Jennie Runk: 5' 10" plus size model for H&M

I came across this image of Jennie Runk "Plus size model" for H&M.  Jennie is a US size 14-16 (UK 16-18).  Now I don't know about you but my first thought on seeing the campaign picture was that she looked pretty and healthy- I then found out that she was classed as 'plus sized' in the modelling world (although I thought she looked like a UK sized 12 so I'm not sure if that's 'model sizing').

Stunning Jennie Runk H&M dress

 The photo above is for H&M's beachwear line.  I thought it made a refreshing change to see normal healthy models used in a campaign.  I'm hoping that they make the dress above in my size as I'll be hunting it down in whatever H&M decides to using as my size that week.... (I fall between an 8-14 depending on the high-street store but that is a whole new post/rant!!)

Flawless Beauty!

Anyway I did a little research on Jennie, and was really pleased to see that she has the same issues with trousers as me..

"..... I was wearing sweat pants because my thighs were the size of their (her classmates) waists, and those pants were embarrassingly short because I was taller than the average adult, but still shopped at (pre-teen clothing store) Limited Too."

Glad to see that even models are not exempt from clothing woes!

Jennie off duty! Solve the trouser issues by wearing shorts! :)

Jennie for la redoute

25 year old Jennie has a Bachelor's Degree- pursuing academic studying alongside her modelling career.  She is an advocate for positive thinking and embracing health body confidence.  She has a facebook page (link) if you want to read her lovely thoughts or see more 5' 10" clothing inspiration.

Also she has written an article for the BBC website online (viewable here) which makes interesting reading.  Being 5' 10"  I thought Jennie made an excellent addition to 5' 10".

Have you seen many other campaigns using 'plus sized' models?  Any campaigns you'd like to ban for using unhealthily skinny models?  Any thoughts?

Stand Tall x

Tall Star Style: Miranda Kerr 5ft 9

Miranda Kerr rocking her Victoria's Secret Catwalk angel wings

Mrs. Orlando 'Legolas' Bloom AKA Miranda Kerr.  Victoria's Secret catwalk queen, magazine cover girl, mum, business woman, organic skincare maker... Miranda has a great body.  I think she looks healthy- not gaunt, but toned and healthy.  She treats her body with lots of respect- feeding it a balanced diet of containing all the needed vitamins, minerals and nutrients.  At 29 she looks glowing and her post-baby body seems to show no signs of her motherhood.  As someone who started a blog primarily about bad skin problems and how to fix them, I have been following Miranda as a skincare and health inspiration- so it seems only natural that I should feature her on my fashion blog about style!

Miranda is currently on the cover of Australian Vogue.

Photo credit Daily Mail

Miranda always seems to dress simply.  One or two clean tailored pieces and normally a killer pair of heels.  I'm not sure if it is due to the fact she is in hot places (Australia, LA, Mexico...) but I think I'd need to wear a few more layers in the UK!  She seems to get away with small fitted jackets and tight figure hugging shorts, leggings or trousers.

Photo credit to Glamour.com

When it comes to dressing up, Miranda is a big fan of floaty feminine dresses.  She seems to favour vintage Hollywood inspired dresses and states Audrey Hepburn as one of her style icons (who wouldn't?).  Of course these are teamed with another pair of killer heels.

Credit to Just Jared

I love this aqua maxi dress with puffed shoulders.  Very vintage siren!

Audrey Hepburn inspired

When it comes to dressing down, Miranda still looks as glam as anything.  She can carry off bold prints and distressed shorts (again with killer heels)....

 Or a simple t shirt with minimal makeup......

Simple over-sized t shirt and a gold geometric necklace

 Just to prove she wears flats sometimes, here she is in some very office-esque flat ballet pumps, in leopard print.  I found some similar ones on ebay at a very affordable price link!

Style

All in all, I'd say Miranda's style is effortless.  She makes dressing look easy.  Simple lines, great tailoring.  I'd say her posture helps- she always stands straight and has a great relaxed smile.  Inner assurance and confidence make a great canvas for anything.  She doesn't over clutter a look with many pieces of jewellery or accessories- just one or two choice pieces.  Mostly she seems to wear stud earring or bare ears instead of statement pieces in the day.  Necklaces are dainty or absent.  I think she favours a watch and sunglasses (sunglasses are an MK style essential to remain wrinkle free for as long as possible in sunny Australia)!

Miranda standing TALL (and proud!)

Miranda has been quoted as saying Net-a-Porter is her favourite place to shop because she travels so much and online is easier.  N-a-P do have some lovely pieces AND great sales- but if it is still a little pricey then I can really recommend the OUTNET for similar items but at much reduced prices.

Shoes

I'd recommend looking at shops like Dune (currently 50% off) or Kurt Geiger (also 50% off!) if you are on a budget.  For nude ones Dorothy Perkins did have some reasonable nude platforms (£29.50 normally but currently £23.60 with 20% off).  If you are not on a budget then head to Selfridges, Net-a-porter, the OUTNET or Harrods!  The world is your oyster!

I can't really afford Miranda's recent addition of an Alexander McQueen orange Heroine bag at £1745 but I did find a similar one on ebay for a much more affordable £11.99.  Not quite a McQueen.. but as Miranda says, fashion is about knowing how to wear things, not spending lots of money.

Bag from Ebay

What do you think of Miranda's style?  Are you inspired by her effortless looks or healthy living?  Do you wear minimal jewellery or is Miranda's take a little 'too' minimal?

Stand Tall x

Tall Model Tips: Body Shape: #BINTM

This is the start of a new series I'll be doing.  I'll be keeping them short but will be sharing tips- so if there are any questions you want to ask then just comment below and I will try to answer them in the future!

Winner Leititia Herod is in the beige/gold dress in the middle.  I'd love to stand next to these girls and feel 'short' but I think my self esteem would plummet- they are stunning!  Photo c/o The Clothes Show

During a recent press event for Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model, I got to ask the girls what their best tip was for staying in shape and healthy.

The answer was.... Zumba and Yoga!

Now I've tried Yoga (and love it), but have yet to try Zumba.  I'm not always good at sticking to weekly classes due to my erratic schedule, though I do have a few Yoga DVDs.  Maybe I should do a post on them at some point.

(You can follow Leititia on twitter @letitiaHerod, Britian and Irelands Next Top Model @BINTMLive or see them at The Clothes Show in Birmingham 7-11th December at the NEC!)

Do you do Yoga or Zumba?  Do you agree with the girls?  What DVDs would you recommend?  How do you stay in shape?  What Model questions would you like answered?

Stand Tall x

Tall Stories: Tall person + Heels? Ummmm

While high heels (3 or more inches) can 'look' pleasing they can throw up problems-

• Being tall and wearing heels can be undesirable (giant syndrome anyone?!)  Not to mention the ache from your neck after stooping to chat to all the small people who didn't get the memo to grow tall!
• They are impractical for wearing all day!  Fine if you are Nicole Richie or Tamara Ecclestone who has a stylist choose their outfit, prep them in a car before they walk 10 paces before the press and then sit for an evening before walking another 10 paces to the car (while the photographs lead us to believe that all they wear are skyscraper heels day in day out)!
• They hurt your feet and cause posture misalignment which can lead to all sorts of varied and related problems you never knew about until your doctor/osteo/chiropodist tells you some long latin words and then explains some horrible condition that all relates to your choice of footwear...

Christian Louboutin made these en pointe shoes to raise money for English National Ballet.  Pretty or pretty uncomfortable?

On the plus side they make your feet look smaller.  Yes I am talking about 'that' episode again.  Some of you will have read this before but I'll share it again... I'm talking about the time I went to try on some shoes.  I just wanted some day to day Mary Jane style shoes (like normal office heel shoes but with a strap so they stay on your feet when you walk).  I opted for the 1-2 inch heels but the Sales Assistant said I should try on the 3 inch heels just to see.  I do like tall heels, but I am not a fan of sticking out all the time- plus I worry about getting posture and arthritis when older so I'd rather reserve higher heels for occasional wear.  Anyway I tried on the lower pair, which fitted fine, I then tried on the higher pair wondering if the height would hurt my feet or turn me into Godzilla... then came the sting.

"How are you getting on?" said the Sales Assistant.  "Yeah, I'm not sure about these" I said, eyeing up the skyscrapers on my feet.  Then came the immortal words I have never forgotten... "Those look good.  They make your feet look smaller"... You WHAT?  You're saying I have big feet?  And that wearing cripplingly high heels will make my feet look smaller and this is a good thing?

Lobster shoes! Comfortable and height? Or just plan daft?

I wasn't really hung up on the size of me feet too much until that day.  Don't get me wrong- I know they are big- but my shoes size always sells out so I know it is popular.  More importantly they balance my height and I would look very odd (and fall over) if my feet weren't proportionate.  I may feet like I have to wear small canoes on each foot (especially when wearing flat shoes) BUT DONT USE MY SIZE TO BRIBE ME INTO BUYING ITEMS!!  And certainly don't give me complexes about fitting in when I am perfectly normal!!  I know that now, but at the time several years ago I just wanted to blend in and it seems that every store I visited for shoes just stocked skyscrapers and no alternatives.  Thankfully nowadays the flat shoe trend is hear to stay and mid sized heels which look fashionable AND comfortable are here to stay!  And even if they aren't 'fashionable' they are vintage styled which also appears to be cool nowadays!

Freya Shoes from Hush Puppy (link) £35-£60 with a normal heel! Get in!

I have some posts coming up about shoes for tall-ies.  Shoes that won't hurt your feet, cost the earth or make us stick out for the wrong reasons :) Having struggled in this area for many years I knew this was one of the topics I wanted to share on this blog- so keep your eyes peeled for some shoes posts!

Do you wear high heels?  How high will you go?  Do you have special trusted shops?  Any shoes secrets or stories?

Stand Tall x

(P.s. I didn't buy those shoes.  I removed them, smiled, thanked the guy and left the shop- and took my 'big feet' elsewhere to shop!)
(P.p.s. 5 foot 10 is now on Facebook (link) and Twitter (@5foot10blog) so more ways to stay up to date :) ) 

 

Find clothes by your size! Genius App!

I saw this today and just had to share.  If you're like me then finding clothes can be a nightmare.  I go into one shop and I'm a size 8, another size 12, another 14... and it doesn't stop there!  Each item is individually sized too, so a skirt in a 10 might fit, but in tops I'm a 12.. confused? Me too!

I saw this today.

Genius!

Simply input your hit, waist and bust size in CM or inches and the software will tell you which shops you should head to.  Not only that, but it also breaks it down into which shops best fit you for tops, skirts and dresses.  You can also select a store and see what measurements they fit their clothes too.

I have to say, the results it gave me were pretty good- places I shop in!

Genius idea.  You can check it out at http://sizes.darkgreener.com/ Sadly I don't think height is taken into account but it is a step in the right direction? Right?

Other News:
I had hoped to take some more OOTD pictures, but it has been so cold that I have literally lived in jeans/ work wool trousers and a big chunky knit cardigan.  Not very exciting!  Hopefully it will warm up soon!!  I'm not used to -10 degrees!!

I am updating the Blogger Height Wall again, so please, please spread the word.  The more people there are, the better it works!  Don't forget 5 foot 10 is on twitter.  I tend to update it with fashion and tall tweets, but if you want to follow my normal (random) ramblings and beauty tweets then follow my other twitter HERE.

What have you been up to?  Do you think that site is good?  Can you recommend any other software?

Stand Tall x

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.