Tall Stories: TALL is not BIG!

This post was planned, but after a chat with  @Domrocks on twitter I bumped it to the top of the pile.

Ever been called 'big' when people mean 'tall'? Yes? Hurts doesn't it!

Just because we have height does not mean we are tall round our bellies!! We are not vertically challenged, but we might be horizontally challenged!

I have lost count of the amount of times I have gone into a shop and picked up a 'tall' item, only to find that it fits like a tend.  Since when does 5ft 10" mean that I am a size 16, 18 or more?  I look after myself and am a healthy weight for my height.  Of course I would like to be a bit thinner, a bit more toned, but then who doesn't?!  However I fall into size 8, 10 or 12 depending on the store (now THAT is a topic in it's own right!!).  A number of times these items will fall short on the torso, and if I want to cover it up, I have to go up a size or two!

Being called 'big boned' is one thing.  We tallies are big boned if you think about it, but being called 'Big' is a whole different kettle of fish. 

So to anyone reading this, the majority of us are tall but never 'Big'.  Most of us already feel like giants, but please don't make us feel like big fat giants!  It's amazing what affect a simple comment can have on our self-esteem and body image.  Our shoes might look like small canoes on each foot (Tali's phrase), but at least our feet are not too bloated to fit into shoes!!  We might need an extra bit of leg room on airplanes or aisle seats for our legs, but we never need to book two seats just to fit out bottoms in!!  (And even if we are a little on the podgy side, then have some tact and don't mention it!!) Got it?!

Have people ever used different words to describe your height?  Any tales to raise a smile?

Stand Tall!

P.s. Don't forget that 5foot10 is on blogspot and twitter.  Feel free to post a link on your twitter/blog to draw fellow 'tallies' into the family xx

More posts to follow, I've just had a bit of a tough week.

Tall Star Style: Kate Middleton 5ft 10

The first of many posts of Tall Star Style.  I thought I would start with someone who has been a frequent part of this year's news. Duchess Catherine Middleton!

 Kate Middleton 5 ft 10

Kate wears Zara Dress, L. K. Bennett Shoes and (unconfirmed) River Island Jacket (Oh and the future king of England on her arm).

Style 

Kate's general style seems to be country chic.  She often wears simple plain items, layered on top of each other.  A pair of trousers teamed with a t-shirt and blazer, or a plain dress and jacket.  Of course it helps that she doesn't ever have to walk very far- instead being driven about by armored guard.  This means she is never in the cold for very long (unlike most of us)!  Her evening wear tends to be very plain in colour, but elegant long lines, teamed with simple accessories.  Notice how all the styles clinch in her at her waist, and go down to the floor- no tall girl problems for her!

Yellow 40s inspired dress by Jenny Packham.

Kate in McQueen with a nautical theme, and Prada shoes.

Country Chic?

Kate in Issa- the brand she also wore for her engagement announcement.

Kate in Amanda Wakeley.

Simple jeans, flats and a tucked in blouse.

Simple jeans, LKBennett shoes, plane jacket and ruffle blouse.

The LKBennett wedges again! Casual Kate.  I think its a Mulberry Jacket.

Shops at:

Kate likes to champion British 'high street' Fashion however some of it is not very 'highstreet'!  Known favorite stores include;

Reiss 

Zara 

Topshop

Whistles

Diane Von Furstenberg

Jigsaw (where she used to work)

French Connection 

Most of the upper end designers such as Issa are on Net-a-Porter and My Wardrobe although it's worth looking on Ebay for items, especially the high street items!

Shoes:

L. K. Bennett

Barratts

She seems to favour the 'nude pump' as a day to day staple.  Her favorite pair are the Nude Sledge heels from L. K Bennett.  She also likes Jimmy Choo but for those of use with a more modest budget, Kate has been seen wearing navy pumps which have been cited as Prada or these Barratts Navy 3.5inch pumps (which are now reduced to £20!!)

Of course I couldn't do a post on Kate Middleton's Style without posting 'that' dress.  So here you are, Kate Middleton on her wedding day wearing two Alexander McQueen wedding dresses.  Notice how they accentuate her tiny frame into an hourglass shape?  (There were hip pads underneath!)

Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Wedding dress.

Evening gown/wedding dress.  Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

P.s. Just to prove that she is one of us- here she is with a little (only a little) 'tall girl stoop'

What do you think of Kate's style?  Does she play it too safe?

Stand Tall x

(All pictures taken from The Daily Mail, Telegraph, Guardian or the retail site.  Copyright remains with the holder).

Welcome to 5 foot 10.

It's finally here.  After months of thinking about it I have taken the plunge and created 

5 foot 10 - The Tall Girl's Guide.

One day I woke up, and I was tall.  Clothes didn't fit.  Trousers became cropped trousers.  Tops became crop tops.  I started hitting my head on ceilings and developed a stoop.  I started to hate shopping as it was just a form of torment to see all the pretty things I couldn't wear.  I didn't want to stick out, yet if I wanted shoes with heels I suddenly became 6 foot 2 and towered over the 'normal people'.  As a teenager I just wanted to blend in.  It's an awkward time, let alone when people describe you as 'the tall girl'.  

"Which one is she?" 

"The tall one over there"

Fast forward a few years and I have learned to work with my body and use it's advantages.  Height is one of them.  No more lurking in the corner!

If you are a fellow tall person I hope you will enjoy my tales, tips and shopping advice.
 Don't forget to follow if you want to keep up to date!

Let the fun begin.

Stand Tall x