Dressing Tips For Tall Thin Women

[Guest nymphblossom]

At 5'11" 147 pounds, my 5'4" 129 pound wife isn't much help when it comes to picking out clothes that flatter my flat-chested athletic build. I found these tips on the net (reference weblinks posted below):

Blossom

Dressing Tips for the girls who are tall and thin:

1. Dress in layers, they add interest and disguise thinness.
   
2. Avoid wearing bare, short and clinging clothes.
   
3. Create the illusion of fullness and softness. In summer when your thinness is the most seen wear soft, fluffy fabrics.
   
4. Beware of garments with vertical stripes and patterns, for you will look even thinner than you are.
   
5. Prefer wearing horizontally striped designs and patterns.
   
6. Try to avoid wearing solid color even if it is your favorite.
   
7. Long and sharp necklines are not for you.
   

Keep the very skinny parts under wraps. Cover your throat with a scarf, choker, high cowl neck or long hair. But steer clear of prissy bows and ruffles.

1. Prefer suits to dresses or attires including skirts and blouses or sweaters. If you choose to wear a dress pay attention to the one with horizontal stripes, seams, etc.
   
2. Avoid very wide skirts in plenty of pleats and gathers. You’ll look scruffy and old-fashioned. Choose more modern flared designs, skirts with accordion pleats, etc.
   
3. Minimize use of padding on your shoulders.
   
4. Don’t wear heels. If you do, select shorter ones.
   
5. Prefer boots as they camouflage skinny legs under skirts.
   
6. Don’t wear heavy shoes. They’ll make your legs look even thinner.
   
7. Avoid boy cut hair. Very tall women risk looking like pinheads if they get a super short hairstyle. Leave the boy cuts to the pixie girls (think Wynona Ryder, French actress Audrey Tatou, Natalie Portman, Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby).
   

"A long T-shirt over pants and a vest - that looks well and it can magically get rid of a few centimetres," said Bettyna Poeltl, a style expert at an image and fashion institute in Berlin.

Tall women look a bit smaller when their outfit can be separated into different parts. Long blazers and long coats also work well on tall women provided they cover the thigh, she said. A form-fitting top under the blazer or coat is the best way to add elegance to the outfit.

"Tall, thin women can show their figures," said Poeltl. There are also a few things they should note when selecting pants. A slit up the side seam from the hem, for example, can make long legs look a bit shorter.

"Three-quarters or cigarette pants, which leave the ankle free, also reduce the leg length," said Ingo Brack of the fashion school Esmond in Munich. Cigarette pants are tight-fitting, straight-legged pants that were popular in the '60s. Audrey Hepburn wore them and they can be found today in many closets.

"With their high waist and the short leg length, they are perfect for tall, thin women," said Poeltl. With ankles revealed, pumps or ballerinas are the best choice in shoes. Because cigarette pants attract so much attention, Poeltl suggests an understated top. "A white blouse or a simply cut pullover combine well with the pants."

Alternatively, narrow tube pants and leggings emphasize long legs, and tall women who like to wear dresses can hardly go wrong, Brack believes.

"Very thin women look best in mini dresses. Those who believe they have a few problem zones can wear a loose-fitting billowy dress made of lightweight material," Brack said. The outfit should then be finished with small details such as pockets and belts that break up the outfit and make the woman wearing it look smaller.

Conspicuous tops with large patterns or in particular styles such as empire also detract from a women's height.

"Tall women are made to wear large patterns. It can easily be something striking that goes throughout the outfit," said Brack. Small patterns also are acceptable on a tall woman, said Brack. "Actually, anything goes, except vertical stripes."

There are a few other things tall women should note about style. V-necks and long zippers elongate the body even more and should therefore be avoided. In addition there are skirt styles that can take a bit away from one's overall height. Skirts that are narrow to the knee and then bell out fit wonderfully on tall women, Poeltl said.

What goes for the outfit also goes for shoes. Sporty elegance is ideal and tall women do not have to reject heels.

"In flat shoes many women feel too slouchy. That's why many confidently wear heels," she said. The shoes should be rounded at the toe so that the foot looks smaller. Many tall women have long feet and a round toe de-emphasizes their length, said Brack. Shoes that have a strap over the instep make long lets look shorter, as do boots that stop at mid-calf.

Beyond having a well put-together outfit, tall women should also take note of a few tips for their hair. Volume and fullness, particularly on the sides is important.

"This is how to bring expression and character to a small face," said Jens Dagne, a master hair stylist from Worms. But he cautions not to cut the hair at the nape of the neck too short so that it maintains a counterbalance.

http://lyfstyle-zone.blogspot.com/2009/04/...thin-women.html

www.topnews.in/style-tips-tall-women-2187045

[Guest mia 1]

Nearly 6' and under 150. Are you a marathoner...?

4% body fat?

Lucky girl.......

[Guest nymphblossom]

No, just a bean pole I've lost 30 pounds in 7 months from the stress of beginning transition. I love the tall flat-chested athletic look when I present as my female self, but my wife hates it that I've lost so much weight.

Blossom

[Guest mia 1]

No, just a bean pole I've lost 30 pounds in 7 months from the stress of beginning transition. I love the tall flat-chested athletic look when I present as my female self, but my wife hates it that I've lost so much weight.

Blossom

Nympblossom, have you talked to your Dr. about losing so much weight,and if so is (s)he O.K. with that.....?

It sounds like you are happy and proud of your weight loss,maybe that is all that matters..

I am not a physician, but a caring member..

BTW good luck on your transition...Mia

[Guest nymphblossom]

Thank you for caring, Mia. My Mom tells me this is about the same as I weighed when I was in high school 30 years ago so I am not too worried. My therapist has assured me it is all due to stress, the trauma of secondary transsexualism. It also affected my sleep. I hit a worst of 2-3 hours of insomnia on 7 hours sleep. She is not concerned since both have been leveling off as I begin to accept what is happening to me. Honestly? I love being tall lanky but am looking forward to getting few curves when I start HRT in January.

Blossom

[Guest Fwip]

Blossom -

Thanks for these tips, these are going to help me out a lot once I start clothes shopping for real. The hardest habit for me to break is going to be my love of solid colors - picking out patterned or more complicated clothing is hard for me! I'm glad I won't have to pick out pointy shoes, too.

I'm maybe an inch shorter than you, but weigh about the same as your wife. I hope to put on some weight after I start hormones (so it goes to the 'right places'). I'm definitely underweight, but my physician tells me that I don't have to worry unless I start losing weight again. So if I'm okay, you probably are, too.

[Guest nymphblossom]

You're welcome, Fwip!

It sounds like we are in the same situation with the weight loss and our transition. I couldn't be happier than if HRT gave me a little something to fill out my jeans. Otherwise, I am very comfortable with my trim athletic build. No implants for me, thank you, I am quite happy with my perky little boobs

I'm not taking an all or nothing attitude to any of this, just using it as a guide to my personal style. But you'll see the second you try on any of the stuff they say is a no-no why it doesn't work for us. I love layered looks so it's easy to mix solid colors. And I don't like tight stuff or frilly blouses anyway, so button front tops, polos, tees and jerseys all work well for me (absolutely must be fitted). Maybe they would work for you too? Capris are the cutest and I love boots and clogs. Just start keeping your eyes open for what tall skinny G-girls wear.

A couple of MTF things I have learned from trying on about a million things:

-I avoid strappy tops, wide, scoop and V necks like the plague to hide my broad shoulders

-Empire waists (above normal waist line) look great on me

-3/4 sleeves help hide my gangly 34/35 arms better than full length

-Off the shoulder and straight bust lines work very well for us skinny tall flat-chested girls

It would be fantastic if you could add any tips you know to this thread!

Blossom

[Guest Fwip]

A couple of MTF things I have learned from trying on about a million things:

-I avoid strappy tops, wide, scoop and V necks like the plague to hide my broad shoulders

-Empire waists (above normal waist line) look great on me

-3/4 sleeves help hide my gangly 34/35 arms better than full length

-Off the shoulder and straight bust lines work very well for us skinny tall flat-chested girls

It would be fantastic if you could add any tips you know to this thread!

Blossom

Mmm, I haven't started shopping yet, so my opinion's worth approximately zilch. Once I start transitioning for real, though, I promise to update y'all here in the fashion forum, not least so that I can get your helpful feedback!

~Fwippy

P.S. I almost forgot! I found this site online, www.shanalogic.com, it has some really cute accessories and clothes. It's a bit pricey, but I can't _wait_ until I can wear some of the stuff there. I actually have this rabbit shirt that (currently) fits almost as well as I dare to dream. Until I can pull off wearing the ladies' tee, anyways!

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Well addiing to the tips. The comments were really 'right on.' As an older 6'1" woman who does love her heels (as Sally claims) I seem to open eyeballs when I get up to use the ladies room! My therapist insists its my height, unusual in a woman, that draws looks, not that I am being 'read.'

I agree on the separates in dressing - works well, especially a slightly flared jacket over a pretty lace blouse.

And the stripes are no good - but I also avoid vertical designs as well - I am at 208 right now - and am slender build but solid, being in my sixties. I am probably where I should be size to weight ratio for my age.

I use the slight v neck approach. Straight across or scooped necklines put too much emphasis on the shoulders. I do use slight sholder padding on the expensive suits, they 'up' the shoulders and make them look delicate.

Three quarter or roll leeves are perfect!

And capris are a wonder for us taller girls. I have very good legs and I use them to help me pass.

Detailing on shirts asnd blouses is a must! Lots of pockets and darts and frills, but no ruffles, or if so, very modest.

Shoes - definately avoid the long pointed toes, strappy shoes are great! Avoid white shoes which make it look like you ate walking in two canoes.

Hair! YES - long and curly - a wonder. Tall gals do best with GREAT HAIR! No pixie cut, no super layered look, just the classic beautiful head of hair. Long hair also does wonders in hiding big shoulders.

And there are several types of tall women. It really comes down to how different your hips are from your shoulder width. Likely scenario in MTFs is they are about the same. This is just slightly past the female norn but is easy to dress for. Remember the body presents square if you are like that. Super narrow hips is a more difficult problen - flaring on skirts - and never tucking in the blouse helps with that. If you hips are wider than your shoulders, you are easy to dress, as you have a female shape.

Also the waist? Is it there ar all? If you have a decent waist (you get one on HRT) it is so much easier to dress appropriately. That is why thinner tall girls look best.

Thats adding a few pointers.

Lizzy

[Guest nymphblossom]

Thank you for sharing, ElizabethK. It sounds like alot of the dressing tips from the articles have worked for you too. I guess so much of this is common sense, but hind sight is always 20-20.

I'm not a big fan of heels so shying from them is easy for me, other than my addiction for chunky heel casual sandals. And I try not to go over 3 1/2" heels with a 1" platform (net 2 1/2" heel).

My wife is a very girly girl and has sold Mary Kay for 15 years. She can't help me dress to flatter my tall lanky figure, but she is a whiz with helping me select colors that go with my skin tone and hair color. So much of this is really art.

Yes, no pixie cuts for us, but it is still important to consider whether your face is oval, rectangular, round, square, heart or triangle. Here is a good link with recommended styles that flatter the different shapes:

http://www.visual-makeover.com/face.htm

Weight- Sigh, it is everyone's nightmare. I know it depends on biomass, frame and age. Here is a good link that has an interesting blend of "recommended weights." They span the gammut from peoples choice weight (optimistically low for women and high for men), medically recommended weight, Metropolitan Life actuarial weight, and a host of others:

http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

You will need to know your frame size (based on width of elbow), so here is a link for how to determine that:

http://www.healthchecksystems.com/heightweightchart.htm

Blossom

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Cool beans

THANKS

Lizzy

Oh - I love heels - but stay at the 2 1/2" ht max usually - but 1 1/2" is perfect!

[Guest nymphblossom]

ElizabethK wrote:

Oh - I love heels - but stay at the 2 1/2" ht max usually - but 1 1/2" is perfect!

Absolutely. I love boots and clogs with a little heel. My wife is so envious that I can wear the flat sandals that are so the rage. They were made for us taller women. At 5' 4", she won't be caught dead in them because they make her look short and dumpy.

Blossom