A day in the life of a designer
Goodwood– it’s not easy buying vintage when you are tall.
This year we had tickets for the Goodwood revival, but what to wear was obviously the challenge. The dress code was 1946 to 1966 however when you are not average height finding vintage is not easy.
I have a collection of vintage which I dug out of the cupboard. I decided the 1950’s bathing costumes weren’t suitable with the current weather forecast and my cellulite. So, I tried on all the dresses, which somehow no longer seemed to fit my slender waist (Hint of sarcasm there) and although they were all waisted styles they seemed to be empire line on me. Also, I could no longer cram my feet into my size six vintage shoes having strangely gone up two sizes when I reached 30.
After some deliberation and consultation of the weather forecast, which was poor, I decided on a sensible tweed suit (Once worn by my mother to ride her bike- obviously she isn’t vertically challenged either!) a pair of sensible brogues to secure comfort whilst traipsing around all day and a nice little felt hat and umbrella- All I needed to do was change my name to Maude!
So on the day we pottered off to Goodwood in our tweeds prepared for bad weather. By lunchtime the temperature must have reached thirty degrees and I was roasting in my tweeds, sheltering under a tree with my friends and using my umbrella as a parasol against the glaring sun.
However it was a fabulous day out with a stunning vintage market and glorious cars. Lots of cake, tea, gin, jazz dancing and glorious planes. Apart from the usual but always fabulous flypast from some spitfires, I had my first viewing of a flypast by a Vickers Vimmy which was so slow I managed to eat a piece of fruit cake whilst it did a circuit of the track.
It’s a day out I would definitely recommend, I thought I did really well as I didn’t open my purse once at the vintage market despite temptation. Although, it could still prove to be an expensive day as my boyfriend is now desperate for a vintage car.
Posted at 11:19AM Nov 09, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (0)
A very sparkly time
To celebrate Mike and I moving into our new pad we decided to throw a housewarming party for all our friends and family.
I decided that we needed to have a theme I mean let’s face it all the best parties are fancy dress- So, much to Mike’s dismay I chose “sparkles”.
I couldn’t wait to get my costume sorted! If I’m honest there was reason behind my madness, I’ve had my eye on the LTS Boutique Aliciat dress for quite some time now and the party was the perfect opportunity for its first showcase.
So, Saturday came and I was so excited to get the party started and wear my new dress and even if I do say so myself, it was a hit! I think I managed to convince a few of my shorter friends that they needed this dress in their lives too.
After lots of dancing and one too many cocktails, it was time for bed. Unfortunately, I think I went to bed before most of the guests even left- opps!
All in all it was a great night but I’m not looking forward to cleaning up- I suppose all the best parties are the messiest!
Posted at 03:55PM Nov 03, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Sam" Comments (0)
A day in the life of a designer
Thank god for wellies! 
After two weeks back home I was desperate for a bit of sun. Why did I go to Argentina in the Winter whilst England had its short-lived heat wave? So off we head to Devon for a long weekend full of fish and chips and cream tea. It got off to a bad start, it rained all the way and there was terrible traffic and some hideous accidents. We narrowly escaped an exploding roof box, a few cars in front which left a shiny pink parka with a white fur trim in the middle of the fast lane. The sad little girl it belonged to watching from the window of her parent’s car. But as we drew into Somerset and drew up to my favorite tea shop the sun came out and I was able to eat apple cake and clotted cream in the garden in bright sunshine. And that’s what we had for the next two days glorious sunshine. But it’s England and it just couldn’t last, by Sunday the rain couldn’t hold back any longer and out came our waterproofs.
English Summers have become a complete fashion conundrum. What does one wear? Thank God, Wellington boots are back in fashion! What would we do without Wellington boots in the 21st century? I wear them for walks in the country, walking to work, at festivals. They're a must and I even saw someone walking through Holborn in them with a really neat tailored black shift dress and I have to say she looked great although I really think she needs a fold up rain hat to finish the look off.
Posted at 02:22PM Oct 19, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (1)
Tall celebrities
What is it with the latest celebrity “du jour” and their insecurities about their height?! US actress and star of hit TV show Gossip Girl; Blake Lively is the latest to voice her concerns. It turns out the 21 year old actress is very self conscious about her height and fears men find her towering stature intimidating.
“I feel like a tranny (Transvestite) a lot of the time," the 5-foot-10 star told a recent US magazine "I don't know, I'm ... large? They (The shows producers) put me in six-inch heels, and I tower over every man. I've got this long hair and lots of clothes and makeup on."
The glamorous actress goes on to admit that her tall frame has made her feel unattractive:
"I just feel really big a lot of the time, and I'm surrounded by a lot of tiny people," she adds. “I feel like a man sometimes.”
Personally, I find it extremely sad that someone of such a young age has these huge insecurities about their height. I suppose it’s this kind of attitude that makes people feel as if any differences in society are wrong, but surely it’s better to stand out than just merely fit in?
After all there are so many successful, tall women in the world. Isn’t it better to be looked over than to be overlooked?
What do you think?
Posted at 02:20PM Oct 02, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (3)
We are each our own worst critics. Of course when you are tall like me, personal nitpicking comes easily, unfortunately. I'll be 39 in a month, I'm a mom to a 4 year old and we have just escaped with our lives from having spent 7 days in Algonquin Provincial Park interior camping. (We had a bear in our campsite)
My husband was making one of his super delicious dishes of French onion soup and needed a bottle of red. Oh joy! I was sent on a mission to the vintage section of our local liquor store wearing zero makeup and still very much smelling of campfire.
Cart blissfully full I got in line to pay. Ahead of me was a very tall chick with the most outrageous colourful outfit on wearing the most blank austere look upon her face. I was fascinated and tried to keep from staring. She wasn't attractive per say but her 12 different neon adornments she had precariously draped over and around her were really something to behold.
Just then, from behind me in line, I heard a very cute muscle bound frat boy ask me how tall I was!!! I took a second to compose myself and as I realized that two very gorgeous much younger guys were hitting on me, the one dude went on to say that my 6'2 height looks very beautiful on me....yes tall gorgeous ladies, let's remember that even without makeup, being a mom at the ripe old age of 39 AND smelling like burnt wood, our height will attrack 'em everytime!...
Check out Long Tall Sally's newest collection - leather jackets, wink wink
Posted at 10:40AM Sep 10, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (1)
Designer v High street
I’ve got to admit I’ve always been a high street girl, I suppose working at LTS has confirmed this! After all, there are so many collections that are equally edgy but you can’t tell the difference- So why pay the premium price tag?!
However, I must confess being tall can often be a hindrance in many high street stores as the latest looks generally don’t fit my long limbs!
That’s why I was so eager (I’m talking jumping up and down with excitement!) to see the new LTS Boutique collection. I’m always geared up when new stock hits the stores, especially this collection as it ticked so many boxes.
I love, love, love the Dhalia Floral frill front blouse paired with the Bryony skirt- very sexy secretary chic. I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Head office have worked hard creating such a well balanced but fashion forward range. This collection is as close to designer as you can get but with its own twist. I mean check out our version of the silver Gucci Jacket “Bryony”, the Marc Jacobs inspired check dress “Lily” and the Louis Vuitton zip coat “Snow drop”
Finally, as a tall girl, I can find fashionable, tall designer inspired clothes at a fraction of the cost- Hurrah!
Now what’s first on my shopping list…………………
Posted at 10:39AM Sep 01, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Sam" Comments (0)
A day in the life of a designer..
Was that a whale or my stomach?
So, I am back from Argentina which like England was in the grip of swine-flu fever. Most things in Buenos Aires closed down for four days to try to stop the spread of infection which fortunately prevented me from impressing the locals with my Tango moves as all the ‘milongas’ were closed. However, we still had a fantastic time.
The gaucho pant has been well and truly taken to heart as a staple fashion item, it’s like coals to Newcastle. They definitely love it here, I saw girls of all shapes and sizes strutting their stuff in gaucho style jeans. Not only did I shop and people watch but I spent a substantial amount of time in Argentina’s graveyards. Buenos Aires has the best graveyards you could spend all day wandering around looking at the beautiful graves and statues and reading the flamboyant epitaphs.
From Buenos Aires we went up to Iguazu falls on the border with Brazil, they were magnificent taking a boat ride into one of the biggest waterfalls in the world is the ultimate log flume ride. Then we went up to Salta in the Alta Plano by this time the huge quantities of steak were really getting to me so we made a conscious decision to head down to Patagonia where there are a lot of welsh settlers and head to a welsh tea room for afternoon tea. Lemon tart, Swiss roll, welsh cakes, scones, welsh fruit cake, lemon drizzle cake…..the plate was huge and all topped off with a cup of tea from a teapot wrapped in a hand knitted yellow and red tea cosy just like my Nana had. Then a walk along the beach listening to the whales gurgling and splirting….. Or was that my stomach????
Posted at 11:44AM Aug 20, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (0)
At JFK airport in New York City there's an Air train that runs from the terminals to the city's subway system. It's a needlessly complex way to get around the city, but the subway system came before the airport so they didn't run a train line all the way to the terminals. The only redeeming feature of this short, $5 ride is the last stop before getting to Jamaica station. Lining the ground near the tracks are single flip-flops that people have lost while making a mad dash to get on or off the train. The tracks are sealed off from the station by sliding glass doors, so when you lose a flip-flop there's no retrieving it. Whenever I got to that station (While visiting a friend there recently), I always hoped to see someone standing there with only one sandal, rifling through their luggage looking for a pair of shoes or accepting their fate and walking off the subway with one bare foot.
As we make this transition from Summer to Fall fashion at Long Tall Sally, try not to lose your flip flops along the way! Oh yes, we will be running to catch all of their incredible brand new collection which is very cool- And finally 2 choices of leather jackets - SCORE!! This is clothing that we don't need to fuss with just live easy in.
You might also see aerodynamic balances, geometrical shapes, interesting surfaces and unexpected textures that are emphasized in their big, bold and very black designs. Some pieces are androgynous, like the 'boyfriend jacket' and the new leather jackets like the new “Tracy” style which I've just ordered! The stark colour palette Long Tall Sally is offering also permits an abundance of creative mixing and matching to make a wardrobe stretch to its limits.
Minimalists, the tall gorgeous ones of course, ignore obvious trends instead marching to our own loud and dramatic beat! Walk tall and proud babes!
Posted at 04:21PM Aug 10, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Diary Entries" Comments (0)
