Height’s Not the Limit
I’ve always had a height complex when it comes to clothes shopping. I’m not that short, but I’m definitely not model tall in the least. This always scared me away from buying “tall girl” clothes, namely rompers, maxi dresses and high-waisted shorts.
Until I told myself to eff it and give them a chance.
What do you know? I actually liked them! 🙂
Ever since I stopped basing my clothes choices on my body type and focusing on the fit, I’ve found that it’s so much easier to shop 🙂
How I wear rompers:
1. With flat structured sandals for casual, everyday.
2. With wedge shoes and a blazer for *nicer* occasions.
3. Over my swimsuit to the pool 🙂
4. While holding baby puppies.
Maxi dresses:
(new from H&M- $30!)
1. I’m wary about the print. Huge, obnoxious prints make me look shorter, so I roll with solid colors or small prints.
2. Hair up, flat sandals, cuff bracelet.
3. Statement necklace, curly hair, wedge shoes.
4. To the pool/beach.
High-waisted shorts:
1. Last time I wore mine (which has been the only time so far), I rocked wedge shoes (the lower ones), a navy striped tank and an open white button-up shirt (similar to the pic above).
2. You can also rock them with a button up shirt and wedge shoes, or a tank and flats.
Going back to the fit, finding a good tailor in Tucson has been life-changing. I’ll find baller clothes on sale –recently it was a $380 BCBG dress for $60- and paid $20 to have it hemmed and fitted to perfection.
Do you take height into consideration when shopping? This week’s challenge: find something out-of-the-box that you wouldn’t normally wear, and give it a try! You may find a new favorite 🙂
What do you think about rompers, maxi dresses and higher-waisted shorts?
xoxo
Gina
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You look awesome in everything. I want a romper, looks so comfy! I tried one on that didn’t fit well, need to look for more.
I totally agree, Gina!
Being a short girl as well AND being a girly girl, I have always died about rompers and maxi dresses. I had the mentality that short girls can’t wear that stuff, but then an idea popped into my head.
Wait a second, I am my own person, I will wear what I want!
*typing this, I am wearing a fushia maxi dress and Looooovin it!
I have the hardest time shopping for rompers and maxi dresses… my waist is is a strange place and never matches up with their proportions!
tailor!
I definitely take height into consideration, but mostly in terms of fit – I’m 5’10” with a long torso, so rompers don’t usually work for me! Unless you like sporting a wedgie… lol
LOL
Yep 5’11” girl here and I can’t imagine the romper…it makes me wiggle in my seat just thinking about it! Hahahaha!
haha!
I’m 5’10 with very long legs and a very short torso. High waisted shorts make me look like Steve Urkel. Rompers look like children’s clothing on me. Maxi dresses never hit the floor. But hey, I can still rock wedges and heels with my love because he’s 6’8″!!! I’ll always be “short” to him! 🙂
I *almost* bought a romper yesterday but held back. And still think I’m too short for a maxi dress (at 5’4″). You can rock anything though!
I’m 5’2 and the only thing I wear come summer are maxi dresses. just make sure they’re not TOO long so youre not swimming in it and you’re good….honestly you can just trim the bottom off most styles, but I find the ones at forever 21 have good lengths.
You should check out Athleta.com. They sell maxidresses in petite sizes and have built in bras that are actually sufficient (at least for me–I’m a B.) I’m 4’11 and LOVE my Athleta maxidress–I wish I could buy 20 more!
I went shopping on the weekend and got really down on myself because every.single.dress I tried on didn’t fit right on me.
I plan on being consistent with some workouts and healthy eats & hope that when I go shopping again in a month, that it will be a much happier shopping trip!
Thanks for these fashion posts Gina!
I ALWAYS take height into consideration while shopping. My problem is I’m 5’11.5″ with an inseam of 36.5 inches. I tried on a knit cotton skirt the other day that was mid-thigh, I haven’t worn something that short since before my oldest was born almost 11 years ago. It looked nice, this week I’m going to go buy some material for myself so I can make some.
I certainly do since I am only 5’2″, I want to try a maxi dress but am too scared! Thanks for all the great fashion tips 🙂
high waisted shorts=my favorite summertime evening piece. paired with a fun blouse, earrings, and killer shoes (heels work but I like to play up how short I am an wear fun flats).
maxi dresses are my life…toss a tank or a loose long sleeved top over, they become awesome skirts. you can wear them with heels, flats, anywhere, any time. I’m usually rocking them with my hair down, big shades, and beaded flat sandals. you can get awesome cheap ones at forever 21 ad H&M, but my favorite “splurge” maxis come from T-Bags.
Height is a challenge, b.c I’m tall. And knee-length or above the knee makes skirts or dresses that look wholesome in the catalogue look x-rated on me!
This is my problem too! I’m 5’9 1/2 and like EVERYTHING looks scandalous on me. Grr.
P.S> U should do a post on under garments (wow, that sounds dated!)…like strapless bras and the like. I’m still pretty clueless in this area:)
I have nothing against those types of clothes, I just have not found any that fit well — I especially do not like rompers with elastic at the waist. I agree with you that a good tailor is what you need to find — I’m pretty sure that is a Tim Gunn tip from his old style show 😉
Maxi dresses are a must! They are so easy to throw on and go! 🙂
I’m 4’11” and i wore maxi dresses last summer and LOVED it. I never thought i could pull the look off but paired with a cute wedge and a short jean jacket i even wore it to work (my work environment is pretty casual).
I’m defintely going to try the romper and high waisted shorts this summer! Thanks for the advice!
I’m 4’11” and tiny in general but with a few well-placed curves that clothing makers refuse to accept in petite ladies. It’s assumed that we’re either a mini blob or built like a twelve-year-old boy. Hello, having a waist and a butt is a good thing! I used to get down about not being able to find stuff in my size but over the past year or two I finally started to realize that a tailor can work serious magic. It’s made getting dressed so much more fun!
It’s not so much height as it is I have a really short torso and just lack curves in general, so high-waisted anything on me can look silly, like hiked up to my boobs, silly.
I do want to try a romper, though! Although, I’m buying tons of casual summer clothes that I only get to wear on the weekends, so the cheaper the better.
Not a fan of Maxi dresses. I feel I look dowdy in them.
I’m really tiny too, but I love all of these styles.. especially rompers and maxi dresses! I think they’re so cute!
Your hair looks so pretty in that first pic! I just got my first maxi dress, I was afraid of being too short too, but I paired it with some high wedges and it looked great! Perfect for summer 🙂
Super cute in the romper!
I’m a tall girl and there are just as many intimidating things for us… ie I’m not always comfortable in a heel over 2″ because I feel like an amazon woman! I’m loving that you consider the romper a tall girl thing, I see it as a shorter girl thing… I feel like I’m all legs and its obscene in a romper 😛
My recent pet peeve – I’m just the height that the regular length of pants are just a smidge too short but the long length is long enough that I need to hem.
I am taller than the average women (6 foot) and have really long legs, so I struggle to find pants and shorts. The pants are usually too big in the hips or too short and the shorts I have to be careful not to get too short since my long legs make it look like I am already showing a lot of skin.
I’m really really short so I can’t really wear maxi dresses not even with really high wedges. A regular dress on a regular height girl might work as a maxi dress for me. I went into Express recently and tried on a bunch of stuff that I’m convinced they designed for taller girls. However, they are one of few stores that actually have pants in short sizes for people like me so I still love them.
From one lil thang to another, I love this post! I am only 5’3″ but I “look” taller, for some reason. I wear whatever I want, generally, except that some things just cannot be made to fit shorter gals. Recently I have found more maxi dresses that fit than any past season, so I’m stocking up! My favs are horizontal striped ones (I know, I know, but with a slim cut and some stretchy material, they lengthen, I swear!) and solid colors with detail at the neckline or straps. I haven’t delved into the romper style at all, and I just don’t like the way high-waisted shorts look on me. I think they look fab on others, though. Maybe I’ll be singin’ a different tune in a few months; isn’t that the way it works with fashion? Lovin’ this fashion section, Miss Gina!
I am in this same camp of not getting clothing that is meant for taller people. I have a larger build in addition to being short, so these clothes look terrible on me and make me look wide and short. I’ve stuck to clean lines — straight jeans, a-line skirts that go just above the knee — and NEVER crops of any kind.
i love rompers!! so easy and comfy! i also love maxi dresses but haven’t found one that fits my body well. i feel like a lot of them make me look preggy… so still out there hunting for the right one.
I LOVE rompers!! I just bought one. I have always been afraid of maxi dresses because I am 4’9″. So yes, I’m short! haha But, I decided a few weeks ago that I am going to get one this summer and rock it!
So, how tall are you?
I am 5’10 so tall is my only option, and I can’t wear rompers because I find one piece outfits like pull because my torso is long, but also are a bit TOO short for being 33 😉 And maxi dresses don’t go all the way to the ground, so those don’t look so hot on me either…..oh well….I got some great jeans though 🙂
100% take my height into account. At nearly 5’11” there is no way I can wear many things that shorter girls can just off the rack because they are way too short..the legs, the rise of pants <—(automatic low riders b/c 1 inch in the rise is a HUGE difference from say where it will hit me and hit another girl who's 5'2" so to speak)
And also, have a size women's 12 shoe. So yes. That totally impedes having a shoe addiction.
I love my height but buying off the rack is not always easy for pants or shoes. And sweaters and shirts, let's just say the 3/4 length "Cropped arms" is kinda my look. haha!
I’m also short. I’ve tried a few different rompers and I still haven’t found that I love on me yet. I love the one you have on.
it’s from express- they have some super cute ones!
Hee! I never thought of rompers as tall girl’s territory! A good friend wears them all the time, looks absolutely adorable in them and is teeny, tiny short! I’m tall (5’11) and there are definitely issues on this end of the spectrum for sure! Trying to find workout tops that are long enough is TOUGH. I think I have shorter legs though, because I don’t tend to have a problem with pants length. Then again I tend to roll in yoga pants pretty much 80% of the time.
I love your blog and read it multiple times a day 🙂
I actually am 6ft tall and have a hard time finding rompers and high waisted shorts that (a) fit me with out looking to tight (can only buy rompers that are strapless b/c my upper body is so long) and (b) giving me a massive wedgie! Your blog made me giggle a little b/c I guess we all have probs no matter our size 🙂
I’m in the same boat – I’m so short I don’t feel like I can pull it off. They look so cute on you! Next time I’m at the mall I”m going to try it out now. 🙂
dooooo it 🙂
I’m 5’6″, which isn’t short, but even I am intimidated by all of those outfits you mentioned! But you look amazing in the romper!!! My only frustration with them is, well, how do you go to the bathroom? It just seems kind of annoying to unbutton it, unless it’s super stretchy. Did the H+M maxi dress fit you as is or did you get it tailored? Whenever I try them on they are always too long.
yes i have to unbutton it.. while wearing a blazer, too, it’s a giant pain.
the h&m length was perfect! it was very surprising 🙂
I am reading through the comments and feeling the love from my fellow tall-girls 🙂 At 5’11” (and probably pushing 6′ but don’t want to admit it), it is SO HARD to find clothes to fit right.
Jeans can be an absolute nightmare, what with the 9-billion different rises out now…and yes, most of them are too low. When I find a style of jeans that fits me correctly, it is my new best friend…and I pray they don’t ever discontinue it!
Shirts are a big problem, too. I have a long torso and a small waist. I have had very little luck finding tshirts that I like the way they fit. They are either too short or are shaped like a box and make me feel like a slouch, so I won’t wear either of those. I have loved the long shirt trend that went through, and believe me I was in 7th heaven when that was all the rage. ONE IN EVERY STYLE, AND EVERY COLOR PLEASE!! You can still find some now, but they are not as prevalent.
It probably doesn’t help that I am severly fashion challenged;-) I would be happing in my running shoes and sporty clothes every day, but when the occasion comes to dress up then I want to look cuttteeee! I just don’t have the best eye to see it. Not to mention that we live in the absolute middle of nowhere-ville, at least 2 hours from any shopping. *yes, please shed tears for me now*
I am 5’9″ with VERY long legs. I CANNOT bring myself to purchase or even try on skinny jeans. I just can’t! Partly b/c the last time I wore them I teased my hair and tight rolled my jeans 🙂
I’m short too and I definitely feel like some styles are off limits for me (like rompers and maxi dresses). I actually just tried on a romper while shopping today, but it looked terrible on me! 😛 You look amazing in yours though, so I guess I just need to shop around for one with a better fit.
You look great, Gina!! There a lot of fashionable items that I won’t even try on since I’m only 5’4, but now you’ve changed my mind about it. I think maxi dresses are fabulous, I just might have to go out and search for one now 😉
I have yet to find a maxi that is actually long enough for me! I’m 5’11” and they all barely hit ankle length on me. 🙁 sad.face.
i think rompers and maxi dresses look better on shorter women! I’m 5’8″, every time I try one on I think I am just too tall and stand out to much, or too much leg in a romper… maybe I should give it another shot 🙂
I am just not fashionable in general, on top of being 5’1”. 🙂 I definitely agree that getting things hemmed is a must – you can really change the look of a dress if it’s the right length!
I came home with a maxi dress from my sister, since she wasn’t going to wear it anymore. The problem? At 5’7″, I’m STILL too tall for it! It comes awkwardly above my ankles.
I have height issues because average-height clothes are a bit too short and tall-height clothes tend to be a bit too long. I just have to keep shopping until I find something that fits right.
For the first time (ever??) I started getting into casual sundresses. And SHORT dresses! I’ve been self-conscious of my muscular legs most my life, but now I’m embracing them. But now I have a new problem–most of these shorter styles popular these days are TOO SHORT. Like, almost obscene. Like I can’t bend over whatsoever without being inappropriate.
I am very short, but I’m the queen of rompers. Love ’em!!!! I have a leopard print and a crazy red flowered romper. I love taking fashion risks. I’m also a big fan of mixing inexpensive pieces with things from Target or other discounted places. For example, for my medical school graduation I wore a Forever 21 polka dotted short dress with $200 Camper shoes from Amsterdam. Best style idea ever! Love this page….keep up the fashion posts!
I’m 5’3″, so I keep my height in mind when shopping, too. It’s mostly only a problem when it comes to things being too long (especially jeans). I’m far more conscious of my curviness when it comes to shopping.
The way your hair is curled in the top picture is really cute. Have you posted how you do this before? Did you use a flatiron? I have very curly hair that I straighten sometimes, but it’d be cute to do just the bottom half like you have if I’m going out. Any tips? Thanks 🙂
thank you! i’ll do a video post on it- hopefully this weekend!