual shoes, Skechers carries a size 12, but they sell out fast, and are hard to find.

Suz

Not tall and my feet are ordinary sized. But speaking as a Canadian who occasionally shops cross border (either by visiting or ordering from the US) -- what I would suggest for this trip is to try on as many pants and shoes by makers you haven't tried before, even if they do not have the item in tall or your exact size. The purpose of this trying on is to give you a greater ability to guestimate whether the company's fit model / last is anywhere near your fit needs, and to allow you to order online with greater confidence in the future. Because things being what they are these days, the likelihood that you will find your size (especially a specialized size) in stock at end of season in any of the retail stores except those specializing in tall sizes (or large sizes for shoes) is very, very small. So you need to go into the experience with an open mind and consider it research.

When I'm in the US, I try on items from retailers whose stuff I like, but don't have access to in Canada save through online ordering (and shipping and returns, not to mention duties, can really add up!) This gives me so much info for future orders.

I wish you luck!

Laurie

No retail advice, but congratulations to your son on starting his university year in Virginia from a William & Mary alum!

Joy

This fall companies are shipping pants longer than usual. They are often too long for me.

Lisa

I have no recommendations but congratulations to your son!

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