I Used To Think I Was Tall

At 5’9”, and living in New Hampshire, I’m very used to the common comments,

“You have such long legs. You’re so lucky.”

“Why do you wear heels?  You’re already so tall.”

“Have you ever considered modeling?”

“Did you play basketball in high school?” (anyone who knows me in the vaguest sense would realize the answer to that is a huge no)

Even though it can get a bit annoying at times, I’ve never really minded because I do love being tall.  I adore throwing on heels and adding a good three to four inches to my already statuesque height, towering above most of the other club goers and colleagues.  I felt so proud when I stood out at auditions as “the tall girl” and was thrilled with my lucky genetic coding.  However, suddenly in New York, I’m not “the tall girl” anymore.  It’s the norm to be 5’8” – 5’9”, and I suddenly feel short when standing next to the glamazons at the dancing call who tower above me at almost six feet or taller.

Not going to lie, it can get intimidating.  I don’t let it affect my performance and I try to stay out of my head as much as possible, but I can’t help but check out the other girls and admire their beauty and long legs.  They are so gorgeous, I always think of how jealous my guy friends would be of me if they got to see where I spend most of my days…amidst a sea of showgirls and Miss America look-a-likes.

When I do get jealous, I think back to my middle school days, when I was dying to be ‘average,’ or one of the super cute small girls that seemed to get all the attention.  Oh how my middle school self would cringe at my current desire to be even taller, even though that means a large narrowing down of potential suitors of the opposite sex.  I honestly never did think I would feel ‘not tall,’ but in New York, I strain myself for perfect posture and look forward to the couple extra inches my character shoes give me.

I guess that even though I will not be one of the tallest and leggiest girls anymore, I can comfort myself by knowing at least no one probably has my shoe size beat.  At 5’9”, I wear a 12 shoe…that counts for something right?

--Jacqueline Chambers

Comments

[Kathleen Sauer]

Hi Jacqueline!

I'm 5' 8 1/2" and a size 10 shoe but lately i buy size 11's WHEN i can find them.... more comfy,but few and far between.... where do you find the size 12's? I heard Zappos has more sizes but haven't tried them yet.

When I was a teen and complained about my larger feet, my Mom used to tell me I'd look funny with small feet because of my height. That helped me embrace it!

thanx in advance on shoe shopping tips!

[Liz Mayers]

Jacqueline,

I enjoyed this post! I'm 5'10" and have recently realized I'm not that tall. I do live in the NY metro area. I wrote recently about suddenly not feeling that tall at a Long Tall Sally pop up shop. You might find interesting. http://goo.gl/74xxb

Also, a resource for shoes is Barefoot Tess. You can find them online. Good Luck.