Lengths that fit when you are a tall woman
Short answer: Choose tops with extra body length and pants in tall sizes or with a longer leg length. Look at where the shoulder seam and waist fall on you, not just the number on the size tag. Those two points decide whether an item actually fits.
Length is a different measure than width
Most sizing systems add a little length per size, but far less than a tall body actually needs. Go up a size just for length, and you end up with an item that swims across the chest and shoulders while still staying too short lower down.
How to check an item
Look for two things every time. The shoulder seam should sit right on the shoulder edge, and the waist on a dress or top should fall at your own waist, not above it. Get those two right, and the rest of the item usually fits too.
Tall size pants solve the most
Waist length is only half the story, since leg length causes at least as much trouble. Look for a tall size within bamboo clothing for women, where both the waist and inseam are adjusted, so you avoid short legs and a low waistline at once.
The pieces that cause the most trouble
Dresses, long sleeved tops, and nightgowns turn too short fastest of all pieces. For sleepwear, you may be better off choosing a set with pants rather than a dress. See bamboo sleepwear for women and bamboo dresses for examples with clearly marked length.
Make the most of the fabric
Choose qualities with a bit of elastane, which follow the body without riding up over the course of the day. Avoid pieces with a very short back, since those shift first once you move freely. See women's long sleeved bamboo t-shirt for a cut with extra body length.
Sleeves are the second trap
Even when the body of an item fits, sleeves can still end up too short, since they rarely lengthen in the same proportion as the rest of the item. Measure a sleeve from shoulder seam to cuff on something you already own, and use that number as your reference.
Size charts need careful reading
Always look at the actual measurements in centimeters, not just the letter or number of the size. Two brands with the same size label can differ by several centimeters in both length and width. See bamboo clothing for women for a range where measurements sit next to every item.
A tailor is a shortcut that works
Can't find the right length in a store, a short trip to a tailor is often faster than searching further. Lengthening a sleeve or letting out a hem usually costs little, yet solves a problem that would otherwise repeat with every new purchase.
Combine the right way from the start
Buy a top in your own width and accept a touch of extra room at the waist, rather than going up a whole size just for the length. Extra width can be taken in by a tailor, but missing length can rarely be added back without ruining the cut.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always size up?
No. That gives you width you don't need. Choose a tall size or a longer leg length instead of going up a whole size for length alone.
How do I measure if an item is long enough?
Measure an item you already own that fits well in length, and compare that number directly against the size chart of the new item you're considering.
Are leggings a good choice?
Yes, if there's enough elastane in the fabric. Otherwise they tighten at the crotch first, long before they're actually long enough to cover the leg fully.
