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Thinking about height

Scarlet

Veteran

It is so often that I read in the blog comments or in the forum negative comments about being short. Depending on the tone, it is treated almost like a disease or deformity to be below average height. Personally I think that body and clothing proportions are about 300 times more important than height in how good an outfit looks. Of course it is true that some looks suit a tall, statuesque frame better, and I dare say some looks suit a petite person better. Each of us is different and must consider the best way to present whatever combination of attributes we have. I don’t really understand why being short is seen so negatively.

Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

MsMary

Veteran

I'm a shortie and I don't see it as a negative. It's just a... characteristic. I'm with you -- some looks are quite plainly going to be more suited for a taller woman, but that's okay. I have plenty of choices and I don't mind being petite.

Maya

Veteran

High five Scarlet! I agree completely. I actually posted about this once on the blog, I think on the Team Heels/Team Flats post.

I have never felt even remotely inconvenienced by my height or felt the need to be taller. If anything I'm glad I'm not tall. I think it's a lot harder in terms of fit, and I'd personally feel awkward and ungainly (which is not to say that tall girls are either one of those things--just that my personality isn't really suited to it).

It just never occurred to me to think of being short or petite as unattractive or ugly and it makes me a bit sad reading comments that seem to imply that it is. If I'm sizing up a woman's attractiveness (that sounded weird but you know what I mean), height isn't even an issue.

Maya

Veteran

P.S.--

I'd also add that while there are a lot of looks that tall women pull off better, there are also looks that short women pull off better. All of those mini dresses that have been around for years look great on me. Put them on a tall gal and she'll look like she forgot her pants. So it's not true that being tall is inherently easier to flatter.

Joy

Veteran

Another shorty who is at that shrinking stage of life...I've never thought of being short as being a negative. It's just that it means working harder to get proportions right and to find clothing that fits with an increasingly limited selection of petites.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Scarlet, I agree with you a million percent.

So why then, are most women into wearing heels? The blogosphere is almost always about gals in heels. This is NOT a criticism to heel wearing gals!!! You know I respect all footwear style as long as you are comfortable and can get on with your day. It's interesting to ponder though - height is a sought after commodity.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'm very tiny, and honestly, I kind of like it. Being petite is part of who I am. But, if I had the choice, I would prefer to be two or three inches taller; that way, I'd still be petite, but it would be easier to find clothes that fit!

There has been a fair bit of talk about body image, and body size/shape/proportions on this forum. I have said before -- and I still firmly believe -- that any body type can be beautiful and dressed in a flattering way. However, I also think that a evenly-proportioned, slim body that is on the tall side is *by far* the easiest figure to dress, and this is why it is the most admired and sought-after figure in the western hemisphere. This type of body can "get away with" most styles, and those of us who fall outside of the tallish/slim/evenly-proportioned range have to be a little more careful in selecting clothing.

So, yes, Maya is right that short women can pull off mini dresses better; but on the whole, taller women have more choice of styles than us shorties.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like to wear heels not so much because it makes me taller (I feel weird standing next to my boyfriend when I'm so tall). I like heels ranging from 1-3 inches because it elongates the line of my legs, even though I don't have short legs. That is the aesthetic that our culture says is more beautiful than short legs, so I'm brainwashed.

Diana

Veteran

Hmm... I am 5'3.5" (so, on the short-ish side but not very short) and most of the time I am happy with my height, although in the past I have wanted to be taller. I don't find any clothing styles inherently unwearable because of my shortness - to be honest, the fact that I have a short waist is a bigger problem in terms of finding clothing that fits. Yes, I have to hem my jeans, but it's not a big deal and honestly I think premium denim is designed to be hemmed. I don't wear heels over 2" in general, unless they come with a gigantic platform.

I do think that other (non fashion) aspects of life are designed for taller people though, at least in America. For example, I have to raise my desk chair at lab to its highest setting to be comfortable at my desk, and my feet don't always comfortably touch the ground. I can't reach things on the topmost shelves in my kitchen. I find the overhead handholds on the subway really uncomfortable because I have to stretch to reach them. My mom (who is shorter than me) had to have her kitchen counters custom built when they remodeled the kitchen to be shorter than normal so that she could use them more comfortably.

On the other hand, my 5'11" friend is always lamenting that she can never find men tall enough to date! I can honestly say that I have NEVER had that problem.

ETA: When I was visiting Asia (Bangkok and Hong Kong) years ago I felt like a giant, both in terms of height and weight, and I was around the largest size they sold. On the whole, I would much rather feel short than like a giant.

MsMary

Veteran

I don't wear heels to be taller. I wear 'em because I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way they look! I think I still have a Barbie doll fixation...

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modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I love being short and agree with Maya, there are tons of things that look great on me that would be silly on a tall person. Shopping can be challenging... dresses and suits are too long in the torso, pants are not only too long, but the knee break is in the wrong place. These problems can't be easily tailored. Just about all skirts are midi's or maxi's on me, and not because I want them to be. It's only those years when mini's come back in style that I can actually find skirts that are the right length for me. I have to be careful about leg shortening styles and watching my proportions.I have a somewhat youthful appearance and I make sure that I avoid styles that could be perceived as cute or little and somewhat juvenile. I don't want to be taller, I just want more petite clothing options!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I think it is human nature to want what we don't have but it is so counter productive, there is no such thing as a bad height and life is so much easier when we accept that.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I don't mind being short. I'm 5'1" but have enough of an attitude that I have no issues telling my 5'6"-and-still-growing son what to do. I figure any short mom of a bunch of future men needs to be a bit tough.

Anyway... I agree with the others. I don't find being short a disadvantage, just a characteristic like any other height would be. And I don't wear tons of high heels to try to compensate.

Arya

(website)

It took me a long time to get comfortable with my height (5'2"), even though I stopped growing *many* years ago! It's really only since I've become more self-actualized (and self-accepting) that I've come to embrace my petite stature, and so many other things. Sure, I often have to ask for help at the grocery store (blast those top shelves!), but I'm no longer embarrassed by it - people seem to appreciate the opportunity to help, actually. Since I have sewing skills, I've taken to making my own clothes or modifying the ones I buy to better suit my figure.

As for heels, I adore them! It's sort of like how I adore wearing make-up, even though I'm perfectly happy with my lovely, naked face. I like the sound that heels make on a hard floor. I like how my legs look - even better - when I'm wearing heels. I like how my foot looks - even better - when I'm wearing heels. And yes, if I'm honest, I also like being just an inch or two taller for a few hours. Even with those inches, I'm still petite, so it doesn't feel like I'm fooling anybody...least of all myself.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Honestly, I never have figured out why some ladies are so unhappy about being so nice and petite At 5'7 I wouldn't want to be any taller and wouldn't mind being an inch or 2 shorter actually.

Patty

Veteran

I think it's the aesthetic that heels bring to the person--they make your calf much more shapely and bring out your rear--a body geometry change and the shoe looks nice to.
As for fitting tall--I'm told I'm tall, when it comes to getting fitted clothes all the tapers--waist, knees, elbows, bust (but I'm small) are in the wrong place for me too. Certain stores for certain pieces are out of the picture completely for me (since YLF that I know the difference).
Lengths! The first years after I was finished having kids and camis were becoming popular (in my circle anyway) they were all so short I couldn't bare (LOL) to wear them and they would not stay tucked if I wore them layered. There are more choices now tho but seems to me trends start in short lengths--not that I'm trendy .
Pants--I just walk into a store and ask if they do 34/36 before doing anything.
It's the thrill of the hunt now--even if I don't bag a buy.
Now lets talk about left handed buttons and zippers hahahahaha while I check the top shelf of MaryK's cupboards for a bag of popcorn. =^D

taylor

Veteran

I actually like being on the petite side in both height and frame(barely 5'4)...as I have gotten older i appreciate it even more:)
I don't wear heels for the height...I am with MaryK...it is all about the aesthetic that heels bring to the outfit. I think if I was even an inch or 2 shorter it might look even better, I tend to look lanky sometimes and much taller than I am.

I was shopping the other day and asked the sales girl if "this dress came in petite" and she said "Oh I don't think you are a petite" I slipped off a shoe and was shorter than her...we both giggled:)

rosee

Veteran

We should learn to appreciate our heights (among other assets) for what they are -- short, average or tall.
I'm 5'6, so average, but I also have fit issues: pants are often too short for me (especially now that I know about PPL) and I often have to go into the tall sizes to get the length I need. Sometimes the tall pants are too long in the rise, so another problem. I can fit petite tops and jackets as long as they are a shorter sleeve (long sleeves are too short again). Even though I'm at the height at which most clothes are mass-produced, I have fit issues too. Can happen to anyone, I guess....

Steph

Veteran

I am not even 5'1, and I don't mind being short, but I do agree that when others speak it often seems like short is a negative. I used to work with a group of people who constantly teased my about my height--I actually never minded, because I didn't see anything wrong with being short.

I absolutely adore wearing heels and do so almost all of the time. However, I think that there are a lot of reasons to wear heels that don't have to do with appearing taller. There is no way I am fooling anyone into thinking I'm tall just because I'm wearing a 4 inch heel. I like heels because I have bulky calves, and heels make them look leaner. I also like them for the proportion--my legs are far shorter than the average person of my height. And I love the aesthetic too--I really like cute shoes, and more often than not, I find those shoes are heels.

Aida

Veteran

I go back and forth about being annoyed with my height (5'3") and not caring. In terms of fashion I don't really think about it; I almost never think to myself, "I can't wear this style because I am too short". Height is just another body proportion to work with when dressing, not a hindrance but simply a characteristic. In regards to shopping I find my height to be far less of a problem than other areas (though luckily I'm fairly easy to fit overall).

I wear heels with the same view as Mary and Taylor: I just like the aesthetic (this goes for leg lengthening dressing, too), and I like the way they make my legs, feet and seat look. The extra few inches are nice too, and while a factor, not a major one. With heels I move into the "normal" height range of 5'6"-7" but because I'm small framed I'm usually still thought of as short. So it's not a huge help there

Like Diana said, I find my height more challenging in other areas of life. The main one that bothers me is that the shorter height coupled with my youthful appearance sometimes gets me taken less seriously. And still gets me carded, which I don't appreciate yet 0:)

Beth

Veteran

My perfect height would be 2" taller than I am now at 5'5", but on the list of "things I wish I could change" it barely registers.

On the other hand, my SIL is gorgeous and an even 6'. I've never seen her in heels and I know she'd prefer to be slightly shorter.

We're all fab at any size!

Heather

Veteran

This is some thread!

Becky

Veteran

I *like* being short, and have for most of my adolescence and all of my adulthood. Yes, sleeves and hems have to be shortened, but that can be done much more easily than adding length. I do get a bit grumpy about seating; most chairs/benches/couches are uncomfortable for me because my feet don't rest comfortably on the floor. They dangle freely, which is bad for circulation and is hard on the back after a while. So if I have a choice, I sit on the floor or cross-legged on chairs. But overall, I'm quite happy at my height. If someone comments, I always respond, "I'm taller than both of my grandmothers!"

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Even though I'm 5' 4 1/2" I tend to think of myself as on the short side. Partly this is because my whole family is tall. My younger brothers and both uncles are 6' 2" or 6' 3". The ladies, too- my mom comes in the shortest at 5' 10" but my aunt, cousin and grandma were/are all 6'. So just my mom and one older brother are under 6', and not by much. I got some crazy gene from 3 generations ago or something lol.
But this discussion has made me realize that overall I am quite lucky. I'm relatively proportionate and most things fit me right off the rack. I do have short waist issues and armholes too big, etc. but we all have our minor troubles with fit. At work at the bar it would be helpful to be taller when it comes to reaching that top shelf of alcohol but then again, plane rides I am quite content to have some leg room in a basic coach seat.
But Scarlet, I do see your point that this seems to be a characteristic that's easily made to seem unenviable whereas other body types we would not so readily lend such negative connotations to.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I wish I was shorter. Men think I'm too tall.

"... but models are tall!"
"so?"

KristineK

I'm with Diana and Aida. I don't really have many specific fashion-related problems with being short, but in other areas of life... well, it's another story. Desk/chair height is a constant challenge and don't even get me started on the problem of always having people taller than me obscuring my view in movie theaters. Sometimes I think I should take a booster seat with me

I wear heels almost 100% of the time (usually in the 3-4 inch range), both because I'm in love with the way they look and because I work predominantly with men, most of whom are a good deal taller than me. In fact the three men I work with most frequently are all a full foot taller than me, so I'll take full advantage of anything that levels that playing field a bit, so to speak.

Patty

Veteran

Holey Moley you ladies all photograph taller than your listed heights!!! O_O

Aziraphale

Veteran

I have to add my two cents about heels. The fact that they make me physically taller is only an incidental bonus. I mainly wear them because they make my legs and butt look nice, and add a level of sophistication to an "evening out" outfit. If I were 5'11", I'd still wear them -- even if it meant I'd tower over a lot of men.

Aida

Veteran

Patty your comment illustrates Scarlet's point nicely: proportion is much more important. It's not like being shorter automatically makes one ill proportioned, which seem to be a prevalent thought and part of the reason, I think, shortness is a bit maligned.

Maya

Veteran

I disagree that tall women are more easily fitted and flattered by virtually anything. I really feel for tall lanky gals actually. It must be incredibly frustrating to struggle with things being too short or hitting too high. It's much easier to take away fabric than it is to add it, and petite sizes are much easier to find than tall. Tall women can pull off bigger prints and handbags better, but petite women can pull off smaller prints and handbags better, so it's more or less an even exchange. I also find that I can easily get away with things being too long just by combining them a certain way, but it's much harder to make things look right when they are too short.

For virtually everything else, it's all a matter of proportion, not overall height. I am trying to think of anything else that absolutely requires a tall frame besides wide leg pants and I am drawing a blank. I guess maxi dresses, but I don't even like them on tall girls so I'm not sure if I can count that.

I rarely wear heels but if and when I do, it's never to look taller. I think that's utterly silly. Maybe I'm just extra observant, but I have never felt "fooled" by someone's footwear. If you're wearing 4" heels and you're still only 5'4, trust me, I can still tell that you are short!

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