Diary of a Tall Fashionista: Tall Jeans for Tall Genes

By: Tiffany DeLangie - a fashion writer for Tall Clothing Mall



So I finally took my Italy trip. While I realize you don’t know me nor do you know I’ve been planning a trip to Italy since before the brown/powder blue color combo became popular, I felt the need to convey that it’s something I have wanted to do for a long time. A friend of mine made a great suggestion- look for “material” while in Europe for my fashion articles. What a great idea.

While I am very patriotic and love America more than I love my new Rock and Republics, we are not known for being fashion forward. We shop at mall stores and end up wearing what we see in the storefront of our local Old Navy. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing…I think taking some risks is in order. Flared jeans have become the norm. Sure there are still a few women who refuse to give up the “mom jeans” look, but in general, everyone wears flared jeans, or at least everyone used to. In Europe one of the biggest differences I noticed was that everyone wears straight leg jeans. Maybe all of you knew that flared jeans were “out.” But I did not. Now don’t go burning all your flared jeans just yet. While tall flared jeans may not be as popular as they once were, this fashionista still believes they are the most flattering on almost all body types including tall women--i.e. I’m not cleaning out my closet any time soon.

I’ve already established that we tall women now have tall jeans in a plethora of designer brands. With that come a variety of silhouettes suitable for tall women. There are trouser, high waist, pencil, skinny, straight leg, boot cut, and more. Because we are tall, we can get away with nearly all of these styles (I know it didn’t feel lucky in 8th grade when we were taller than all the boys). However true that may be, until I went to Europe I didn’t see many straight leg (or pencil or matchstick or cigarette- whatever you want to call them) jeans. Mostly I see low rise flares (thankfully, the trend is higher rise because I am sick of panty peek and even sicker of crack- seriously, just say no!). So seeing mostly straight jeans while in Europe was like a wake up call. You may be asking “what are straight leg jeans?” It’s a little easier t o describe what they’re not…as in, not skinny jeans which typically have about a 13 inch leg opening, but they are a little slimmer than boot cut which usually have about an 20 inch opening.



I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again- we are blessed to have such long legs, tall frames, sinewy builds, long inseams…you get my point! We should be working it, right? Of course right! And the best way to work it? In a pair of long straight leg dark denim jeans. The thing that excites me about tall straight leg jeans is that they are sophisticated, whether dressed up with heels or dressed down with flats. They make tall women look fashionable without trying. I try. But I try to look like I’m not trying. And don’t lie; I know I’m not alone! That’s the beauty of tall straight leg jeans--you really don’t have to try. Throw on a white tee, metallic flats, and a funky necklace or a men’s shirt, a scarf, and a pair of classic converse and you’re instantly chic in a low maintenance kind of way-- Which if you ask me is the best way. The same rules apply for tall straight leg jeans as other styles- darker wash is typically more slimming, wear an appropriate rise, and ladies, please, I beg of you, do not wear high waters. While I fear the day of that 80s trend’s imminent return, that day is not today! We have inseams up to 39 inches now (I hope I have a little girl one day so instead of saying “I walked 3 miles to school in knee deep snow each morning,” I can say “I wore 32 inch inseams and was constantly asked “where’s the flood”…). So choose the appropriate inseam for the type of shoe you’ll be wearing. So the moral of the story is to break out of your comfort zone (be that super skinny jeans or ultra flared jeans) and try something new. I’m making it easier for you by pointing in you the right direction to find a fabulous pair of flattering, tall straight leg jeans. No excuses! And, you’re welcome.

For women's tall jeans visit Tall Clothing Mall.