I really miss the US shops which had "tall" sizes - like gap, ann taylor, banana republic etc.

Do the UK shops mentioned here have "tall" sizes in jeans/trousers and shirts?

Ramona, practically all of Italy is mixed up-- those barbarians were pretty big.

There are at least two shop chains that sell taglie comode that I know work for taller gals, because I know two women who approach 6' and both shop there. Elena Miro and Marina Rinaldi. Both are very stylish and start, I think, at 44, which I think is a US 10. What is plus in one country is minus in another. It always makes me wonder, are the other sizes uncomfortable? Neither is cheap, but you get what you pay for, eh? Their things apparently last forever. I know that the super long jeans one bought are on the 4th year and still look new.

I did see some transparent summer clothes at a local cheap shop in the taglie comode. One drifty gauze kaftan was very tempting, if only I could grow up to it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Judith in Umbria,

Thanks for the recommendations - however, I think that both of those shops are targeted at women quite a bit older than me (ok a bit older than me - I'm 35! )

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In fact, the only place I've seen taglie comode (besides specialty "plus sized" shops) was at Oviesse and the clothes were distinctly of the "old lady" variety.

In fact, don't think taglie comode are meant for tall people - just for short, fat people.

That's exactly what I was thinking! Mind you, I did see a woman my size browsing in Oviesse. I thought better of making a mutually sympathetic comment, but maybe if I see her again I'll suggest she goes shopping in the UK.:-) Might ask her if she wants to play defense for the football team!

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Originally posted by Ramona:
I think that both of those shops are targeted at women quite a bit older than me

I do not think so, they sell stylish but not "old" stuff. marina Rinaldi's not "girlie" type stuff, the brand has lots of classic jackets, dresses and suits, but also leggings and animal prints (UGH!). Elena Mirò was born aiming at producing faschion for "generous thirtysomethings", the brand uses lots of bold colors and flowing shapes.

Also, neither is cheap, but you can find their stuff (or at elast Marina Rinaldi's stuff) at the Diffusione Tessile outlet chain.

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Originally posted by Alice Twain:
Elena Mirò was born aiming at producing faschion for "generous thirtysomethings", the brand uses lots of bold colors and flowing shapes.

The point is - I'm a size 10 not a size 36 and I don't see why i need to be relegated to wearing "generous" clothing or "flowing shapes". I don't (and never will) wear animal prints, leggings or clunky gold jewellery! Nor do I want to wear a caftan or a muumuu! What about some normal, fashionable, not expensive but not "old lady" clothes which come in a 44 and are not designed for overweight women of a certain age and style?

Looks like I should be checking the Ryanair website and emailing my friends in England if I want to get some summer clothes.

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I really miss the US shops which had "tall" sizes - like gap, ann taylor, banana republic etc. wine

Do the UK shops mentioned here have "tall" sizes in jeans/trousers and shirts?

They have GAP in the UK, i assume the same stuff/ sizes as the US. I have never had to get 'tall' clothes so not sure which UK shops sell them. I am 1.73m and just get the 'normal' ranges of stuff. Usually the small end of the sizes too....

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Originally posted by Ramona:
The point is - I'm a size 10 not a size 36 and I don't see why i need to be relegated to wearing "generous" clothing or "flowing shapes". I don't (and never will) wear animal prints, leggings or clunky gold jewellery! Nor do I want to wear a caftan or a muumuu! What about some normal, fashionable, not expensive but not "old lady" clothes which come in a 44 and are not designed for overweight women of a certain age and style?

I feel the same way. There really should be something in between loose, flowing clothing and clothes so tight that they make you look like a sausage.

There are many women around here who are my size, though they tend to be shorter than I am, and I notice that they either squeeze themselves into the teenybopper clothes or they wear the loose, matronly stuff that comes in tacky prints and bold colors.

I like well-fitted clothes, and as a size 8 American, I think I look good enough in them to have no reason to hide my absolutely normal body. But fitted isn't the same as tight.

One of the things I love about the show What Not To Wear is that it's all about women accentuating their best features and not hiding their bodies. I can't remember their ever having recommended shapeless clothing- and they even made over plenty of overweight women.

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Originally posted by Ramona:
"flowing shapes"

Flowing is not "sack". Flowing is also a longish skirt with a tight waist, it's generous sleeves over a fitted bodice, it's the back of an A-skaped jacket worn over a fitted shirt...

Ramona - check out the Marks and Spencer website. The online shop shows you all the different lengths and sizes available. I was able to order online and get it sent to a friend in the UK. Another friend just brought it over - finally jeans that fit!

Jeans are jeans. If you want them long enough for tall girls, then Elena Miro has them. It doesn't do much good to moan about there are no clothes long enough for you if you are worried about being seen in a shop where someone over thirty buys clothing. Similarly, a jacket in a great cut and fabric that fits your chest doesn't actually brand you old or fat if it comes from there.

My friend who is 1/2" shy of six feet and is not older than Ramona bought jeans and a leather jacket there, both really stylish and very high quality. She travels all of Europe doing fashion reporting, and isn't restricted to buying here, but can buy London, Paris, Berlin, Prague or any of the cities she works in.

I'm not much of a fan of really cheap clothes. With rare exceptions they don't seem to look good after the first washing. I am a big fan of sales.

Of course a trip to London sounds like fun, but how often can most of us do it? There is a very interesting article on what women in the UK spend on and how much is the most recent Stella magazine of the Telegraph. The prices for even a coffee are stunning. My kid is up for a possible job in England, and she is seriously going to have to have a COLA adjustment if she gets it.

OK OK I'll try Elena Miro next time I need jeans (soon actually). I've never been into Elena Miro but have been into Marina Rinaldi and it just wasn't my style.

I actually bought a pair of Diesel jeans which I really like in NY in not tall sizing and they are long enough. I think Diesel might even be an Italian brand so I'll search for it.

Deisel has its own shops, sometimes combined with Pink.

Diesel is an italian brand. I am pretty positive they have a store in Rome. Diesel can also be found in many other jeans and "trendy" casual shops.
I am a big fan of Diesel and have been wearing the jeans for the past 10 years. I am 6 feet tall and the jeans have always fit me great, especially in the length.
www.anythingbutdull.blogspot.com

Diesel jeans are really great. They always fit well.

Ramona, there's a pretty big Diesel shop on the Corso near Rinascente.