Alloy Tall Shop

Wide Leg Pants (37" inseam) - Alloy Tall Shop/Tank - Bella/Shoes - Christian Siriano for Payless (size 12)/Earring Chain - Candid Art

Photo credit: Eric Rodriguez

You have probably seen me tweet, facebook, pin and instagram about it but just in case you missed it I wanted to let you know about the Alloy Tall Shop.  They have pants and jeans up to 37" inseam, tall maxi skirts, dresses and shoes up to size 11 (note to Alloy: shoes over size 11 would be a great addition to the Tall Shop).  They even have a long torso swimwear option.  The price points are great and they usually have a trend that is hard to find.

I have ordered many pieces from them but one of my favorites are these wide leg knit pants.  They are super comfy and more importantly super long.  I dang near almost trip over them.

I paired them with a simple white tank, some statement shoes and the amazing earring chain from Candid Art that I wear in the front or the back.  It is literally a chain of soft, colorful, ripped fabric from one ear to the other. Can we say HAWT with a capital HAWT?!

Want to see more from Alloy?  Check out my top 5 Alloy Tall Shop picks.  And don't forget to tell a tall friend.  We must always look out for each other:)

1. Ember Tie-Dye Maxi Skirt. $23.90. Sizes XS - XXXL. 45" length.

2. Denim Wide Leg Jumper. $39.90. Sizes 1-13. 37" length.

3. Spoon Zipper Cargo Pant. $44.90. Sizes 1-25. 37" length.

4. Maci Tank Dress. $23.90. Sizes XS - XXL. 63" length.  Comes in 11 options.

5. Lelia Chain Gladiator. $39.90. Sizes 6-11.

Dress - Target/Blazer - Forever 21/Heels - Enzo Angiolini via Nordstrom/Wrist Piece and Neck Pieces (2 chain pieces stacked) - Forever 21/Patent Handbag - Thrifted

Photo credit: Eric Rodriguez

- See more at: http://www.tallswag.com/#sthash.ZrfZMBCd.dpuf

Dress - Target/Blazer - Forever 21/Heels - Enzo Angiolini via Nordstrom/Wrist Piece and Neck Pieces (2 chain pieces stacked) - Forever 21/Patent Handbag - Thrifted

Photo credit: Eric Rodriguez

- See more at: http://www.tallswag.com/#sthash.ZrfZMBCd.dpuf

Dress - Target/Blazer - Forever 21/Heels - Enzo Angiolini via Nordstrom/Wrist Piece and Neck Pieces (2 chain pieces stacked) - Forever 21/Patent Handbag - Thrifted

Photo credit: Eric Rodriguez

- See more at: http://www.tallswag.com/#sthash.PlJ2wOBS.dpuf

Dress - Target/Blazer - Forever 21/Heels - Enzo Angiolini via Nordstrom/Wrist Piece and Neck Pieces (2 chain pieces stacked) - Forever 21/Patent Handbag - Thrifted

Photo credit: Eric Rodriguez

- See more at: http://www.tallswag.com/#sthash.PlJ2wOBS.dpuf

Maxamillion

Oh summer.  You are the best!  I love your warm weather and more importantly what that weather does to style.  It makes everything cool, laid back and lovely.  Thank you for giving us a moment to relax and look amazing while doing it.  If you were a person, I would marry you.

Now that I have finished my love letter to summer, let's talk about one of the hardest summer pieces to find: THE MAXI DRESS.

Stop your tears.  We DO have options!  I wouldn't call it an abundance, but there are some amazing maxi's just for us that hit the floor.  Someone grab the smelling salt.  I think a couple of tall girls just fainted.

Check out 10 of my favs that you can pick up right now with a quick click.  Which one will you rock this summer?

Left to right, top to bottom:

CHLOE MAXI DRESS from Height Goddess. 67" and 71". Sizes 6-16. $169.

SATIN PLEATED MAXI DRESS from Long Tall Sally. 60". Sizes 6-18. $169.

MACI TANK DRESS from Alloy. 63". Sizes XS-XXXL. Comes in 11 color options. $23.90.

SCARF PRINT MAXI DRESS from Long Tall Sally. 63". Sizes 8-18. $135.

NATALIA RUFFLE MAXI DRESS from Height Goddess. 67" and 71". Sizes M-L. $179.

CLARA HOURGLASS MAXI from Alloy. 63". Sizes XS-XXXL. $38.90.

TALL MOSAIC MAXI DRESS from Ann Taylor. 44". Sizes 0-18. $118.

GREY OMBRE MAXI DRESS from Next. 60". Sizes 4-14. $87.

ORANGE TIE DYE STRAPLESS DRESS from Method Boutique. 57". Sizes S-XL. Also comes in a blue option. $89.

BLACK AND SUNSET RED STRIPE MAXI from Next. 60". Sizes 4-14. $58.

Rack it Up

Dress - Target/Blazer - Forever 21/Heels - Enzo Angiolini via Nordstrom/Wrist Piece and Neck Pieces (2 chain pieces stacked) - Forever 21/Patent Handbag - Thrifted

Photo credit: Eric Rodriguez

I got a lot of emails about my last post, specifically about the tailoring aspect.  I was really surprised how many people didn't think that clothing off the rack could work for them.  I understand completely BUT it is very possible to rock clothing off the rack and look amazing.  Here are some handy-dandy tips on how-to shop clothing off the rack:

1) Find 3/4" sleeves.  While the bodies of the garments vary, the arms almost always work and if not, they are easily tailored.  So if you see a 3/4 sleeve, try it on.  7 times out of 10 you will love it!  I found this fire engine red, cropped, 3/4" blazer at Forever 21.  It looked like a baby jacket on the hanger but I loved it when I tried it on.

2) When it comes to dresses and skirts, shop one length up.  If you want a mini skirt, look for garments that are made above the knee, if you want above the knee, look for garments that are midi length and so on and so forth.  I swooped this sweet little dress from Target!  I wanted it to be short but not as short as some of the dresses that are 'made' to be short.  When I found this knee length dress, it was perfect for the mini, cute look I was going for.  Hey legs! 

3) Look for cuffs.  You can usually turn them down easily and without paying a tailor.  This works for both pants and shirts.  A little DIY never hurt anybody.

4) Find alternative ways to wear the garment.  I do this a lot when shopping for vintage clothing.  Just because it was made to be one thing, doesn't mean you can't wear it another way.  You own your style, and can rock your purchases the way you want to.  For example, I threw a belt on this vintage skirt and wore it as a dress.

You can follow TallSWAG on instagram by clicking the pic or find TallSWAG on your instagram app on your mobile phone.Do I like the fact that we don't have choices on the rack?  NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. It needs to change.  Every single woman should be able to have the same shopping experience.  I am working toward the day when we can ALL walk into a store and buy something made specifically for us.  However the fact remains that this is our current situation...so get out there and shop!  They may not be made for us, but we can MAKE them for us.

Want more "how-to" tips? IFB has amazing on ones on just about anything you can imagine. CLICK HERE.

Tailor Made

Tall Ultra Skinny Pants - GAP/Double Breasted Striped Blazer - Forever 21 (arms tailored)/Stretch Cotton Cami - Long Tall Sally/Mossimo Vinta Ankle Strap Heels - Target (size 11)/Merona Georgia Media Pouch - Target/Wrist piece - H&M/Neck piece - Thrifted

Photo credit: Eric Rodriguez

Back in the day, our tall options were not options at all.  Whether it be on the web or that impossible to find "tall" store, we were lucky to find a grandma shirt with "long" arms or a pair of 80's slacks with the crotch down to our knees.  NotCute.com.

Thankfully, now there are more tall options for us with new choices on the way everyday.  However, there are some garments that we find that still need a little special attention to make them fit. 

It's okay. 

Breathe. 

Just because you have to tailor something doesn't mean that it wasn't meant for you.  In fact, tailoring an item makes it SPECIFICALLY for you. 

In this case, I found this killer blazer at Forever 21.  I was amped when I saw the 3/4 sleeves because I knew there would be no problem with the length but when I got the piece in the mail, the crazy things wouldn't go over my biceps.

How dare they.

Instead of throwing myself on the ground like a 3 year old, I took it to my ladies at Doan's Tailor Shop and had them cut a "V" on the inside of the arms ($16 in total). Crisis averted. 

I can't tell you how many people comment on the sleeves.  Although necessary for the fit, the extra touch took the blazer to the next level.  Side note: I tailor vintage and thrifted clothes on the regular.  Although the price of the tailoring may be more than the price of the garment itself, it can create a one of a kind piece that nobody will be rockin but you.

Lesson: don't be offended by a piece that needs to be tailored.  Make love, not war. 

I paired this lovely lined blazer with my favorite tall ankle pants from GAP, a little pop of color in the clutch and my new platform ankle sandals from Target.

Bow chica wow wow!          

The Skinny

Camden Skinny Jeans (38") - Long Tall Sally/B.F.T. Brooklyn Wedge Sneaker - Barefoot Tess/Military Button Up - Basic/Camo Tank - Target/Neck Piece - Urban Vintage/Wrist Piece - Charlotte Russe/Aviators - Kardashian Kollection from Sears  

Photo credit: Eric Rodriguez

We are all on the hunt for a great skinny jean.  Fortunately there are more and more options everyday but not many with special washes and details.  So when I found the Camden Skinny Jean in this light grey wash from Long Tall Sally, I swooped them up.  I love the retro look to them and they are super long (38" inseam).  Not to mention the fit is great.  They have just the right amount of stretch to hug the curves without suffocating them.  

The wedge sneaker is also one of those elusive items for us.  Never fear, the B.F.T. Brooklyn's are here!  Barefoot Tess knocked it out the park with these.  They come in 6 options and in sizes up to 15.  I pretty much throw them on with everything.

Frosting breakdown: The FAB vintage neck piece was picked up at Urban Vintage (one of my favorite vintage shops), $5 snap cuff from Charlotte Russe, killer Kardashian aviators (I dig the all dark brown) and probably my favorite accessory is my Hall Pass Tour Pin.  It's an amazing organization that everyone should check out. Hall Pass uses music to ignite the pursuit of higher learning and provide a creative space for communities to support their youth.  It's a outstanding movement that will always be showcased and supported by me.

What are your favorite skinnies?  Sharing is caring:)

Tall Adventures in Dating

Yes. This happens. BUT it's not always the case. Photo courtesy of YourLoveTips.comYou come home from a long day at work.  Take a shower, do the hair, throw on a little make-up, put on an outfit that isn’t doing too much, jump in the car and drive to what could be an amazing date. 

You get to the restaurant, walk in and there he is.  You get those nervous butterflies into formation and walk towards him.  As you walk up his eyes start to bug out and he is forming his lips to say something that is sure to knock your socks off.  Here it comes…3, 2, 1...

DAMN YOU’RE TALL! And wait. It gets better.  He raises up on his tippy toes just to drive the point home.

Yes my friends.  This is the life of tall dating.

We have to put up with many kinds of ridiculous dates.  Including but not limited to:

1)  The man who wants to date us for our genes.  He doesn’t want us.  He wants some tall babies that make it to the League and take care of him.  Who pre-plans to use their child for their talent and money? This guy does. And he usually does so while having the worst breath possible.

2)  The man with a tall fetish.  He loves everything tall about us.  I won’t get into the nasty particulars but he is obsessed with our vertical gift.  He doesn’t like us as a person.  He simply likes the tall and that’s all.

3)  The undecided man.  He thinks he can handle the height but clearly it bothers him because he takes every moment he can to remind you that you are tall.  It comes up in every aspect of the conversation and even though he swears he is fine with it, he just can’t let it go. 

So after we weed through these false pretenses, we then throw our own expectations in the mix.  I for one was completely guilty of this.  My requirement list was so long that there was simply no man on earth that could fill it.  I had created an impossible image of a man in my head and of course he was taller than me.    

Now ladies, I am not saying that you have to throw all of your expectations out the window.  You must not settle. Point, blank, period.  BUT to put expectations like height on whomever you date is simply blocking a whole segment of men that could be the one (or preparing you for the one).  In my humble opinion, I have learned over time that there are WAY more important things to be concerned with then if you can rock a mean heel and still be shorter than him. At the end of the day, a confident man, no matter what his literal height, can be the tallest man in the world.

Since my revelation, I have dated men who were shorter than me (and yes, I wore heels to every date because this is what I do).  To my surprise, it was only uncomfortable if they made it uncomfortable.  Am I dating them now? Nope.  But it was because it simply didn’t work out, not because of the height difference alone.

I say all of that to say this.  Our tall adventures in dating are hard enough without our self-imposed barriers and road blocks.  Opening up to all possibilities gives you a higher percentage of meeting the one you simply can’t be without.  At the end of the day, God picks him out for you anyways so why not have faith in His choice and lift anything that would stop you from seeing who he is?

I have absolutely no idea who will find me, but I do know this; no matter what his height he will pursue me and through the man he is, not the height he is, I will know that he is the one. Side note: please notice that I said HE will pursue ME.  We are never to chase.  That is not our job and never will be.  If he wants you, he will pursue you.  If he doesn’t, he won’t.  It’s that simple.

So there you go, my view on our tall adventures in dating.  I am dying to know what you think…go!