[Ehill]

I am trying to do a pull myself out of the post baby rut and am gradually getting there...... A few kg's have moved, hair done, teeth whitened, new bras, new skincare so skin is looking good....next step is some new clothes.

I am generally a fashion loving person but most of the horrible trends in the past few years combined with breastfeeding, stomach rolls, and just no time have left my wardrobe looking pretty sad and conservative! Yes, yes there are 3/4 pants in there.

So I am 178cm or 5ft10 or 11 so not freaky tall but taller than most women. To the casual observer I am 'slim' which is great and I am happy with being a size 10 to 12. But it is SO hard finding the right clothes for my figure. People think tall and slim is easy but in reality my shoulders would be at home on a rugby field and my hips are....well child bearing hips! You just dont notice how 'big' I am because it is all in proportion.

So tall ladies, where do you shop?

My biggest issues are:

Tops that are too short. Noone needs to see my muffin top or butt crack and I am always leaning over getting kids out of car etc and I HATE having my top ride up.

My stomach is yuck, lumpy, rolly and best hidden. But it is still slimmish (ie the waist goes in) so I dont mind slim tops but not clingy.

DRESSES! I love a good dress and look quite good in one. But the waisted ones mean the waist is in the wrong spot as I am too tall for it. Short ones make me look like a hooker as they are too short, Maxi dresses make me look like a giant tent.

My feet are huge. Size 11. Bane of my life. My nickname at uni college was flipper .

So any tips from tall shoppers would be great!

[AllegraM]

I'' 185cm and feel your pain re tops being too short. I like the plain Country Road 3/4 sleeve tops. They have a bit of length and are nicely fitted without being tight. They even are still fitting over my pregnant belly. Also, I have found Leona dresses at Myer have the waist in the right spot for tallies.. Their maxi dresses are pretty long too.

I also shop online a lot from specialty tall shops. Can't help with shoes as I am a 9 so can get them off the rack.

[glasnost]

I second Country Road- they seem to design with tall people in mind. They also do size 42 shoes.
Long Tall Sally in the UK.
Gap- I order online from the states. The shipping is a killer but not to bad if you go through HopShopGo or similar. The do tall sizes in most styles and often have 30% sales.
I will be stalking this thread especially for big shoe ideas!

[timtam92]

i agree re country road. I'm 187cm tall so find it hard at the best of times! Susan even have some good stuff if you don't want to pay too much. I don't really buy dresses as i have big boobs and being tall it's hard to find a nice one to fit. joanne mercer are really good for size 11 feet (which is what i have!). Ecco shoes are also good if you like more comfortable (they have some nice ones this season - which isn't always the case as they can be a big dagga!) If you like to shop on line for clothes, "next" have a tall ladies range. They are pretty good - based in the uk. There is also a site call vertically blessed - don't like all of their stuff, but their jeans are good - they are too long for me - i've never had that problem before!

[lottie9]

Country road is generally good. I find that Trenery also has some longer tops/ shirts (although some of them tend to be more boxy).

American Apparel chemises/ tank tops are great for putting under other tops to cover the jeans/ top gap.
http://store.americanapparel.com.au/6364.html

Lucky Brand jeans are great, they have good cuts and long/ very long leg lengths. I also find their tops quite long and well-fitting.

I have found pages like this quite useful for general advice
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/tv_and_radi...ear_index.shtml

After I lost quite a bit of weight I went for nearly a full day shopping with a friend, who made me try on heaps of stuff, including things I never would have picked for myself. I found that I needed to really look at what suited me and how I want to look now. I ended up coming away with several new outfits that gave me the start of a new wardrobe.

Have fun!

[Banana Pancakes]

Wow, you could be me though Im only 174cm. My muffin top and wobbly belly is the bane of my existence!

I find the tops from Sussan fit length wise. I also like their pants, they often fit me. Big W skirts are often longer so they fit me sometimes.

I live in my crocs in summer, though they do make my feet look bigger. I usually go for the Mary Jane styles. I have also bought shoes from endless (not sure if its still around?) and they have a great variety for size 11.

OT, but can I ask where you got your teeth whitened? I would love to do this!

[Mamanuka]

I am also 178cm. I go for tunic tops or wear short dresses as tunics. Layers are good too – try a long tank top with something average length over it. You can get long jeans online from Jeans West or Just Jeans. And if you don’t mind ordering from the UK I really recommend Dorothy Perkins – I miss them!

My other tip is basic sewing. I almost never make anything new, but you can get pants with generous / rolled up hems and take them down (no machine required), and convert dresses into long skirts if you want. I buy a lot of 2nd hand – greener and also cheaper if I screw it up

Good luck, looking forward to seeing what other tips people have!

[Ehill]

[quote name='Banana Pancakes' date='12/12/2012, 02:47 PM' post='15152542'
OT, but can I ask where you got your teeth whitened? I would love to do this!
[/quote]

I buy Crest Strips from ebay. They are sold in drugstores in the US and work great. Although you do have to be dedicated to vanity......wearing a strip on your teeth for 30mins a day with vile tasting bleach running down your throat isnt for the faint hearted! Makes a huge difference to your face. My number 1 anti aging tip!

Thank you everyone for your tips so far. There is some stuff in there I hadn't tried yet like Leona dresses which I will check out. I do shop at Country Road but just havent been for ages, will give it another go. Gap is another favourite from when I lived in the UK and agree their clothes are great for tallies.

As for jeans, well funnily enough I never have too much problem. I actually feel sorry for short people! I have loads of Gap pairs, a Citizens of Humanity pair, Zara and Country Road.

Anyone else?

[The Old Bag]

www.nextdirect.com.au has lots of inexpensive options and does Tall cuts in some pants, dresses and tops, though at 181cm I worry the pants might actually be too long for you, they're very long on me.

They also have size 42 shoes. It's all cheap and reasonable quality, with free shipping, I recommend it!

[Hutchess]

I agree, I can't go past Country Road tops. You sound just like me. 178cm tall and size 10 - 12!
I buy all of my jeans from American Eagle in the States. They are so cheap, so soft and fast postage. The most expensive are about $39 US. They have various lengths. The extra long are too long for me. The straight fit are fabulous, as are the skinny.

I also agree with Ecco shoes, really really comfy and they make great boots. Country Road also do some great ballet flats in larger sizes.

Target also do some great singlets (if you wear them), they are really long, and finally I went to K Mart for the first time in years last week and they have some great plain t's for $6, also long and great to have in your cupboard!!

Good luck and good on you for doing this for yourself!!