The Tall Truth: How Fashion, The Media, and Society Fail Tall Women ft. Heidi Burns

Good morning everybody. You are currently listening to a Tall Girls podcast hosted by a tall girl named India. I hope everyone who's sitting in today is doing super fantastic. I do have a very very special guest with me today. Her name is Heidi, but yet another tall fashion You love having the tall fashionistas on our podcast, and we have another tall fashion needs to hear with us, and I'm very very excited to get into this conversation with her. So Hi, Heidi, Hi India, how are you doing today? I'm very well, thank you. I just got back from Spain yesterday, so I'm back in the UK all as well. Wait is it like hot in Spain? There's the weather? Is the summer there? Basically the weather was for Fibruary the weather was really good actually, so uh yeah, back in the UK now it's being nice and sunny, so I can't complain today. It's the way I've like, it's March right now. Well obviously we're all in watching now. But for some reason, when you said February, I'm like, wait, like February was literally just last month. Like once March hits, I'm like, it's sprying. We're getting ready for summer. I don't know what got into me anyway, super glad that you've had an amazing trip and you've got back safely. Thank you. So yeah, please just take a second to introduce yourself to the audience. Perfect. So yeah, I'm Heidi hides Tall on my socials. I'm thirty four from the UK, and I'm on a mission to help women improve their confidence around tool fashion. And I'm five to eleven. Ooh, we love to hear that, and I love that little intro, like you're here to help tall women feel confident in their head through fashion period. That's what this podcast is all about, helping tall goodies feel confident. Now you did say you're five eleven. Whole girl community, I want to hear about your experiences growing up as a toll girl, the good, the bad, the ugly. What was that like for you? Absolutely? So I'd say the good was naturally you kind of find out what you're good at. So I was great. At netball, stereotypically the goalkeeper defending that really high tall net I could also jump well above my peers in high jump. So I took a liking to athletics. Yeah, I just generally love sports and that's kind of continued. With me like all throughout. And I also got to dip into. A little bit of modeling and got to do some really fun jobs there, and yeah, funny enough actually through Instagram, and I've just reconnected with a girl after seventeen years. Who I used to do some modeling with, which I think is. Just like the amazing kind of amazing beauty of like Instagram. Isn't it like reconnecting with people again? But yeah, I definitely say the bad is kind of the early memories of me and my mum going around the shopping center and really struggling to find clothes that were fitting. My growing long limbs that. I'm sure you ladies can relate to that one. And I was like tall and skinny, so my mum would need to sew everything after to make sure it fitted me. And then yeah, so ugly, like probably when it came to starting to date, especially in like real life dating, when it came to like, you know, clubbing with my friends, like I felt that men would often gravitate towards like more petite women, and maybe after a few drinks in the club, I was kind of scouting out looking for like the really tall guy in the club and then yeah, perhaps the next day like feeling a bit deflated, like, especially after alcohol has been involved, that you know, there was never going to be anyone for me, which is so so ridiculous. So bizarrely, I actually found like dating apps like actually a bit kind of kinder. In that regard. Really, I guess. Sort of men had like sort of you know, superficially like done the filtering on on my height. And although I once dated a guy that was through dating app and he was six foot five and I was five eleven and he would call him the big giraffe and me the baby giraffe. And there was another guy that called me big foot. So yeah, I had some interesting interesting experiences. But I'm really like extremely that now I'm with a partner that loves me for who I am. He loves my heights, and he is such a little supporter of heids till even getting in my videos, and he even I told him that I want to re embrace the heels last year and this year and Christmas just gone, he brought me a pair of heels. So he listens as well, which is great. Period, quite blank. We love that we love a supportive partner. But yeah, I'm sorry, somebody you dated calling you bigfoot is kind of crazy. I'm not gonna lie to you. But that's why they're in the past. They're in the past period. Absolutely, he was not going to be exactly Now, what was something? I mean, you know, honestly, that could have been it, But what was something involving her height? Could be a question, It could be a comment that you absolutely hated hearing. I think it's probably the classic broad statement of oh my god, you're so tall, like we hear. We probably hear it like every day, and it can feel like such a broad statement. And I think men as well also growing up, like it would be the same for them in school and college when they were shooting up. But I kind of just wish that when people say that, they would tag it on with a little compliment on the end, like you're so tall, but that's so wonderful. Often you just feel like so broad and that you don't know where you stand. I think we get so used to it as tall women, don't we hearing that one? Yeah, I would love to hear that you're tall and beautiful, tall and smart, tall and wow words amazing, something of that sort. But yeah, I definitely feel you on that one, because I mean it's like it's so generic and it's like, oh, is it like nothing else for you to say, like screw it at this point, like we might have lot to see it as a compliment just say thank you because I don't know. But yeah, much of your content, as you said before, on social media revolves around top fashion. How did you get into top fashion in your social media content and what are some of the challenges you may have faced trying to find stylish clothing as a tall woman. Yeah, my socials came from a place where I had been following a lot of wonderful girls myself, but they were all completely different proportions to me, like often you know, much shorter, and whilst I could take plenty of inspiration from them, it was also a bit deflating knowing that nothing would fit me what they're wearing. And I was in and I found this dress that made me feel amazing. It was truly built for a tool girl's figure, and I just had a moment. Where I turned to my best friend and said, right, that's it. I'm going to showcase the best of the best for us tool ladies on Instagram and help tool girls like me cover their peaches and feel fabulous. And that's what I've tried to do ever since, because there's just not. Any greater feeling than you know, when you put on a good outfit, I feel like you can take on the world. But sometimes that's rare to come by when we are tool girls. So yeah, now I mainly follow tool ladies. We all hype one another up, and you know, of course it'll follow everyone else as well. And take inspiration from too. But I really wanted to create a community where as women, we. Share and discuss and inspire one another. And yeah, I did recently do a poll asking my audience, like do you want to see. The bad fitting clothes as well as the good ones? That most people actually just want to see the good ones, and I can kind of relate to that because it's so hard to find good fitting clothes that, yeah, like, I don't want to see the bad ones. I've had enough of that in my time. I do like to throw in plenty of tool girl humor still with my content, But in terms of like the challenges that I've found shopping, you know, growing up and shopping as a tool woman, it's probably just settling for clothes that weren't made for my body, whether it be you know, leaves, the legs, the torsos, the mini dresses, and the high Street just assumes that us too, ladies are going to fit into the mainstream and that you know, we will make do. And yeah, I must say sort of like a sas and long tool Sally have been great advocates for US tour girls, but you still search on asos and there's not you know, one single blouse for US tool women. So there's definitely a way to go. And I'm really loving seeing you know, fast growing fashion brands like Odd News London create. Tool rangers for US girls. And really please through Instagram and community that there are toll ladies who have walked the walk themselves and now turning to create their own tool fashion brand like Helen from Skyback Swimwear, or Abby from Olin London, Finn from Finn Letter Designs, or Angela from Lived Tool like to all create wonderful tool clothing and you know platforms like tool Size or communities like tool Girl Approved or your podcast India, because when we do find a tool win, I just feel that we have to shout about it. I'm share it with our girls. So yeah, but. Definitely something I have also noticed from growing up that I think globally we are getting tall error as well, because I remember growing up the tool clothing ranges in the shops were like it's anyone that's like five seven, five eight and above, and now like the shops have shifted to like, okay, to range just for five nine, five ten and above. So hopefully we continue to make some good, good improvements. Yeah, for sure. I also think like part of it could also be the fact that we're just we're at least talking about it more. I'm pretty sure when they've done like their market research or whatever they do or claim that they do, because we don't know if they're actually doing it, you know, they've probably found that, hey, you know, there are people out here taller than five seven, five eight, you know, maybe we should start catering to them. And even when they as you said, for example, with a sauce that yes, they have tall options, but the variety just isn't there, because yes, you have some tall options there, but what about those pair of pants that I saw in that color, you don't have that tall or the blouse that you said that you mentioned you don't have that and tall the sleeves are still going to be short. So I definitely agree that there's a lot more work that needs to be done, essentially, absolutely. And you know, you did speak a little bit before about social media and how when you saw the short girlies on social media, like trying on their clothes and so forth, you're like, oh, but like why doesn't it fit meet? You know, and that kind of shows the power of social media, especially for tall women and basically how to sects their confidence and so forth. So I wanted to ask, how do you feel about the representation of tall women in social media or even just the media in general, like in television shows and movies and so forth. Do you think it's good? Do you think it's bad? I mean, I just want there to be a place where everyone can thrive, as I you, whether you're you know, really tool, you get criticized, or if you come in another shape or size, you get criticized as well. And I think we've come a long way with inclusivity, which includes you know, tool inclusivity, but there's still so much more to do. And you know, I love to see two women in. The media and you know, people like Benis Williams or Nicole Kidman, and yeah, we just need to be shouting about them more. So maybe we can use our platforms India to showcase them more. There's definitely more to do. That, No, exactly, I kind of agree with that too, Like more tall women and more tole women doing great things. I feel it could definitely be beneficial because even that you have the stereotype of us being more aggressive, more masculine, more intimidating and so forth because of our height, and because height is seen as a max feeling trait. There are not obviously not everybody, of course, and of course you have the people who actually get to know us and see who we really are. But I would probably say at first glance, for the most part, it's kind of a thing of people just assume a lot of these I don't want to say negative but to us in a way negative traits when they first see us. So I just think that maybe having some more like you said, for example, was Venus Williams, having more positive representations out there could be beneficial for us, you know what I mean exactly? Yeah, And you know I did touch like a little bit on the whole societal norms, or maybe we can get a little bit more into it, so from like a broader scale, How do you feel about the idea that tall women are often expected to downplay? Because you know, I did mention before, like we're often seen as aggressive, intimidating, masculine, so forth and so on, and in order to be accepted to a certain extent, we kind of have to hide, downplay our height even at times. I don't want to say insult ourselves, but you know how you make like rude jokes about yourself and you just laugh. How see who else laughs? And move forward? Like how do you, like, have you had experience with that, with having to downplay your height? How have you seen it other people have to go through that? Like what are your thoughts on that? Yes? I have, indeed, you know, there's this whole thing about how women shrink themselves. But society has conditioned us in that way that women should be more delicate and take up less space and then should be the bigger presence. Like I've been told in the workplace that I need to improve on my posture, and you know that just showed up in a subtle way then, but I'm like, oh no, I'm standing well above my piers, Like of course I'm gonna shrug my shoulders a little bit. So you're telling me I had to, you know, remember what to say correctly in the meetings. I'm tool push. My shoulders back. But you know, I think every day is just like I'm trying to build a reminder of like not shrinking into that mold. And if I can and help in showing up every day on social media that we should not dull our life for anyone and you know, continue to shine really brightly regardless of these compromises, then yeah, we can all do our little bit there. Yeah, for sure. I mean, well, it's very interesting that you said. Even in the workplace, somebody is like making comments such as that, like do you feel like in the workplace you're what is like the word or the term or the phrase like do you think you often get comments relating to your height in the workplace. Often for me, it's more come from a place of confidence. So I've been told by quite a few of my previous like. Managers that you know, I need to improve on my confidence, and I think that has definitely My height has definitely been a factor into that, like, you know, always being much taller than my peers and other things. Of course, I'm maybe not always going to be the most confident, and I've learned as I've got older to embrace all of that. But yeah, it's all a huge journey of self acceptance, isn't it. Yeah, for sure. And you know that also does tie into the the norms. Yeah, the notion that taller people are more confident and so forth, and that's why they earn more money in the workplace, and da da da da. But whether or not that's the same for tall women and tall men, like, that's a whole different conversation for the other another day or whatever, because I don't know. I just feel like there's a lot more that plays into the whole realm of yeah, being more successful in the workpla is earning more money in the workplace as a tall person. There's a lot more to it than just being tall. But realistically, that's how it is. I'm sorry, we're gonna say something. That is so true. Yeah, yeah, Well, thank you so much for just sharing your experiences being a tall woman and so forth. And we have reached our last question. What is one piece of advice that you want to give to the tall girls listening right now who are struggling with their self esteem because of their height. Firstly, self esteem can be such a common thing that you know so many of us have struggled with, myself included, and my one advice would be believing that you are worthy of everything that you desire, regardless of your height, and just knowing that that can take time on your own journey. But when when you're kind to. Yourself and when you surround yourself with supportive people, you'll get there. And I think self esteem it fuels your confidence as well, so it's like a stepping stone that allows you to try new things and take more risks with your life. And people often tell me like, oh, you're really brave doing that, and I feel like it's come back from it comes from having strong self esteem that person I've worked really hard on, but I recognize that I still also have a long way to go as well. Definitely not been a linear path, like it's been a rollercoaster through my teens, twenties and even into my thirties. There's been times when. That has dipped, but like and times when it's sold but looking back, I've seen that every setback has been part of building resilience and it shapes you into becoming like the women that you are today, and often it's the reason why people love you so much as well. So yeah, like you know, welcome. To your tall girl community because that's what we're here to do as well, support each. Other, Yeah for sure. And also to add on to that, I think it's also great to note that there are just several factors involved in trying to become confident, trying to love your height, trying to embrace your height. There's so many things involved, just like fashion, for example, what is primarily what you do. Fashion plays a part in it. The people you surround yourself with plays a part in it. Heck, even your posture can play a part in it you're surrounding. There's just so many factors. And with these saying that it's not linear, it's like true, one aspect can do great and other aspects can be literally stix feet beneath the ground, you know. So there is just important to focus on things, on each thing, one thing at a time, and try to instead of focusing on the whole entire picture and trying to be like I have to love everything about being tall, just trying to see one thing at a time, one thing at a time, one thing at a time. And I think that kind of slower paced model, it's or a paste idea as what I'll say is something that can definitely be helpful. Absolutely huleheartedly agree with that. India, and yeah, be kind to your journey and you know, surround yourself with the supported people in your life. Yes, support of people here only periods. Thank you, Thank you so much Tidy for being here on the podcast to talk about your journey and give that amazing advice. Where can we find you on the internet, like drop your socials, like where where can we find you? So hides tool predominantly Instagram, but also TikTok on YouTube. So actually you should mention as part of my own self esteem confidence journey, I would love to get this year it's a long form video. Like you know, we talk about confidence and self esteem and for me, it's been so scary just to put a camera in front of my face and talk to stories or come on this podcast for instance. Yeah, yeah, I would love to get to the goal of doing longer form video. So you know, as I talk about my journey. I know I've got a long way to go still, but I'm really happy to be here and be showing up and yeah, be part of this wonderful, wonderful community. Yeay, oh my gosh. And all of your links of course are going to be in the description, so all until girlies could follow you. And then I'll take a second to plug myself at a Tall Girls podcast, Instagram, to TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, Google, whatever, wherever the internet exists. If you look me up, I will be there, Perie. Thank you again, hide so much for joining us today. It was amazing having here. Thank you dyah, and yeah, make sure you hit me up, make sure you hit Heidi up. You can hit both of us up, and just let us know what we thought about this episode. And of course if you want to add anything to the conversation, feel free to do so. And until then we'll catch you in the next one. Good night and goodbye.