A night out from a tall girl’s perspective

A little backstory – I’ve been 5’10 since I was 12 years old. While everyone has always told me how “lucky” I am to be blessed with my height, I was embarrassed by it for most of my youth. Being tall and lanky made me the awkward looking girl throughout all of middle school (and most of high school). This meant that I was taller than almost every single boy I had a crush on, which made me a bit self-conscious to say the least. And even now, going out doesn’t make things any easier…

Stage 1: Choosing an outfit

After carefully planning my outfit in my head all day, I pulled it out of my closet and put it on. Nothing complicated, just a pair of high waisted jeans and a crop top. My jeans were way too short – not even close to my ankle – so I was forced to roll them to make it look like I had purchased them with the intentions of them being cuffed all along. My top took the cropped style to a whole new level, rising up far above my belly button.

What’s a girl to do when every article of clothing she owns is designed for someone significantly shorter than her? Evidently nothing. I started to wonder if my clothes had always been too short, or if I just shrunk them in the wash accidentally. “Did I grow?” I questioned to myself. It was far too late now regardless, so I stopped my mind from wondering.

Stage 2: Towering over your friends

“What shoes are you wearing?” I asked my roommate.

“Definitely my bootie wedges,” one of my roommates responded.

Wedges. Not exactly what I was in the mood for, but I guess it’ll do. I wasn’t sure if I was in the mood to be commented on my height multiple times in one night yet again, but it seemed inevitable at this point.

As I said, I still had slight PTSD from being taller than just about every boy in my life. It wasn’t until my junior year of college that I started accepting my height and began wearing any sort of high-heeled shoes. As a senior, it was still a bit new to me.

Unsatisfied with the current status of my combat boots, I decided I would wear my bootie wedges as well. My roommate casually strutted into the kitchen, dressed and ready to go with her five-inch wedges on, while I dug through my closet looking for mine. I pulled out my three-inch ones and put them on. I was still much taller than she was.

Stage 3: Looking like a giant in pictures with your friends

We met up with the rest of our friends and headed to the bar. “Let’s get a picture,” my roommate suggested. We all agreed, and our one brave friend asked a stranger standing nearby to take it.

“Whoa,” the stranger said. “I’m gonna have to back up to fit you all in!” he joked.

As I gazed at my girlfriends standing on either side of me, I immediately realized he was indirectly referring to my height. Even though I’m tall, I tend to forget about it until someone else takes notice. No big deal, I laughed it off with the rest of my friends and the stranger took the photo.

You don’t realize just how tall you look until you’re standing next to people who aren’t even reaching your shoulder. My friends all gawked over the photo while I squinted my eyes and tried to see the good in it. Just another picture I looked like a giant in… But what else is new? *Sigh* 

Stage 4: Getting hit on with pick-up lines that are basically just pointing out your height

Now more conscious than ever as to just how ridiculous I must look standing next to my friends, I looked around to see how much taller I was than everyone else in the bar surrounding me. I could see the tops of multiple people’s heads, both girls and guys. I could count on one hand how many people were taller than me. Yikes.

My friends and I were having a great time. As per usual, with each drink I began to even forget that I was even wearing any sort of heel in the first place. I was feeling confident and was having fun. What could go wrong?

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. First of all, who does that? Secondly, I knew there was no way it was one of my friends. My mind panicked when I quickly realized a few of them had dispersed to go to the bathroom, so I was basically alone.

I turned around. At first glance, I didn’t see anyone. Keep in mind, with my heels on I was over 6ft tall. My eyes slowly looked down a few inches, and were met by a guy’s whom I had never seen before.

“You’re really tall!” he exclaimed. “How tall are you?!” He was much shorter than me.

I knew it was too good to be true. I had almost gone an entire night without those words being said, and now with nowhere to turn, I was trapped. Reeled in by his shitty pickup line, I reluctantly told him my height and was trapped in a conversation that I couldn’t seem to get out of.

Stage 5: Feeling at ease standing next to someone your size

After what seemed like an eternity, my friends came back and saved me from the painfully awkward interaction. Still worried that the guy would come back, I checked my phone, praying for a text from my boyfriend that he was on his way to the bar. Like clockwork, I received a text, “I’m here, where are you?”

I was saved. My boyfriend walked through the door, and even through the sea of people I could see him. He’s 6’3, so it’s hard not to notice him. As he walked over, I immediately felt much more comfortable to be standing next to someone significantly taller than me. Plus, with him around I knew I wouldn’t have to deal with any sort of smart remarks from anyone about my height.

Stage 6: Self-realization

At the end of the night, despite a few minor awkward situations, I didn’t regret my decision to wear heels that night (or in the nights to come). I let my height get to me for much of my youth, and I wasn’t about to let it continue through adulthood. After all, it’s all about self-confidence. What others think of you is such a small part of the very big picture.

Fellow tall girls – own your look! Wear 3-inch, 4-inch, hell, even 5 or 6-inch heels. As long as you feel comfortable with yourself, that’s all that matters.

@kmk5753