I don’t think women with legs less than 36 inches long can ever appreciate the mission that is jeans shopping for really tall girls. It has to be one of the most taxing activities for tall girls and women all over the world.
Jeans are such an integral part of everyone’s wardrobe. They are an attitude, a way of life and for most of us, more essential to our lives than any other item of clothing. The right pair can make you look thinner, taller, curvier or whatever you choose.
As the owner of both a curious mind and 38 inch legs , I have spent that last 15 years constantly searching for the right jeans. I have never had any success with the UK brands from Tallgirls or Long Tall Sally. The weren’t long enough and didn’t suit my particular figure (years of sport has done little for the size of my thighs and my bottom is far from small!).
In my teenage years I briefly toyed with a pair Levi’s 516’s (until they stopped making the style) and men’s jeans from High & Mighty. Then, in my early 20’s I started travelling to the USA regularly and seeking out brands there – did you know that Levi’s mens 501’s do come in a 40 inch inseam?
Of the designer brands, J brand, Notify and Hudson all have styles available in a 37 inch inseam (all available from shopbop.com) although unfortunately, my thighs have never quite been able to squeeze into any of these apparently brilliantly cut brands.
A tip I have is to search for the cut and you can always take care of the colour later. As I never really have much choice in the wash or finish, I have become a bit handy at home dying to create my own wash effects. It’s really easy so if you find the perfect pair in a not-so-perfect colour, don’t worry! Just do it yourself!
Here is where I shop for my jeans:
GAP (USA)
Despite not shipping to the UK, you can sign up with My USA and they will order jeans from GAP for you, have them to shipped to their address (your ‘US Address’) and then forward them on to you here in Europe. Their jeans aren’t as long as they used to be but you can still get a good 37 inch inseam (despite branding them as 36 inches) and they do cords and trousers too. I love their curvy fit myself.
Diesel
On a trip to Bloomingdales about 18 months ago I bought what is still the most flattering pair of jeans I’ve ever worn from Diesel . They are from the Men’s section, were every expensive and only had an inseam of around 35.5 inches but they had a 2.5 inch turn-up which I let down and as they were so distressed, it seemed to add to the design.
Alloy.com
Alloy sell several brands up to a 37 inch inseam and a few pairs of trousers too. My favourite from here are the Truck brand. I love the non-stretch style but they have almost any trend covered, are really affordable at around $40 a pair AND they ship to the UK.
Buckle.com
A relatively new discovery for me but with a brilliant search facility where you can sort by length of rise, inseam, style, wash, cut, fabric and many more, this site is my new favourite. Currently they offer five brands in a 37 inch inseam and one brand available in a 38 inch inseam and they ship to Europe.
These days I rely purely on American Brands to satisfy my denim desires but, to be honest? I’m still searching for THAT miracle pair that makes me look and feel like a supermodel….
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Belinda Nnoka 12.04.08 at 11:47 am
Hi there! I’m 6ft 8 ins tall with an inseam of 39 ins long so I understand where you are coming from!! I have a friend who is based in America who is setting up an online jean store for tall women - he plans to go up to a 42 inch inseam. Drop him a line: tallgenez.com
It will be ready to go early next year so keep in touch with him! xx
Suzanne 12.14.08 at 4:15 pm
I have found the same problem with Long Tall Sally. My legs and hips are much bigger than my waist, so either I have to wear something really baggy in the waist, or too tight in the hips. Amazing blog by the way!
Amazona 12.15.08 at 10:20 am
Thanks Suzanne, it’s great to hear the blog is doing some good! LTS… terrible cut, terrible fabrics, terrible designs… I wish someone else would do something for us tall women!
Ula 12.18.08 at 12:22 am
Hello, i have the same peoblem as you ladys since i am 6′4 and 20 years old it is hard for me to find fashionable jeans that are 39″ inseam long. The only place i had any luck was at tall elegant legs. They do not have much to choose from but at least something. =)
Wanda Soer 02.21.09 at 3:11 am
I am 6′ 2 1/2″ tall with an inseam of 38″ and a rise of
11 1/2 inches. I find it virtually impossible to find jeans long enough in the inseam and also rise. I do ocassionally luck out with Tall Girls , ordering on line from Toronto, Canada
Any suggestions out there?
Amazona 02.21.09 at 8:33 pm
Hey Wanda, I’ve got a 38 inside leg too and I find I can get some styles at GAP online (US) which, altho’ they say they’re 36, some styles come longer. Alternatively, try Alloy or use the SearchByInseam site (see link on the right) - it’s a great resource!
Dawny 09.03.09 at 3:36 pm
And theres me thinking i was the only tall person on the planet
iv had trouble since a was ateenager findin clothes 2fit propaly.I have marfan syndrome which effects my internal organs aswell as my skelenton.Im 6ft 2 and have a 38inch leg and would sooooo love 2find ashop that i could click on 2 and just order with ease.Any advice would be much appreciated.Thanks girls.Dawny!
Chelsea 02.25.10 at 7:56 pm
Check out http://www.longlegs.ca, they sell designer brands as well as a Long Legs brand as well. Most jeans come in a 37+ inch inseam. I’ve had much luck there, not sure if they ship to the UK but they definitely ship to Canada and the US