Why Is Styling So Hard for Tall Women? | Tips to Elevate Your Style ft. Style Coach Christine Nelson

Good morning everybody. You are currently listening to a tall Girls podcast hosted by a tall girl named India. I hope everyone who's doing it today is doing super fantastic today. I have a very very very special guest with us today and you might actually be well, I'll say first, so, her name is Christine. She is a stylist, fellow tall woman and stylist. She has a lot of knowledge on styling for a tall woman. And I think you might actually be the first ever, if I'm not mistaken, stylist on this podcast, So there's a first for everything. Hi, Christine, how are you doing today? Great? India, how are you doing? I am doing fantabulous. The weather for the first time was not two degrees, so we're vibing with that. That's a beautiful thing. Of course. Of course, please please just take a second to introduce yourself to the audience. Sure. So, my name is Christine Nelson, and as India said, I am a professional personal stylist. So yeah, so I help women really dress for success, so feel great about the skin that they're in, the height that they're in. Really help them understand, you know, how to dress for their body shape and coloring. And just kind of pull it all together in one great package. Ooh, I love that intro. And you know you're one of us. So do you mind just telling us how tall you are? Sure? I am six foot four or I like to say five sixteen, But I get it. I did it first second, I was like five sixteen, But I get it because some people say like five twelve, yeah, and. A few that's smart. Now I want to hear about your experiences growing up as a tall girl, the good, the bad, the ugly. What was that like for you? Sure? Okay, So I am significantly older than you. I am fifty two. So I grew up in a very small town in Connecticut, and growing up six ' four in a tiny, tiny, microscopic town was challenging. I'll just say that. So I have to say growing up, I was always very shy. I'm not a shy person at all, but I think my height really brought me inward, and I really was not comfortable in the skin that I was in in elementary school, middle school, and it was not until eighth grade that the basketball coach had recruited me and he said, you have got to go on the team. And I'm thinking, I know nothing about basketball. All my friends said, we need you, we need just stand in the paint and put your hands up. That's all you have to do. My gosh, But truth be told, I was so hesitant to do it because I was afraid everyone would notice that I was tall in my uniform, like I had really long thin arms, little stick legs, and I did not want to put myself out there. And finally I'm like, you know what, I'm going to do it. My friends are on the team, the coach brings cookies. It's like a win win for everybody. We love cookies. Yep. Yeah. So that's kind of my how I got into sports. And I have to say sports is what brought me like great confidence. So now, like moving on in my later years, I wear a lot of different hats. So I married with two awesome kids. Yeah both all won six. Feet our daughter and then our son is six six wow. Yeah, and my husband's six feet. So I am taller than my husband. And it is okay, exactly, yes it is. I have silver heels. We can get to that. But throughout my life, I really I think basketball is the number one thing that gave me confidence. So from there, I played basketball in college. I played over in Europe and I came back to the States. I worked for the Hornets and the Sting in sales, which was great. And then I have been working in pharmaceutical sales for the last twenty six years for the same company, so I'm in the outside sales. And then I started this wardrobe consulting business about fifteen years ago, and I love it. I have to say, like what I thought I would love about in India was like the fashion part, like putting clothes together. But what I really found which gave me just tremendous gratitude and like joy, like great joy, is just helping women feel confident about where they are because there's so many things in life that knock us down, you know, whether we're with someone who's maybe talking down to us or maybe we're listening to society. We just don't feel good about ourselves. We don't look like everybody else. So it's like how do we build ourselves back up? So and then the other thing that was cool is I was actually I was on Fox News for three years and I hosted my own television set, which was a blast. Wow that honestly, it sounds like your whole entire journey has just it sounds like a very fulfilling one, is what I'm trying to say. It sounds like you did a lot and you had a good time doing it all. Yeah, And it's I feel like, you know, sometimes in life you don't know what you want to do when you're younger, but when you look back, I feel like my height, which I thought was the biggest thorn in my side and embarrassing, is what really kind of propelled me to really do well in life and open up a lot of doors. Oh, oh my gosh, I really really like that. Wow. And just like a little bit of a follow up, like, what was something involving your height? It could be a question, it could be a comment. What was something involving your height that you absolutely hated hearing I have to say? How tall are you? And did you play basketball? And so. What kind of stupid question is? I mean, let's be real, right, And here's the other thing I'm going to say. I'm just going to put this out here. So in my pharmaceutical sales job, my co worker is five feet tall. We do a lot together. I always say together we make a normal sized person. He was just self out. Yeah, exactly, level it out a little bit. So when we are walking let's say we're walking into an office together, it is astonishing how many people stop me and say, you're tall? Did you know you're tall? Did you play basketball? And my friend she said, this is so annoying, like you get this all the time, and how can you just like deal with this? And I said, you know what, Rene, I've been doing this my whole life, and it really makes you have two things. Number one is a thick skin and number two is a sense of humor. Yeah, definitely. And it's very interesting that even those questions come up in the workplace because you would think, isn't this a place where it's you know, kind of supposed to be neutral, like yeah, you know, not to make comments about race or ethnicity or anything like that, but like comments about height kind of like falls into that category in. A way totally. But you know, I think the difference is people perceive height as a positive. So that's why they feel like, oh, I'm just going to throw that out there. It's either that or they really want to talk to you because you're very different looking and they don't know how to strike up a conversation. So path of least Resistance. How tall are you? Yeah, that definitely makes a lot of sense. I get that. So you did mention that you literally have a whole wardrobing business. You've been doing this, You've been doing this styling thing for a while, and I want to ask, how did you first get into fashion and styling? So Ever since I've been very young, I have always loved fashion. I come from an extremely creative and artistic family, Like my mom is an artist. My Nana was a diva. I remember being sixty oh yeah, like drop it like it's hot. I remember being eight years old and looking at Nana thinking, why is Nana not wearing like jeans? Like Nana always had a pink scarf. She had the beautiful white press jeans with the seam in the front. She had the web shoes, like everything is just polished and beautiful, the pink lip, the whole thing. Wait, the big earrings. And I remember kind of ripping on Nana when I was young, and then I got to the point where I idolized her. And you know, she worked in many boutiques and so growing up in the seventies and eighties, there were not a lot of tall options for clothing. So I remember my favorite day of the year. Most people say Christmas, right, you know, not here. It was my parents saying, we're going to give you some money to get some clothing for school. So they would give us some money or give me money, and my mom would go with me and we go to Marshall's or something. And my mom I love her to death, She's a great artist. But like, I can handle this on my own, you know, when it comes to shopping, Yeah, stay there. And my dad would give me I don't know, I'll just say three hundred dollars. I spent every penny of it. So then I would come home and literally I would turn on the music. I had a little red carpet, and I had my own fashion I mean, looking back, it's terrifying that. No, we've all listen, we've all been there. I've had my fair share of fashion shows, just like you know, like those videos or means that are making fun of the fact that when you're younger you have like these performances for your parents. Oh yeah, yeah, you were just having one of those in your room. That's right. Everybody gets to pass right exactly. So from there, I've just always been drawn to fashion. My friends have always asked me for fashion advice or color advice, and I just have this knack like I guess I was just born with it. But I love it, like I love it so much. To me, fashion is art, you know, That's really how I look at it. Is your body is a blank canvas. Fashion is art, and whatever your style statement is, like, that's the way you portray yourself. So I just wanted to really again, it's like the first client that I worked with was the end. It was like, this is my calling, Like this is what I need to be doing. And I've met so many interesting people along the way, so it's definitely enriched my life in so many ways. That is so awesome. And you know, I do agree fashion is definitely an art because you know, we use it to express ourselves and that's what art is all about, whether it's actual visual arts, music, fashion, anything, it's used to express ourselves. And you know, just send a message out there. If you send a message and like be you, like, don't listen to what other people say, because, to be honest with you, other people don't know like you know you the best, So don't ever let someone say, oh, you're too tall for heels or you know, you shouldn't be wearing pants like that, like whatever, that's fine for you, but like I'm going to beat to my own drum exactly. I couldn't have said it better. And you know, it sounds like you're very passionate and knowledgeable about this subject. What are some of your go to styling tips and tricks that you've discovered that work especially well for tall women women? Yes, okay, so yeah, my I have a very special place in my heart for tall women. And my number one thing, first of all I'm going to say is knowing how to dress for your body shape and your coloring. It is critical. I mean, even when you're shopping, you know, you're perusing a rack of clothing. If you know what colors suit you and you know what style, shopping is so easy. So when it comes to trends, it's it's interesting because my thought on trends is I don't I don't really I'm not a big trend person. If they work for you, absolutely, but you know, build a capsule wardrobe with some great foundational pieces that work for your specific shape and coloring, and then from there, if you want to, you know, buy something trendy this season. That's great, but that would be my advice number one, number two. And I'm just going to put this out here so. I know, skinny jeans have like gone and now maybe they're back. And I got to tell you, I have been doing this for so long. Is I wear skinny jeans under like my tall boot and girl, I'm just telling you, like, if I sit down, I am just hoping that my my pant doesn't creep up over the boot line and then there's bare leg because I do have some pants that are so sure and I'm like, no one's gonna know it's all good. Yeah, I get that. Yeah, And just being creative with your dress. You know, accessorizing is a big thing, Like you can wear just get a great pair of jeans, then get just a T shirt and then a blazer. And you can do so many different things with it. So when I mean what I mean by accessorizing, scarves, belts, jewelry, hats, pins also being creative, like sometimes we know that blazers are tough, right getting the length on the arm and the waist. So I love a vest I think that's like a genius piece and also don't be afraid to think outside the box. So I got this awesome pair of jeans in New York. They're so cool. They're like seventies retro. They have vertical stripes, but they're a little bit of high waters. And I to myself, like, this is not a good look, but I'm not walking up store without them. So I took the genes to my local craft store and I found this great fabric and I brought it to my seamstress to just make a hem, like a trim on the bottom, and it gave me four inches and I absolutely love the pants. Ooh, so get a little craftsy with their. Stuff, Yeah, get a little creative. And you know, I think that's kind of becoming a bit more of a trend. Just I mean, like it's kind of been a thing, but especially like in the tall girl community, it's something that's at those times of necessity just diying things. Yes, make it fit, and I mean it's important, you know, having finding that correct fit. And you know that kind of leads into my next question of how does finding the right fit. You were talking about accessorizing, or you were even talking about building a capital wardrobe or embracing trends, if. That works for you. How do all of those things kind of help tall women feel more confident? So I think finding something that fits you is critical, especially being a tall woman. I mean, I'm not gonna lie. I'll go to like a Goodwill and I love a bargain, love thrifting, but I'll try a blazer on, and you know, the sleeves are like up here, and I'm like, I'll just put on like a hundred bangles. But there's something about trying on a garment that is specifically fit for tall you know. I mean it is like Christmas morning, you put on the jeans and they fit or they're a couple of inches long. Then I'm looking at my three and a half inch heels. I'm like, ah, I can wear these with the jeans or a blazer. So I feel like right now is a great time to be a tall girl, a tall teen, a tall woman. It's like a tall person's movement right now, and especially tall women. And there's so many amazing retailers that are now catering to us tall women. So it is like, hands down, so much better than it used to be. And I, for one, am just so I'm so thankful and I have so much gratitude for the tall retailers, like people starting businesses. It's so cool. Yeah, it actually is. And even like going back to your point of even when you give the example of the blazer for example, and it's like all the way up your arm and trying to find like stuff to cover it up, you know, it can be uncomfortable at times. And oh, yeah, you know our presentation does, even though you know, part of it is like how we like our aura in a way, yes, but even our presentation can affect our aura or affect how we you know, act around others and so forth. In terms of feeling good. And because I was speaking actually with another guest the other day and she was saying, like, you know, if you feel like you look good, then you feel good, and that is very important to remember when thinking about sin and access arizing or even whether or not you do trends. So yeah, it is really important to I could not agree more. Like when you feel good, you know, there's so many things that go great in your day. It's kind of like self talk in the morning. Yeah, like I could choose to have a really bad day and be like, oh, I feel fat today, This doesn't work, or I'm going to put on like my bright happy color and have a little fun with little faux fur and rocket, you know, listen to a little uh earth wind and fire going. To work and just you know, choose your attitude. But dressing in things that fit you impeccably, I think boosts that. Two other things I want to comment on because I think they're really important. Most women only wear ten to twenty percent of what is sitting in their closet. Like, that's crazy, isn't it. That's an issue. Actually, it is. An issue, it is. And then they where in the same rhyme or reason. So you don't need a huge wardrobe. You just need pieces that go together. And that's where like the color comes in. So that's one bit of h one little tidbit. The other tidbit is, and this is actually scary. When you meet somebody new, you form an opinion of that person within seven seconds, and that opinion is very difficult to change. That to me is staggering, But it's the truth. I mean, you think about yourself. You're in the grocery store and you're shopping for you know, the pray go you're right, We're having a great time, and then someone rolls their cart by. We look at that person. I mean not judgmental, like you're not thinking, oh, look at that plaid. Sure, I don't think so, but like in the back of your mind you actually do form. Opinions about that person. So when you're again in something that works for you and is a power color for you and you're feeling great, when people say to you, oh my gosh, India, you look so beautiful today, Like that color, it just brings like color in your cheeks and your eyes are sparkling. That that is like a great isn't that a great feeling to hear. When someone says that, Yeah, of course. So it's it's kind of like you got to put your best foot forward. And I realized that in the corporate world as well. Is you know, sometimes I'm in sales, so you really have to be the whole part. You have to be confident in who you are articulate. But I feel like wardrobe and how you dress and show up is one of the most important things because that makes you memorable as well. Yeah, especially as someone who you know is kind of I mean on a part time basis we're kind of entering that business corporate world and stuff like that. Especially being in marketing too, how you show up and how you present yourself is very very important. So I definitely agree with that. Yeah, you know there. It was also like a little point that you made in the middle when you were talking about, you know, like the tall women movement and now more brands are catering to us like their businesses now, like the tall girlies are starting businesses to you know, actually make actual tall clothing for us. But then it's kind of like a flip side in a way, not necessarily with them, because there is a lot of debate about whether fashion brands, especially bigger brands, bigger retailers, actually cater to tall women. Like it's the debate is like if they actually cater to us or if they're just you know, trying to be inclusive just to say, yeah, like we have tall we're inclusive. And I want to know, like what your take is on that and kind of like if you notice that, if you think that these brands are actually genuinely trying to create inclusive options for us. Yeah, that's great question. So my personal opinion on this, and I don't know if this is a right opinion or a wrong opinion, But when you look at some of the bigger retailers, I always look at it from like a profitability standpoint, and like who are we catering to and why? So we know that us tall fashionistas, we don't make up a huge percentage of the general population. So I think that part of it is to be honest with you, Like Caitlin Clark, I'm sorry, WNBA basketball, like women's basketball in general, women's volleyball. Like, there's so many awesome women, tall women, and I think, you know, watching them go down the red carpet or the awards ceremony, I am looking at these women like, oh my gosh, these are runway models. I mean, they are stunning. They're addressed to the nines. So I feel like some of it is, let's check a box. You know. Also, when you look at what tall is considered a lot of these tall retailers, like big big brand retailers, it's five eight and above. Okay, five eight? What No, Like, it's not gonna work at all. I love the desire, but that's that's not where it's at. So all of these tall retailers that are coming up, the tall brands by tall women. I am all about. It because they really know like what the problems are. It's not just I need a longer pant. I need to like adjust the rise of the pant, you know, the seam of the pant. I'm thinking about things like with the arm, like the arm size, and like the collar. Do I want like a really we could probably wear a wider lapel versus like our petite friends. But it's totally in proportion and designed for tall women by tall women. So I think it is like the best thing ever. Yeah. Yeah, I mean part of me is kind of like, you know, these big, bigger retailers, as you said, could do better. But then the other side is it's also making space for the businesses, smaller businesses with small tall businesses. Yeah. Oh I love that small tall business. Yeah, these small tall businesses. It's not my term though somebody else they did, okay, but it's making space for them to truly shine, you know. Yes, I mean there's pros and cons to everything, honestly, but I do also want to ask, like, what's your go to brand? Okay? So I have so many I honestly am a chameleon with my dress. Like I'm an athlete, so I love forty stuff. My daughter's like, mom, going in your closet is like a circus. There's like fringe, Western, first Sparkle. I mean, you name it. I got it, so I couldn't just name a couple, but I'm just gonna start talking. I love tall size because I think it is a genius, genius idea because I personally love scrolling the internet. None of my tall friends would ever do that. So it's a one stop shop. Right, we go there, we make it happen. I just think it's there. Yeah, it's amazing. It's such a cool thing. I love American Tall. I'm actually an ambassador for them. It's pretty fun. Yeah. Then I love long Tall Sally. I just got this killer jacket from them. It's like a navy leather jacket and it fits like a glove. I wore it to work the other day. I literally six people commented on it because it fits. You know, it's not black. Black's too harsh for my palate. It's navy, so it's a softer color and it actually fits. Okay, So that's good Alloy apparel. I like them for pants in particular. I love buckle for jeans, so. Buckle that actually, yeah, you. Can actually filter down by your waist and then your en seam and it will just automatically populate jeans. Gap Tall. I gotta tell you I found Christmas, I mean Gap Tall with my kids. The delivery man kept delivering packages one after another, and I'm thinking, you, you got to throw this behind the bush because my husband's coming from work and I am wearing Gap Tall out so love Gap. Tall for shoes. I wear size twelve. I think it morphing into a thirteen because the arches are dropping. I mean, ain't so. Say it ain't so. But I love Zappos, I love Nordstrom rack. I'm just gonna take this food off right now and show you this little. Baby, Oh shiny Johnson. It's so shiny, so shiny. Can you like describe it a little bit, like maybe yeah for the audio listening. Sure, Okay. First of all, I'm like a big fan. I love detailing, So look at the bottom. Okay, I love this color. It's a black heel. I'm gonna say it's a three inch he old, maybe two point seventy five inch heel. Okay, but it's nice black heel. It's very comfortable, and it just has like all of these crystal rhinestones on there, so it is soary and fab and it's got a side zipper. Okay. Now, the one thing I will say, I am such an open book. I feel like the top of the boot is a little bit tight, So if you have like a thicker calf, I don't know, you know, personally I would wear probably unzipped because it's so fabulous. But they're just great, Betsy Johnson. I just ordered a pair of Sparkly speakers again. I need to find the ups men. We love Sparkles though. Honestly, yeah, I know when in doubt bling it out exactly. Oh my god, I like that one and don't bling it out. Thank you so much for sharing all of this, all these tips, all like the brands, even even some recommendations that I didn't even know about, Like that was so awesome. And I do have one last question. Sure, what is this is like a staple? Now? What is one piece of advice that you want to get to the tall girls who I listen right now, who are struggling with their self esteem because of their height. Yeah, first of all, I think you're not alone. Like, if we're being honest, we've all been there. I mean I disliked being tall for so long, I told you, until I found basketball. But I would say, number one, you have to know that, like you are different, but you're beautiful and like you're unique, and know that about yourself, like if you have to just tell yourself that, But you truly are so beautiful and special and unique, and you might not realize that at a younger age, but when you get older, Like I would not change my height for the world. It's my favorite thing, like that I have this gift and know that people are going to talk about it, so be proactive, you know, instead of reactive. I have like a couple jokes that I can just rattle off. But I also love people. So you look at your height like a gift. It opens up so many doors, It opens up so many conversations. It brings you to like so many interesting people. And I think what you'll find is when you stand up straight and you feel great about how you know, how you look inside, how you are, what you're wearing outside, like it shows to the world, and just don't let anybody cut you down, Like don't do it. Just be like you know what you be you that's fine, but like I'm doing my own thing, and I'm doing it pretty. Darn well exactly. Oh my gosh, I love that advice so so much. Thank you so much, Christine for just sharing that, sharing all of your experiences and so forth, and just being on this podcast. It was honestly amazing to have you on here. I loved it and you're like such a joy. So thank you so much for having me. Thank you, And please, where can we find you on the interweb? Like, so, yeah, let's say anything. Yeah, So I have an Instagram Christine Nelson's style coach, so that's probably the best way to find me. I do a lot of like. Interesting videos, so I don't just do fashion, but I love putting a smile on people's faces. I do not take myself seriously. But I also do virtual I do virtual wardrobe styling, I do color analysis. Obviously I do it in person as well. So that's the best place to find me. Oh okay, and everything is going to be linked in the description, so it's easy for y'all to click on. And of course I'll. Take a second to plug myself out a Tall Girls podcast, you know the drill. Search me up on Google ban wherever. The Internet is probably sick of me by now, but I'm not sick of this. So we're going to keep pushing all of both of our socials. All of our information is going to be in the description. Thank you again listeners for tuning in, and thank you again Christine for being on here. It was honestly a pleasure. Well, thank you India. And again I'm going to say this, I've said this before, but I think what you're doing is like masterful and so helpful, and I know it's a lot of work, but like you're doing the best thing that you could for all of us tall women. Thank you so much. I really appreciate that I do. This is something that I've enjoy and I hope to be doing it for a very very long time. You can tell yeah, thank you and yeah and until of course, if you have any questions or comments for either one of us, you can hit us up, guys, and until then we'll catch you with the next one. Good night and goodbye bye.