Guide to Shopping for Tall Moms

What’s awesome about being tall?

Seeing over everyone’s head in a crowd.

What’s not awesome about being tall?

Buying pants. Also, one-piece swimsuits, coats and maxi-length dresses.

We might as well include mini-length dresses in that list, too. And let’s not forget about jeans. Oh, the dreaded jeans.

Shopping for clothes when your height exceeds 5’9 can be quite dreadful. Traditionally, options have been embarrassingly limited and shockingly expensive. Heading in to a dressing room is frustrating enough as a woman, but becomes defeating when pants are unflatteringly short, coats are 3/4 length in the sleeves and one-piece swimsuits threaten to cut off circulation in all the wrong areas.

Luckily, retailers are FINALLY starting to come around, with a handful of brands offering tall or long sizes to help accommodate those of us stretched out more than the average American consumer.

Scope out these brands and you are sure to find something that will fit, I promise!

GAP Brands

Old Navy, GAP, Banana Republic and Athleta, all owned by the same parent company, have bragging rights for the most comprehensive and wide selection of clothing catering to tall women. Most items within their online catalogs have a petite, regular, tall and plus version. Oh, what a refreshing sight! Brick and mortar locations still have yet to carry extended lengths, but all of these storefronts have lenient return policies for items purchased online.

ASOS

With thousands of options, this fast fashion brand should be your first site to peruse when looking for specific pieces. Prices are reasonable, shipping is fast and returns are easy. ASOS covers every spectrum of clothing, in every color and style imaginable.

Boden

If a quality swimsuit is what you are after, Boden is where you should begin your search. Its online storefront also occasionally offers jumpsuits and rompers as well.

Spanx

Long enough and booty boosting? Sign me up! Surprisingly, its online site is full of options, and I can attest to the fit and quality. The leggings and lounge wear are worth the investment.

Target

Recently, Target has begun offering extended sizing in a small selection of items on the e-commerce site only. It’s a start and I’ll take it! Filter by size under desired clothing type to find applicable items.

J. Crew

Classic is the name of J. Crew’s game, and the company does it well. This is often my first shop when shopping for “long torso” swimwear, quality pants and even dresses. Each season J. Crew seem to offer more and more items to fit taller customers.

Madewell

If jeans are what you need, Madewell is the place to be. Offering regular, tall, taller and curvy options, Madewell is aiming to cater to most bodies. Pro tip: Jeans can be a nightmare to fit, no matter your shape or size. Head to one of the two brick and mortar spots in the KC area (Plaza or Town Center) to find the pair that fits in the waist and hips and order the length online with free shipping in store!

Amalli Talli

Founded by two former collegiate volleyball players (hey, me too!), these women understand the struggle. With a wide range of clothing and affordable pricing, this is a must-see for basics.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Bringing it back old school! Abercrombie & Fitch figured out its once target client is now a mom, and she is still worth seeking out. Fortunately, it has also evolved past its once very unrealistic body type, and has realized women do not look like the image it portrayed in campaigns many moons ago. I would estimate about 75 percent of the items are available in longer lengths. The clothing is soft, often on sale, and is the perfect amount of trendy.

Aerie

Another ’90s flashback, the loungewear/athleisure wear side of American Eagle offers most bottoms and some tops in longer lengths.

Land’s End

Ever try to find ski pants that will keep your ankles from acquiring frostbite? It is near impossible. Land’s End will be a winter enthusiasts new favorite destination. It makes clothing specifically designed for taller individuals, avoiding the shortcut of simply adding a few extra inches on at the end.

Ann Taylor & Loft

Most bottoms on these two sites are available in petite, regular and tall lengths. They should be your go-to’s for business casual items. Bonus: the Loft gives a discount to educators!

Alloy Apparel 

Alloy Apparel is a shop specifically for tall women, offering impressively long inseam lengths. So if there’s a type of clothing you’ve always wanted to try (hello, jumpsuits) but could never find it long enough, this site is for you!

Faithfull the Brand

Higher end, on-trend clothing that feel more like investments pieces than fast fashion is what you will find at Faithfull the Brand. Known for its dresses, this is one place tall girls do not have to avoid the “mini” section, as they are longer than most. Models on the website are usually around the 5’11 mark, which gives consumers a good indication of where the dress might hit them in real life. No more worry of a gust of wind exposing everything! The website also highlights adaptive, curvy and maternity options.

Here’s to a less frustrating shopping experience!

Fellow tall moms, any place we missed on this list?

Kristin Ruthstrom
Kristin is a Lee’s Summit suburb transplant, after living in the Brookside and Plaza areas for over eight years. Raising three young boys with her husband, Jake, has helped her to embrace the messy, wild side of life where love is expressed in bear hugs and body slams. Professionally, she can be found teaching classes as an adjunct professor in the areas of Business, Marketing and PR. She is able to provide her students with applicable, real-life knowledge as she draws from several years working in the corporate sector. “Free time” (ha!, what's that again?) is spent on an occasional date night to favorite local restaurants, reading blogs on everything from home design to politics, riding her sweet beach cruiser bike and thinking of ways to convince her husband to do yet another home improvement project.