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Suit Looks Like a Lady

Yup, we’re back making obscure pop culture references. Today’s is clearly a play on the Aerosmith song, “Dude Looks Like a Lady.” Anyone else have that stuck in their head now? Sorry! We got the chance to see them in concert at Summerfest a couple of years ago and it was fun to see them still rocking out. A lot of times you don’t see power bands like that anymore, and they can’t really stick together until the end. It’s like if you’ve seen Bohemian Rhapsody, how they ended up separating but were still able to reunite for a final incredible concert. 

It’s like with rocking a power suit. You have to go full all in and own it because it’s a LEWK! A buttermilk colored suit?! Say no more. How much more of a statement can you make? The shorts were one of the items Caitlin was gifted from our Asos showroom visit. The Bermuda length is back and a lot of people are feeling it. Not typically our vibe, because it doesn’t feel flattering when it’s tight on our thighs and that length. But with this cut, it works really nicely. It skims over like our favorite tall culottes also from Asos.

Women’s power suits are very much on-trend right now and Caitlin was all about testing it out. From the first moment it dropped on the site, she was loving it. Think of the power suits your Mom used to wear (or at least ours did!) back in the 80’s/90’s. Then update it by dressing it down by exchanging pants for shorts and throwing a crop top underneath. It’s definitely not your Mom’s suit anymore.

Plus you can get more wear out of it by mixing and matching the pieces as separates. She’s already worn the blazer with a tiger print midi skirt from Asos and a mock neck turtleneck to work. We posted a shot of that on Instagram if you missed it! There’s always the option to wear a blazer with jeans, which instantly pulls together the look. The best part about these blazers is they don’t have shoulder-padding like your Mom’s old suits either. Why would that be the best part? As tall women, we bring the broader shoulders already! We don’t need shoulder pads when they’re genetically built-in!

We’ve both definitely embraced our broader than average shoulders, mainly because they fit our above-average frames. The only time we bemoan it is when the cut of jackets or shirts is pulling across our shoulders. The difference between our rib cage/torso size and our shoulders is a nuisance at times for finding well-fitting items. But these shoulders are powerful, and they help us stand up straight and create more of a presence. That is worth valuing and celebrating! Anytime someone can make peace with themselves or a specific body part they’ve struggled with in the past, we’re thrilled. It’s the only body you’ve got, so love it right!

I hope your week is off to a promising start. We’re super excited because we finally get our hair done tonight. We always go together, and we’re trying a new spot. We will definitely be showing it off tomorrow on Instagram, so stay tuned. Let us know below, have you ever bought a suit? If you have, are you into the updated options like with shorts that might be less “corporate-friendly?”

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Spotted, Being Tall

Has anyone else heard the fabulous news?! Gossip Girl is being rebooted! I remember reading the books in middle/high school and then I never really watched the show while it aired in real-time. Instead, I decided to buy one of the seasons and binge watch it. It was the first summer Caitlin and I lived together, but she hadn’t moved down there yet. Ok, I can’t exactly remember because I was watching The OC around the same time. But suffice to say, I fell hard for that show. I was completely enthralled with their luxurious, dramatic, silly lives. So when I found out this piece of good news, I was initially disappointed knowing that they were placing it 8 years after the original. Therefore I knew the original characters wouldn’t be participating in the new show or at least not in the same capacity. Buttt, I still think it’s a good idea to reboot. With social media being an ever prevalent player in our society, I’m VERY interested in seeing them show the effects of it in today’s youth. HAHA, WOW I sound old. 

Anyway, I hope you caught my little Gossip Girl reference in the title of today’s post! We love a good pun or play on words if nothing else we’re entertained by it. I think that should be a core tenet of why we do what we do with The Real Tall. It’s absolutely to bring value to other tall women, but if we’re not having a good time with it anymore then it shines through to you. The idea has been circulating recently because a lot of people have noticed a shift or lack in their engagement. This specifically refers to Instagram. You might have noticed people bemoaning the fact that no one is seeing their pictures or that Instagram changed their algorithm yet again. 

Our response to that is to stay in our lane. Our Milwaukee blogger friend, What Riva Wore, was just mentioning this on Instagram the other day and it completely resonated with us. There is a reason we started this as a blog, with Instagram as a wonderful addition. We have found plenty of value with using Instagram, but at the end of the day, we can’t control their changes. All we can continue to do is show up for you (whoever/wherever you are). We’re happy to do that, and we’re enjoying the creative time we spend together more and more. It has certainly been a journey and we can’t thank you enough if you’ve been around and reading these posts!

For a long time, I didn’t realize I was squelching my creative self. I’ve mentioned before, I used to hate to go shopping. This was for a number of reasons, foremost being that most places didn’t have clothing that truly fit me. Our Mom was just mentioning to me the other day, that I really “love” my clothing. This might sound materialistic, but really she was complimenting me that I have finally found joy in the items I buy. As a tall woman, this is a big deal! So we just want to say thank you again, for those that are following along on our journey with fashion. We’re no one special, just fashion lovers who are trying to share valuable tall items with you!

Along that vein is this black polka dot top. It is everything to me! This is one of the items we were gifted by Asos, and I have already worn it so many times. I’ve worn it with regular blue jeans, black jeans, and white jeans. Obviously, any of those in shorts length is fair game as well. The romantic puff sleeve puts this to the “top” of my top list. Plus being a tall size, the cropped length is very appropriate with high waisted jeans/shorts. 

I paired it here with my favorite dressier pair of shorts from Gap. I had these from last year because not everything can or needs to be new. They are the 4-inch inseam length, and I think they’re magical because of the A-line cut to give my thighs some breathing room. Plus they have the perfect type of stretch, where they won’t stretch out but they feel like nothing! They zip up the side so they lay nice and flat in the front. This pair is perfect for any Summer event you might have where you need to dress a little better than denim but still want to stay cool.

Overall, this outfit is a winner for me. I feel put together, and it’s because of the small details in each item. Sometimes it feels weird to want to buy all these romantic blouses and items, but then I’m always drawn to wear them first in my closet. So really I just need to be who I am and I’ll be a smarter consumer in the future! I hope y’all have a wonderful weekend! Tell us below, do you ever feel like you hold yourself back from purchasing certain items you’re drawn to? If so, why?

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The Lake: A Sensory Experience

It gets increasingly difficult to visit the lake for a two day weekend. I find myself imagining quitting my job and living up north until the weather turns cool. There is something so healing about being on or near the water. When things aren’t going right in your life, return to the lake for it’s healing properties. Every trip up there, I savor the individual senses. I breathe deeply, the pristine unpolluted air. I smell the unique lake air on a bright sunny day, or when the rain is coming. What can be better than smelling your dinner cooking on the grill after a day of running around and swimming in the lake? As well as basking in the scents of campfire as you wind down for the night, sharing your thoughts of the day.

Before we arrive at our place, our first glimpse of the lake is caught around a small curve and crossing over a dam bridge. Around sunset time is ideal. The waters will have calmed and the surface will be like glass. The sun will be lowering itself to the trees for a glorious display of colors. Each sunset is worth drinking in, and that’s just a quick glimpse from a car window. If we’re already settled in at the house, you will find us loaded on the Pontoon, puttering around the lake to maximize our sunset experience. Even the view from our western-facing porch is ideal. The sky turns pink and orangish tinted as we watch it drop behind the aptly-named Sunset Bay. 

The sounds of the lake are my sounds of serenity. Noise pollution doesn’t seem real until you remove yourself and experience the lack. The only noises competing are sounds of a summer thunderstorm, and more regularly the various insects and birds, and the beautiful tinklings of windchimes. If you’re close to the shoreline, perhaps the gentle sound of the small waves lapping the shore.

One of my favorite things at the lake is riding the pontoon out to the middle and joyously leaping into the water. First is the weightlessness of your temporary flight. Then feeling of the water enveloping your body,  and lastly the coolness giving you goosebumps. Diving down over and over again brings me back to that childlike giddiness. Once I’m tired of swimming, throwing myself onto a tube or the lily pad, is the next best option. Being rocked gently in the water, while simultaneously being warmed by the sun and cooled by the water is a luxurious feeling.

Lastly, the tastes of the lake are endless. Our family has brought about many wonderful traditions that I now associate with our time up north. For instance, we used to be able to pick out a super sugary cereal for our weekly vacations there. Mine would typically default to Cocoa Rice Krispies, but I’ve been known to dabble in Oreo-O’s and Rice Krispy cereal as well. As an adult now, I think more about drink choice as we’re cruising the lake. There is nothing more refreshing than a Vodka Tonic with lime. Every time I have one back at home, it brings me happy memories and gorgeous nights on the lake. 

I hope the picture I’ve painted helps illustrate why we’re drawn to lake life. There are so many redeeming things about our time spent there and we’re so grateful to have been raised with the important tradition of time well spent there. Lake Effect Co is a company founded on these same principles of understanding that life without lakes is no life at all. Don’t forget that we still have a discount code for 15% off using code THEREALTALL15  if you want to take advantage and snag any of their amazing new drops! We have been wearing our Chase More Sunsets tank tops and crop sweatshirts on repeat up north, as well as all of our other goodies.

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Wrapped in Summer Vibes

We’re definitely feeling the effects of Summer being in full swing. This weekend we drove back up north, in order to celebrate our Grandma’s 90th(!) birthday. It was truly a special weekend, and our family is collectively grateful that we’ve been blessed with her presence for 90 years.

We called her Granny Goat because everyone gets nicknames in our family. That led to some really fun and cute decorations. There was a goat on the cake, and our Mom sewed her an adorable goat print dress. She loves some polka, so they brought in a little polka band and by the end of the night, we serenaded her with a personalized version of the song, “Who the Hell is Alice.” Our family closed down the bar with some well-chosen songs, all in all, a great ending to a perfect day/night.

That makes us a bit groggy come this morning.  We could probably use an extra few hours of sleep. Instead, we’re gearing right back up for another busy week with one of our favorite things of Summer coming up this weekend. We do a river floating trip every year, and the weather is looking ideal. The heat wave has arrived and there is no better contrast, than the hot sun and the cool waters of the river! Do you have any fun summer traditions? We picked “America” theme some years back. This year we talked about changing it to Christmas in July, and apparently, people are all in on America because we got some push back. Easy enough for us, as we embrace any excuse to wear our patriotic gear.

With all of our activities happening, we’re just looking to streamline our wardrobes. Personally, I believe if you have the right pieces in your closet, it should make getting dressed in the morning a piece of cake. It has been funny timing because we’re getting hit with a heat wave, and all of the Fall clothing is being released. We just spent some time shopping at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and we will be sure to let you know how much of the items end up working for us tall women! For now, you can head to our Like To Know profile and see what we snagged.

As we look forward to Fall fashion drops, we’re trying to stay cool. Picking the right fabrics to wear is key to being comfortable. Take this wrap dress. It is super lightweight but it doesn’t sacrifice any structure. This is one of the items we were gifted by Asos from our London trip. It is so classy and flattering on Caitlin. The fabric folds in an ideal way to keep you looking ready for work or an event. It is a wrap dress; however, you won’t have to worry about any mishaps with it flying open because it is doubly secure with a button and a tie.

Caitlin mentioned that she probably wouldn’t have purchased this online without seeing it in the showroom. Typically their mini dresses haven’t been long enough for either of us. Once she tried it on we both knew it needed to come home with her (but it still definitely wouldn’t fit me). One of her favorite features is the asymmetrical cut on the bottom which makes it more comfortable. The dress has a very light waffling too it which adds a fun texture. The sleeve and shoulder length are both generous. All in all, this dress can be worn casually or dressed up. It is going to see a lot of action in the future. 

So tell us below, have you had any luck with their mini dresses? Also, tell us about your fun Summer traditions or how you’re spending the second half of your Summer!

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White: A Scary Outfit Choice

Truer words haven’t been spoken about choosing to wear white and consume food at the same time. The good news is, no food was in the vicinity of me and this outfit! A police station/fire department was, however; and they were more than a little curious about what we were doing with our camera and poses. We hope we put on a good show for them. Look how far we’ve come! We used to hide out and pretend we weren’t taking pictures and now we wave to people or say hi if they’re close enough. The times, they are a-changin. 

We’re barely making it through this week. We have a lake hangover because our extended weekend wasn’t nearly enough time to be up there. The weather couldn’t have been any better, so the days were spent floating in the lake. Our family invested in a lilypad this year, and we laid on it in the middle of the lake all day long! When night rolled around, you could find us playing our favorite yard games (like this game) and wearing our favorite party shirts. They have been a major theme in our nighttime wardrobes up north. 

The other theme fittingly is America everything. If it doesn’t look like America barfed the flag all over you, you’re doing it wrong. Plus if you want both a party shirt and ‘Merica pride, we found this option or this option for you. What more could you possibly want, am I right?! Plus they’re both under $20, so you can’t go wrong. I bought our entire family this brand for Christmas one year and they work really nicely for length, plus they usually have a coupon to apply for more than one shirt or dollar total. Ok, the irony is not lost on me that I’m talking about tons of color when I’m clearly lacking any color in today’s outfit.

I was inspired to do a breezy summer look in all white, by this white halter neck sweater I was gifted from Asos. There is a timeless effortless feel to summer knits done right. The halter neck added in, and somehow you’re looking chic in a “sweater.” That’s my kind of outfit. Plus the knit is super breathable, so no overheating. I did end up wearing this in a size 8, but I think it’s up to fit preference on how tight or loose you’d like it to be. This is a great look for Summer night out. You can wear jeans/pants without feeling out of season, plus when the temperature drops you won’t be shivering.

I’ve realized with a lot of crop tops being in, that most of my high waist pants aren’t actually that high waisted. Another failing of places making “talls” but not accounting for our longer butts and waists when identifying denim as high waisted. Luckily I had this pair of white distressed denim from Old Navy a couple of years ago. I wore them last year several times, here and here specifically. I think Old Navy has definitely improved their white denim, and that’s why I reach for these repeatedly. A lot of women aggressively avoid white for fear of staining them easily. I’m just living life on the edge every time I wear them. Luckily Old Navy has stay white technology to avoid stains, so it gives me a lot more confidence to rock them (while still being VERY careful around food).

Basically, we shouldn’t have to give up wearing all white after or before being a bride. Of course, except at someone else’s wedding. That’s a big no-no! So we want to know: do you feel like you can wear white? Do you avoid it because you’re afraid of spills, or it being unflattering? Sound off in the comments below.

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