The online international fashion & lifestyle resource for tall girls and women

Seriously, it’s actually a newsflash – if you’re not in the UK then you probably don’t know who Kate Silverton is. She’s the 5ft10, effortlessly stylish and mega-successful news anchor from BBC Breakfast News.

Have you ever seen such a fuss over nothing? For the last 3 days the British newspapers have been all over the story that Kate, whilst interviewing the Nolan Sisters who had commented on their foot size (one is a size 3), had mentioned that she had Size 9 feet. Apparently an uncomfortable silence fell upon the entire studio, followed by repetition of the fact (“Size 9!!!” ) and ‘Wow’s’ from the dated 80’s singing group, before Bill (Kate’s trusty and reliable co-presenter) justified it with “She’s very tall!”.  If it’s not bad enough that the English press can’t get over it, it seems from a quick search on google that websites from Hawaii to Japan and Europe have now picked up on the..er.. story (really? Is it really a story?).

So many ridiculous points about this situation I don’t know where to start but what annoys me most? Why did Bill have to JUSTIFY her big feet by  saying she was ‘really tall’! What does it matter? And not everyone with big feet is a giant too! Having said this, I have size 11 feet and I’m 6ft2 – surely Bernie Nolan would have had a stroke if I was presenting BBC news.

Maybe this hoo-ha is a good thing which will make girls and women with larger feet feel more normal. Kate is just admitting to joining the 2.2million women in the UK with a size 9 foot or over – a fact which I know will shock many of you. Yes, we flipper-footed women are taking over the world.

I’m feeling like an old Granny right now. I usually consider myself to be very aware of new trends and brands. I am the one who knows about that obscure flip-flop, the hot NYC handbag designer or even the name of the Obama’s dog. I know those silly random facts as I have some weird ability to retain lots of information, providing it’s generally useless (this skill did not extend to exams unfortunately). Hollister? Who-ister?  Never heard of them. Oh God, is this the first step on a slippery slope in to middle age?

My (23 year old) housemate had this fab t-shirt hanging up to dry and I noticed it was longer than usual, with overall larger proportions. I tried to persuade her to sell it to me, assuming it was some weird Aussie brand she had bought with her from the Antipodes, before she told me to nip down Westfield (the latest monster shopping centre in London, for those of you non-locals) and pick one up.

Yes, it appears Hollister Co, or HCO, or just plain Hollister as it is usually referred to, completely passed me by. Now of course I am far better informed and know it’s an American Lifestyle Brand which is an off-shoot from Abercrombie and Fitch. Really? Has anyone over 5ft4 or larger than a size 10 shopped in AF recently? Maybe it’s just me but their women’s clothes might just fit one of my legs and even in the gents styles I’m a XXL (I’m 6ft2 and around a UK Size 16 - not usually an XXL!).

Despite being the second most popular brand of US teenagers in 2008, it was only in October of this year that the company came to England with it’s first store in Brent Cross, shortly followed by BlueWater, Westfield and Southampton. With plans to open several new stores across the UK this year, Hollister is not only affordable but also accessible.

So, as I was saying, Abercrombie is sized for midgets who don’t eat. Hollister t-shirts, however, seem to be cut perfectly for tall girls and women! With good length, shoulder width and excellent deep v-necks in many styles (perfect for tall girls with broad shoulders to balance the body shape), there’s lots of colour and design variations for only around £20 per shirt.

Loving the Hollister this Summer. I’ve already got three. Maybe the Oh-So-Sexy, sepia surf adverts are working too well on me. Do I resemble a Californian surf chick? Maybe.. from a large distance, with a substantial amount of fake tan, providing you squint….

Why don’t you go and have a look? If you’re miles away from any of their stores, they also do mail order online from www.hollisterco.com

Finally, after years losing the race in the fashion stakes, Long Tall Sally has come up with something wearable…. even more, it’s desirable!

LTS has spent the last few years designing frumpy, dowdy clothes and as the only high street store specialising in clothes for tall women, this is annoying to all of us girls over 5ft9.  If the designs were hideous enough, the cut was phenomenally bad meaning it’s been well over 5 years since I’ve shopped there.

Imagine by surprise when the Summer catalogue drops through my letterbox (yes, 5 years not having shopped with them but they STILL send me marketing literature. Desperate?) and there is a fab dress on the front cover. What’s more, it’s a maxi dress! The bain of tall women everywhere, the maxi dress is one style that often eludes very tall girls as they are just never long enough. And nothing looks worse than an ‘almost’ maxi dress.

Anyway, back to the dress in question. It’s blue (my favourite colour) and has a bohemian edge to it, fitting in with this seasons trends.  It’s not that cheap at £75.00 but I think it could be a good buy.

www.longtallsally.com

Seems like they’ve decided you need to treat yourself over at Amazona Style.  From tomorrow, Friday 29th May until Sunday 31st May they are running a PayDay Perfection Offer in aid of our favourite day of the month when, momentarily, all your financial woes are invisible…

For this weekend only you can get 20% off anything and everything, including sale stock and there is not limitation on the discount - the more you spend, the more you save!

Whether you want to pick up a pair of fabulous designer shoes in a large size (UK 8-12, US 10-14), a British designed handbag, cute little clutch or even some jewellery from the cult celebrity favourite, Dogeared, you can get it all at heavily discounted prices. Why don’t you pop over to Amazona Style quick smart (it’s only on for 2 days!) and treat yourself… You deserve it!

Lisa Leslie with Barack Obama

The Amazona team were overjoyed to hear President Obama’s first comments on meeting the stunning US women’s basketball star Lisa Leslie (6ft 5).  Apparently he opened with “Oh My Gosh, You know I love tall women” when he met Lisa during the Inauguration. As if to prove his sincerity, he also pointed out his statuesque wife, Michelle, walking past by saying “Now you know I love tall women, right?”!

We know Michelle Obama is a fantastic role model for tall women and that Barack is the best thing to happen to the World for a very long time, but now we love him even more for celebrating tall women! That man just keeps on creeping closer to perfection every week.  Now where do I find a man like him….

Photo credit: AP Photo/Ron Edmonds

…if only!!

Firstly apologies to all those tall girls who thought all their Christmases had come at once reading that title. If I were Prime Minister, it’d be the first law I’d pass.

Now, I know I’m not the only tall woman to think there is a problem… What’s the deal with you half-grown, fairy-sized women taking all the big boys??   Why do you see so many tall men (I’m classifying this as 6ft3 and over for my purposes) dating short women?

Today I saw the latest pictures of Christina Ricci with her comedian fiance, Owen Benjamin, who, at 6ft6, saying he towers over her is a tad of an understatement.  Obviously, they are madly in love and well done them for finding each other in this cynical, transient world. However, it does also leave me furiously wracking my brains wondering why so often the phenomenon of massive–him/mini-her.

If you see almost any picture of a US NBA star with their wife (such as Kevin Garnett or Kobe Bryant, pictured here), they always seem to tower metres above.  Even our English rugby stars are the same – just take a look at Simon Shaw!

Kevin Garnett & Wife

As a tall woman you notice the same everyday in the street. Why is this? What is it that makes many very tall men date women so much shorter than themselves?  Aidan and Carrie – yes, it may be TV fiction but it’s everyday reality for us amazonian girls.

Kobe Bryant & Wife

Do petite women somehow make men feel more masculine?

Is is that us tall girls emasculate men? Or Intimidate them? If you’re a tall woman you will be told on an almost daily basis that you are ‘scary’ or ‘intimidating’ by some (usually male) stranger.  Quite why people feel this way, and also feel bold enough to tell me, confounds me.  Surely a very tall man is not intimidated by a tall woman? It’s not as though we are taller than them! (Generally!)

Well,  if this is the reason then you tall girls have to be thankful that you are not stuck with these way too metro-sexual, insecure boys. Quite frankly, any man who feels less masculine in my presence can remove himself from the vicinity and take some therapy.  I like my men to be secure in their themselves and their masculinity.

Maybe it’s simply that smaller women are easier to throw around the bedroom?

At 6ft2, I admit that there are not many men who have managed to throw me around the room in a moment of passion (some, but not many ) and considering I have often dated professional sportsmen, that’s saying something. However,  one of my male friends (6ft3) is adamant that tall men and very short women do not, ergonomically.. er… work either.

Is it some kind of subconcious, genetic correction in the mind of these short women that makes them pursue tall men?

Perhaps some short women, either conciously or subconciously, actively seek out and pursue these hero-sized men in a basic biological attempt to ‘improve’ their offspring ? (What man really resists when it comes to a woman being single-minded enough to get them?) With tall people being perceived as more successful, intelligent and earning more than their shorter colleagues, wouldn’t you want to increase your children’s potential by ..er.. marrying up?

On this point, I think a strong factor could be the determination of many a shorter-than-average woman. Many girls I meet who are more ‘shortie’ than ‘supermodel’ in their proportions are polished in the skills used to get what they want in many areas of life. Therefore maybe they are just using their feminine whiles to get those big boys.

Or could it be that tall women draw attention away from tall men?

Personally, this would be the reason I probably agree with most. Think about it. If you’re a very tall man or woman, then everywhere you go you attract attention. People are drawn to look at you. Now, if you have a very tall man and very tall woman together, I reckon the very tall woman would gain more attention since it is further from the ‘norm’.  Therefore, if a tall man dates a tall woman, he has to relinquish some of the attention that he is used to getting.

Whatever the reason, I wish some politician would pass a law stopping these altitudious, alpha men being snapped up by all those diminutive divas. Otherwise I’m going to have to admit defeat, marry a short man and have wedding photo’s that will look just plain ridiculous!

There are many things which I cannot live without. If you ask me for my top three desert island must-haves, I’d be at a complete loss. I’d be paralysed with the infinite choice. All I know for sure is that lip balm and a kikoi would be there.

I should be the founding member of LBA (Lip Balmers Anonymous) – I am never without some tube, pot or applicator. It’s never coloured, always clear and ruins my day if I leave the house without it.  Honestly, I’m more upset if I find myself lip balm-less than if I’ve forgotten my mobile phone.

OK, so weird lip-moisture issues aside, the other item I absolutely cannot live without is a kikoi (pronounced  ‘kick-oy’).  If you don’t know what I’m talking about then listen up! A kikoi was originally a mans sarong from the East Coast of Africa but has now evolved into a multi-functional garment for both sexes and for all ages.

A typical kikoi

Celebrities are also fans of this African essential. Keira Knightly and Kate Hudson are always spotted in theirs. Even Brad Pitt sported one in Vanity Fair!

Traditionally woven on looms in Africa in 100% cotton, they are brightly coloured, nearly always 60 inches by 40 inches square  and lightweight, so they dry super-fast .   Most commonly used as a unisex sarong, this nifty bit of fabric becomes irreplaceable to any who have had one – I used mine endlessly:
-     when I’m just out of the shower and running around the house
-    On the beach as a windbreak, beach towel, head rest or picnic blanket
-    As a shawl or scarf (great as a muffler for skiing!)
-    At home as a table cloth, chair throw or cushion cover
-    As a temporary cover for the back seat of my car when I’ve got dogs with me
-    As a baby blanket

I always keep at least one kikoi in the back of my car for ‘emergency use’ and you’d be surprised how often it’s called on!

For under £20.00, you could grab one of these and try it for yourself.  Do make sure you’re buying from a responsible and ethical supplier as this is one product where you could really make a difference to a small industry in a third world country.

So, if you’re shooting off on holiday soon, pick one up and start a life-long passion!

Kikoi’s are currently on sale at Amazona Style (including fab new beach kikoi’s featuring ultra-lightweight towelling on one side!).

My feet are so tired they feel as though I’ve run London Marathon (which I didn’t). This is an unfortunate side effect of my new weekend job in a restaurant. Love the job but my feet need a bit of T.L.C.  by Sunday night. The implication of this work-induced injury is that Mondays are now a No Heel Zone! Yes, really.. you heard me correctly. I have resorted to flats on Mondays to give me toes a little time-out.  Despite being a true high heels lover, I have found some flats which don’t make me look like a Yorkshire housewife (I know!? How can this be possible, you say?!). Here’s my favourites at the moment:
£83.00

On Sale at £49.00

On Sale at £59.50

All from Amazona Style.

What is it with the Apprentice? It’s like a caricature of women in business – either they are are more aggressive than a Rottweiler with PMT or they are so over-emotional they’d give Gwyneth Paltrow a run for her money doing an Oscar’s acceptance speech.

Everytime a new series turns up, it seems the women follow some kind of un-written script and immediately slot into one of these stereotypes. Once they have done that, you have to cringe through the first few tasks where they then begin arguing, b*tching and incompetently muddling their way through. Ultimately loosing the battle of  Men ‘V’ Women. Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not obssessed with winning said battle but if we do loose, I want to loose for the right reasons.

My worry is that those who believe everything their TV tells them might believe that this is actually a true representation of women in business and that just isn’t true! Women have incredible strengths, tolence and a huge range of  talents. However as a young woman in business,  it can sometimes be extremely difficult and that is without some of your colleagues making some crack about you being cold-hearted, ruthless and ineffective. Of course, on top of this you then add the fact that I’m not only a young woman but that I’m very tall as well and that has people immediately making assumptions and shoving me into a box that not only doesn’t fit but that I can’t seem to ever escape.

So, being seen as professional woman was already sometimes challenging and then, as if she is the poster child of my worst nightmare, along came 6ft tall Debra Barr.  She is very quickly proving to be the sterotype incarnate of exactly what everyone expected and for me, the epitome of everything I abhor about the worst of women in business. It’s almost like she feels that she must ‘act like a man’ (as she must see it) and overly develop traits often more associated with a city trading shark. Throughout this series, she has shown little talent for anything other than an aggression and shown herself to be a cold person who domineers, bitches and lies her way through tasks.

Any tall woman will tell you that she is endlessly tagged as aggressive, dominant and scary – and that’s just from walking into the room yet alone when you open your mouth and prove to have a both a mind and an opinion. Many people seem to find extreme height in women a truly intimidating force and men in particular seem to find it threatening.  Now, combine that pre-conception with the traits that Debra has shown in Series  5 and you have a walking, talking thorn-in-the-side every tall woman out there, and most definitely those in business.  There is no finesse, no kindness, no sublety,no yield, no grace…

Consider some of the most successful women in business, Anya Hindmarch, Sahar Hashemi, Kelly Hoppen or Linda (LK) Bennett and none of them seem to have anything in common with women like Debra. Whereas I am not disputing that businesswomen do need to possess a tenacious, determined nature and that there are times when the stereotypically more ‘male’ traits, such as aggression and ruthlessness,  are indeed required, I think it gives the wrong message to young women today as to how they should be in business to succeed.

What people are saying about Debra:

Paula (Fired in Episode 4): “”The thing with Debs is which is why I do respect her and I do kind of like her is she absolutely doesn’t give a t**s”.
(Hmm I’m don’t usually find that an endearing or likeable trait!)

The Guardian: Debra would be the offspring of series two finalists Michelle Dewberry and Ruth Badger, should their genes ever be spliced

Even more than usual this week, Aidy Chiles’ follow-up - The Apprentice - You’re fired – was far better than the programme itself. The likeable, articulate, quietly amusing Paula came out with one of the best comments of the show so far – asked if the endlessly self-grooming, self-adoring Debra Barr was tall, Paula demurely but devastatingly replied ‘oh yes, she’s about 6 foot….. 7 with her mouth open.’ Just so

Daily Star: Apprentice b*tch Debra Barr is in pieces at being dubbed ‘Jigsaw’ after the demonic doll in horror flick Saw. Show hopefuls reckon her pale, moon-shaped face and chiselled features make her a dead ringer for the film’s monster.