Hello Dear Reader,
I am a long legged tall bird! Six Foot plus in heels! Finding clothes to fit is a nightmare! Dresses have waists too high because my body is longer than average. Trousers have waists too low because my body length is not standard. Jackets don’t fit as the arm holes are not deep enough for me. Consequently, I am a dreadful shopper. There is nothing like clothes shopping to make me feel like an ugly freak. If you work in a clothes shop then please be patient with me when I come. I am likely to try on everything in the shop and I might find just one thing that will fit me. Currently, tunic tops are fashionable and on me, they are just long enough.
I was asked to place an advert for Bonmarche on my blog and before I agreed, I went to visit their local store. Firstly, why haven’t I been in here before? Secondly, they make clothes that fit normal women, even the display mannequins are based on normal bodies. Although I didn’t buy anything, the thing that impressed me most was the empathetic attitude of the staff to my sizing dilemmas. Their clothing is budget and is priced well but like other budget stores, they had no tall clothing and their trousers all had 29″ inside legs and mine at are 33″.Their dresses were sized to 39.5″ from the nape to the seam and I need a dress of 50″ to be a modest mid calf. Their tunic tops were gorgeous and one is on the way to me in part payment for the infographic. I’m a ‘modest’ dresser and like clothes to completely cover, look appropriate and be well made and if I was six inches shorter then I could have happily bought anything in the store. I’ve got to mention their staff in the Cornwall St store in New George Street as they really couldn’t have done more for me.
You might be asking why a frugalista like myself buys new clothes and not just clothes from charity shops. I certainly do use charity shops but I’m faced with the same issue, not many women are 6′ in heels with legs like stilts. So, in the interest of good value and good research I will look for clothes anywhere and in all the budget stores as that’s my affordable price range.
Over to you Dear Reader, where do you find good value and good service at affordable prices. Who else uses budget stores for clothing? Who else has difficulties finding clothes to fit due to sizing issues? Who else is modest dresser and finds it difficult to look stylish with out dressing like your gran? Oh the dilemmas of clothing, please share and leave a comment.
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs
Disclaimer - I am being sent ‘tops’ from the new lines from Bonmarche and I’m looking forward to them. I have been paid to place this advert but my opinions about the quality and service are genuinely my own.
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Dorothy Perkins has a tall range and especially with their frequent sales I think they are fairly reasonable. Asda does some tall stuff especially in jeans although my personal preference is the maternity wear for the extra length in the tops. I have also had some luck with both Tesco and Sainsburys when it comes to trousers. I think they all have lines available on line now if that helps at all.
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I have bought clothes from Bon Marche for years, their clothes fit and they do shorter lengths. I even traveled 60 miles round trip when we were in Scotland to the shop in Livingston to get winter clothes that fit. The prices are very reasonable too.
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I don't shop in budget stores really. Overall I find their clothes not very flattering for my middle-aged figure. Actually I used to like Bon-Marche but I was their size small and now that I lost weight this shop is out. I have an opposite problem from you - I am too short for regular sizes and too tall/longed legged for short sizes. At the moment my budget clothing comes from Cotton traders, charity shops and my sewing machine :). For the rest I follow the motto of the women of my family:'I am not rich enough to buy cheap clothes'. Also as hobby seamstress I can see all the shortcuts and poor workmanship in commercial clothes so refuse to buy them. My wardrobe is very small not even a full double and it comfortably fits all my seasonal clothes. For the rest - I buy classic/timeless and usually very expensive clothes which I expect to last minimum of 10 years, suits/coats about 15-20. As an example I have 25 years old Aquascutum skirt which still gets compliments. It is my only long wool winter skirt and in today's money probably was around £200 which works out at £8 per year cost to keep myself stylish and warm during winter:).
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I have the opposite problem - I am 5'2″ and the waistline sits on my hip, jackets look frumpy because they are too long and I could just about make another item of clothing for a child from the amount I have to cut off my jeans and trousers.
Like you, I want clothes that adequately cover me but are stylish. My main complaint here in Australia is trying to find decent quality at a reasonable price. Even some of the 'high end' labels are, as my mother would say, “sewn with a hot needle and a burnt thread”.
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I have te same problem. I shop from Next and get by. Their talks tops are perfect but their tall trousers are too long. I get long ad extra long. They also so long sleeve! I haven't shopped at Bon Marche you will have to let me know what the quality of their tops are like and whether they are long enough for long bodies!
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I am not as tall as you but the only place I have seen clothing for tall ladies was Debenhams and that was quite a few years ago.
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I have wasted huge amounts of money on clothes in the past. The problem is reconciling what is fashionable with what actually suits you. Once you are able to disconnect yourself from the need to be fashionable, your choice opens up a lot more and you don't need to spend so much money. And as for being an unusual shape (tall, small, fat, thin) although this makes shopping a little more time consuming - you will still see plenty of average-sized people walking around in stuff that really doesn't do them any justice at all simply because it is 'fashionable'… we all have our challenges when it comes to clothing!
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My Mum liked Bonmarche and now when still got ill I had to buy new clothes for her (she went down 5 dress sizes) and the staff were so helpful and nice. I even ended up with a lovely new skirt for myself.
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To my shame I've never been in a Bon Marche store in UK. Like you, I'm tall, take 33″ length trousers and prefer longer length skirts. Not easy!
Landsend sales do offer very good value, and they will take back anything that doesn't work at any time. Nice people to deal with too.
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I always check out the Bon Marche store when I am in the UK. I don't need much of anything at this point, but if I have forgotten to pack anything (ie cool weather clothes for the UK, when it is over 90 degrees F. in the US as I pack), I will go there first. I am a charity shop clothes shopper, but you just can't often walk into one and get what you need at that moment.
The price of food here in the US is crazy, too. Even at the local farms. I walk away think “I paid all that money for what?. My freezer is my friend, as I can take advantage of the sales, but for someone who only has the frig/freezer, it is hard…
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We have a boundry mills near us , at the moment they have a 75% sale on if you go, go when they first open as it gets mad , i have problems too as i have small frame but am overweight , if the fit in the body the arms gape open , in fact there is always some part that does not fit right but boundry mills have that much choice , they also have a marks and spencer clearance in there , i always seem to get sorted out there , but i am getting my sewing machine repaired out of my birthday money so i can make clothes that fit , but i only buy clothes when i need them , i only spend about £50.00 per year , looking in charity shops first.
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I like Land's End clothes and their comfortable stretch cords have been my winter “uniform” for years. Their normal prices are now beyond my budget - but I still buy sale items. It's worth looking out for special offers such as free p&p or one-day flash sales with perhaps 20% off. Compared with some other stores M&S is quite reasonable these days, as is Edinburgh Wool.
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Hi Froogs
I too have the “clothes don't fit syndrome” as i am tall. I have found Ebay has solved all my problems as i can email sellers, if needed, the length of trousers etc. I recently needed smart suits for work and managed to get two planet suits (normally about £250 each) for £26.50!. I now have designers and makes that i know fit and look for mega bargains on ebay when i need anything. Along with some cunning altering ideas i can wear beautiful clothes that fit for a tiny price.
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Please stop complaining about your height and legs. Some of us would give ANYTHING to be built like you! LOL
mikemax-aka The Incredible Shrinking Woman and never was tall to start with!
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Like Maruchan, above, I love Cotton Traders. I wouldn't call them particularly budget but their clothes are very well made and seem to cover all my (self-inflicted!) lumps and bumps. They are classic basics in long lasting material. The only downside might be that you have to put up with their logo on most things, other than knitwear. Just this last week I bought a cardigan from Cotton Traders. It's great. Slightly too big though because I always forget that I need one size smaller than the size guide indicates. Their clothes are always nicely long. For all you lovely tall ladies (I wish) the cardigan is longer than my bottom and I have to push the sleeves up. Why a cardigan during this hot weather - well, I have a skin condition so can't go out and about in strong sun and I cover all my skin walking in and out of work. Wear more in summer than in winter! Would you all like to see my Cotton Traders cardie? If it's not allowed to add links to items on your blog, Froogs, please just say and I will repost without the link!
http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/cotton-revere-cardigan/invt/al10448
I do wish that I could buy clothes in charity shops - sometimes I can but I'm usually just too fat! My own fault entirely. I would actually prefer second hand clothes for day to day. Why do we keep churning out new clothes when we've all got clothes we don't wear? That's a real debate - second hand versus new. What do you all think?
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Ooooh look!
I am a tall bird too and I think I feel a trip to Belfast coming on!
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No complaints about my height or endless legs, just I can't get clothes to cover it all
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I am also tall and finding clothes is a pain, especially tshirts as I want them to be longer in length as I also have the problem of being big up top ( which is a complete pain as well ). After tramming around the high street shops last winter looking for a new winter coat , I managed to get mine from Bon Marche. Fits like a dream and the sleeves are just the right length plus it was very affordable too. Generally I find the stock is more for the mature lady so I would welcome more clothing for the mid thirties age group ( should anyone from BM read this ! )
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Hi Froogs, I too have an inside leg of 33″ in flats and 35″ in heels and get really p**d off that I cant just order something online or from a catalogue and know it will fit. I look at trousers that are two inches too short and inspect the hem to see if there is enough to turn down to make them wearable. I don't know what the stores buyers are thinking, but by keeping the sizing/length the same as it was decades ago is a big mistake. The mainsteam stores are missing a trick by not including a tall section or just making a range that includes a 33 leg as standard. Our local BonMarche has just closed down, and become a charity shop which is such a shame as I discovered it last year and the tops etc were great. Hopefully some of the big chains out there will hear our cry soon! Thanks for your post. Jo
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I'm pretty tall as well (5ft 9″ in my stocking feet) - and big built to boot (I like to think my body shape is 'Amazonian'!!) - but don't have too many problems finding clothes to fit - even in charity shops or at boot sales.
I agree with some of the other commenters that Cotton Traders offer fabulous clothes that are timeless and classic and do so many different leg lengths in trousers that pretty much anyone could get suited from their range. They aren't the cheapest option but their clothes are fantastic quality and will last for years. Their call centre staff are lovely to deal with too. I can highly recommend them.
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I've found bonmarche v good when shopping on line, and very good service (You wouldn't believe the trouble I can get into with a zip) but the staff in the Whitby store reduced me to tears. Ebay is my friend if you keep an eye out. QVC has some good stuff sometimes, not inexpensive but some of their stuff from Kim & Co have gone for years for me (think it's now KNC but it's a long time since I indulged - clothes still going long, trousers v long and flattering). WS xxx
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Traditionally built you mean!
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I'm 5'9″ so not as tall as you, my problem is my length is in my body, not long legs but long body, hence a lot of trousers, especially jeans cut me up the middle, ouch! T shirts are too short in the body. Jeans sit on my hips, fashionable I know, trouble is the don't do up as that is the waist measurement. Help! Any body help. I went to buy some clothes, tops and trousers for work and ended up feeling as you did Froogs. I sympathise.
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I've totally given up trying to find anything to fit properly. Like you, I'm long legged. Most skirts/dresses are totally the wrong shape and too short, and as for trousers, forget it! Most are 27″-29″ inside leg, I need 33″. In addition, manufacturers seem to think that if you're over a certain age (and don't want the type of jeans that barely cover your privates) that you must be large of belly and need extra space in the waist. M&S is the only store whose jeans even remotely fit me, but they have to last for many years as I can't afford to replace them very often. In fact I think much of my wardrobe contents I've had for 20 years or more! One solution for those of us who are awkward shapes is to either sew/knit your own or alter clothes to fit.
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I'm in the US, and I'm 5'10″ without shoes (and I'm not very shapely, or long waisted). I find pants with 33″-36″ inseams on clearance at the JCPenney, Victoria's Secret, and Old Navy websites, all very reasonably priced. I, too, am modest. I love wearing crew-neck cotton T-shirts with long sleeves or 3/4 sleeves, and they're available at the JCPenney and Kohl's websites, often on sale, in solids or prints. Sewing, though, is my favorite way to flesh out my wardrobe, with A-line skirts and A-line jumpers (usually worn with the cotton crew-necks). I launder with cold water, and hang to dry, and these inexpensive clothes last long enough for me (I don't want or need my T-shirts to last for a decade).
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I hate clothes shopping! I only do it cos I have to wear them! I make things last for years and basically throw them out once they are all threadbare & holey! But when I buy I do shop in budget clothing shops for sure. I hardly ever op shop only as I don't get much time to walk round them. Once I finish work I like nothing more than just getting home, not walking round shops with a whole heap of other shoppers.
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Short busty girl here.
It has to be stretch all the way on the top; otherwise the sleeves are too long and the shoulders too wide.
Everything on the bottom looses 2 feet from the leg length. (I could send you all of the cut-offs if you like!)
Shopping is a very demoralizing exercise for me and I have got to the stage where I actually despise the thought of it.
I love quality clothes, but they are made to fit one body shape (mid-height, slim, leggy,small boobs) of which I am none. I am not even obese, I am merely small and curvy.
I have a gorgeous tall friend (of whom I am insanely jealous!!) who struggles like you, so I do have some sympathy 🙂
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Long Tall Sally only sell clothes for you tall people - not sure what their prices are like.
I've found, since getting nearer pensionable age, great difficulty getting clothes to fit me. I have narrow shoulders with a large bust, meaning the 'V' on V necks is way too low. I have very small hips so most trousers look like jodhpurs ! Just wish I could go to a class to learn how to alter garments properly.
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Hi Froogs, one thing that is important to me is fair trade clothing which is hard to match to a modest budget when there is so much cheap clothing on the market. Some homework on the manufacturing of budget clothing should be done to ensure that it is not made at someone elses expense.
The collapse at Bangladesh factory recently broke my heart and I now chose 2nd hand or Australian made (I live in Au) before chosing the cheap clothing made in unfair conditions.
Would be good if it was transparent on the label, however it would be good if we all tried to ask the question: Where is it made? Is this a “FAIR” price.
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Good point Hacky Shack!!!
It should be the first question we all ask.
I get so cranky when clothes previously made in Aus go offshore, drop the quality (yes RM Williams, I'm talking to you!!!) and still charge high prices, all so that few can make a more money.
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I'm 5'10″ and weighed around 120 until my late thirties, when life changed drastically and I began putting on weight. I have always had a hard time finding things I liked that fit and that I could afford. I have a shorter than average body, but long arms and legs. I came to hate shopping for clothes and on more than one occasion spent several hours trying things on, finding nothing, then left in tears of frustration and anger.
I was very poor for many years and so I began wearing men's jeans, which are sized with different leg lengths (apparently, women are all one height and punished if not by not finding clothes to fit). It helped that we lived way out in the country and I did not have to work in office-type situations (mostly farm-related work or raising my sons). I still wear men's jeans and also men's long-sleeve shirts and T-shirts, although I did find a line with nice-fitting women's Ts a few years ago (the chain is now out of business).
I was lucky to meet two women when I worked in a craft store. They were plus sizes and had gorgeous clothing. They told me where they got the outfits and that the owner sold her fabric remnants for $6 a metre!! I went down the next day and bought all the fabric I could afford. Found a money order on the weekend, couldn't remember what it was intended for, so cashed it in and went back and bought all the green fabric that was left!!
The owner lived in Bali 6 months a year (winter), as she had a disability and there is lots of ice here in Edmonton, Alberta. She hired local people there to hand-batik fabrics, then sew them into clothes from patterns she created. Her focus was on plus-sizes, as there was rarely anything attractive to be found. A few years later, I worked for her for a few months as she was shutting down her business. I bought over a thousand dollars worth of her clothing, all on sale. The only time in my life I've ever done that! It was so worth it, though.
After her shop closed, I had to resort to doing admin work and I had a great wardrobe ready to go. A bit unconventional for this town, but lovely all the same. I still wear those clothes. It's been a while since I bought the fabric and it's been in storage for much of that time; now I'm getting ready to make some new things with it.
I was going to say; when I was in my 20s and for many years after that, I sewed my skirts and dresses. I loved long ones and couldn't find them anywhere. We lived way out in the country, without electricity (love it!!) and I hand-sewed all that I made. Lots of fun!! ~ Linne
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I am 5'9″ and in my forties. I found it difficult to find clothes that fit (especially pants and sleeves), and I like to dress modestly. All this drove me to apply my sewing skills to start making my own clothes about 4-5 years ago, and I haven't looked back.
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Hi Bron
I'm one of lies B.B.W'S and I have found it hard for all of my life to find anything I can afford and like. Just recently started to make my own clothes to help with cost and like you I have reached the point where I despise shopping for this and shoes i have been blessed with problem feet yea me lol? I now only shop if I absolutely have to or if I happen by something that works and I can afford
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I am short and round and have troubles too. Pants are often too long, I have given up on finding dresses and you can never tell how tops will fit. I buy from budget stores and some second hand items. I even bought some ASOS tops this week, as four tshirts for $90 (45 pounds) in their summer sale will help with my summer outfits in a few months.
A hard issue is also dressing for your age. I don't want to be dressing like a twenty year old but aren't ready for frumpy pensioner wear yet.
Julie Q
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Pepperberry is an online / mail order firm that cuts for curvy women. They have a 50% sale right now.
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I am 6 feet tall and my beautiful daughter is even taller. Both of us carry a bit extra around the hips and have long torsos. Tall jeans are easy to find but both of us are professionals. When we visited the Netherlands we found tall leggings and bought a dozen pairs to wear with tunic tops(32 inches or longer). Target carries long tank tops and JC Penny's is hit or miss. But when it is a hit we buy all we can. Professionally; my suits tend to be skirts and a shell. I paid big bucks for a black suit skirt and jacket and had the jacket tailored to fit. I have worn this for years (it is professionally cleaned and worn for only VIP occasions). Our wardrobes are small and we share each other's finds. But we maximize it with scarves and costume jewelry. I may be wearing the same black slacks 4 times this week but with a different top (sleeves usually pushed up because they are too short) and different shoes and accessories to look completely different.Swimsuits are another problem.Our long torso crammed into a suit that doesn't pull down so low our bussoms are barely covered. When daughter was looking for a formal gown there were none to be found that fit her length. She is not freakishly tall (6 feet 1 inch) and reading other responses she is not such a rarity, why don't they make these.
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We had Bon Marche but it shut down last year when Peacocks went as it was in with them.I find shopping a chore too as have a strange shape. It is always when you need something it is the worst you try on loads of things and nothing looks right! I have slim feet too and find shoes a nightmare. Love pumps but so hard to find ones that do not gape at the sides. I am between a 6/6.5 or a 7 depends on the shop that drives me mad too anyone have the same problem with slim feet please let me know where you get decent shoes??? Thanks!
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I'm Dutch, and moreover, I come from the North of the country, where people are taller (I think only the Swedish beat us for average height!). In my hometown Groningen it was relatively easy and cheap to find clothes for my 5'11″, small bust, long torso (not so much for my wide hips-small waist combination). Now that I've moved to Belgium, where all women seem to be 5'5″ and big busted, it's a pain to go shopping! My clothes have to last a long time, because I just don't know if and when I will be able to replace them.
H&M seems to fit, but I don't like the quality of their clothes. A few weeks ago I went dress shopping for a wedding, and I tried ALL the dresses in 15 stores, before I found one that more-or-less fitted me. It'll be worn on formal occasions for the next 5 years at least.
What I did like about this year: the spring collections are all 'my' colours, so this sale period I will spend money on clothes that look good on me. I will select the classical cuts, calm prints, etc. and these clothes will look good on me for years!
Siebrie
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I'm Dutch, and moreover, I come from the North of the country, where people are taller (I think only the Swedish beat us for average height!). In my hometown Groningen it was relatively easy and cheap to find clothes for my 5'11″, small bust, long torso (not so much for my wide hips-small waist combination). Now that I've moved to Belgium, where all women seem to be 5'5″ and big busted, it's a pain to go shopping! My clothes have to last a long time, because I just don't know if and when I will be able to replace them.
H&M seems to fit, but I don't like the quality of their clothes. A few weeks ago I went dress shopping for a wedding, and I tried ALL the dresses in 15 stores, before I found one that more-or-less fitted me. It'll be worn on formal occasions for the next 5 years at least.
What I did like about this year: the spring collections are all 'my' colours, so this sale period I will spend money on clothes that look good on me. I will select the classical cuts, calm prints, etc. and these clothes will look good on me for years!
Siebrie
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I'm in the States and I'm plus sized (mostly from a large chest) and petite! Things in the regular plus range are too big on me and the petite are too small!
There's a US chain called Talbots.They are not cheap, but things in their outlet section of their website, as well as when they have 40% off sales (at least once a season) are when I buy things. I recently got a promotion at work and I have to dress better at least half of the time (when seeing clients and such). My formerly sufficient casual work wardrobe had to be supplemented. Plus a large number of my clothes were just plain worn out (I prefer to have a few good items than a lot of cheaply made ones). I was thrilled when someone in at an online forum suggested I check out Talbots. Sweaters are finally the proper length for my arms (too long before). This is the first time I've ever found jackets that fit me perfectly. They sell their suit pieces separately. I don't have to worry about having pants shortened. Their tops fit me perfectly. I keep getting compliments on my clothes and asked if I've lost weight! And all it took were some properly fitting clothes! I buy classics and wear them for years.
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