Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Male to female transsexual talk (MTF) => Topic started by: Icephoenyx on September 20, 2009, 09:58:55 PM

Title: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Icephoenyx on September 20, 2009, 09:58:55 PM
I am a 6'1" MtF and I have noticed that being tall, I always pay more. In the rare instance that I can find a place that sells larger shoes and tall clothing, it costs more than it is worth. Way more!

The average pair of shoes I see in a size 12 US costs double the same shoe in a size 7 would cost. Same with clothing.

Of course, I could go to online retailers, but there are very few in Canada (and even less who ship there). Even if I do go online, the shoes are again very expensive, even without shipping costs and the hassle for returns. Plus, you can't try them on before you buy, so you're taking a big risk.

As if we don't have enough to worry about already.

Chrissi
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Wendy1974 on September 21, 2009, 12:08:02 AM
I feel your pain. I am also 6'1" and have size 12 feet. I never pass a Payless without going in and seeing what they have in their size 12 section. That section may be tiny but it's there which is more than can be said for most other shoe stores. When it comes to the specialty tall stores I can only afford to shop when they have sales on because their full prices are very expensive, unfortunately I can spend all day in a mall and if I come out with more than one top then I have done amazingly well, you can forget finding a dress or a pair of pants in a regular store when you are our height. What I wouldn't give to be just a couple inches shorter and a single shoe size smaller!
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Myself on September 21, 2009, 05:37:42 AM
Are these US sizes? are there any shoes at 9, 9-1/2 or 10?

When does it start getting hard to find shoe size?

What is the average shoe size?
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Windrider on September 21, 2009, 07:40:40 AM
Welcome to women's clothing. For the record, plus sized women also get charged more for clothes. I've seen anywhere from $10-30 more for 1x-3x and $50+ for 4x and up. Also retailers have changed what constitutes a size. A 1x today is more like a L or XL from years ago and I've heard of places qualifying a size 12 as "plus"! I think it's all part of America's screwed up view of what "normal" is.

My sister is also 6' and she goes through the same stuff. I hit it on the plus sized end. The only online retailer I know of for Canada is Land's End. You'll still pay more for clothes, but at least they're quality. You can also order pants and jeans with an inseam measurement.

As for shoes, anything above a size 10 is hard to find in stores. 9.5 can be tough as well, but there is more of a selection now than years ago (I've been a 9.5 for ages.) Most stores tend to only get 1-2 pairs in the 9+ size range. They get more pairs of shoes in the 6-8 size range. Wide widths can be hit and miss depending on the style/manufacturer as well.

Hope this helps.

WR
--who remembers when jeans cost $15/pr...I now pay $40/pr. *sigh*
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Myself on September 21, 2009, 07:46:15 AM
What's sizes 38, 38.5 and 39 translated to that shoe system? I find people and sites giving me anywhere from 6.5 to 12 O_o

depending on the shoe sizes I might fit to those eu sizes I said..  I think..
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Wendy1974 on September 21, 2009, 10:53:27 AM
Quote from: Myself on September 21, 2009, 07:46:15 AM
What's sizes 38, 38.5 and 39 translated to that shoe system? I find people and sites giving me anywhere from 6.5 to 12 O_o

depending on the shoe sizes I might fit to those eu sizes I said..  I think..

Yeah the online calculators for converting european shoe sizes or UK shoe sizes to US shoe sizes never seem to agree. I find them totally useless.
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Kaitlyn on September 21, 2009, 12:33:09 PM
It sucks, doesn't it?  Let me tell you, if you think it's a hassle shopping for shoes as a size 12, you should try as a size 16 extra-wide.

EDIT:  Well, 15.5 to be precise.
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: barbie on September 21, 2009, 01:29:16 PM
My foot size of US women's 10 (264 mm) makes me pay more in my country, but not in the U.S. When I visit the U.S., I purchase sneakers and sandals usually in payless shoes.

During my recent visit to Nashville, TN, I could not find payless or walmart near the hotel, but there was a big shoe store. I just purchased a pair of sneakers at discounted price, about $30. Other sandals and heels there did not look sexy to me.

Yes. It costs something more for transgenders.

Barbie~~
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Steph on September 21, 2009, 04:02:28 PM
If you think you're getting ripped off with clothing check out the between men's and women's hair cuts, or the difference between the dry cleaning cost between men's and women's cloths :(

-={LR}=-
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Icephoenyx on September 21, 2009, 07:54:09 PM
Oh, and not to mention the fact that IF you find larger shoes they are totally non pretty and look like something my 70 year old grandfather would wear...sigh...
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: FallenLeaves on September 21, 2009, 07:56:01 PM
I am a size 10-11 and I usually have pretty good luck in Ross or TJ Maxx. I've found more than a few pair of name brand shoes there for under 10 dollars. They usually only have 20-40 pairs that are 10 or up but often times they are very discounted there. I got a pair of adorable American Eagle heels there in size 11 for $6.00. Can't beat that. Ebay has a pretty good selection of size 11-12 shoes too I noticed. I'll definitely be purchasing my first set of dancer heels off Ebay.
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Ninjette on September 21, 2009, 08:01:37 PM
I'm on the smaller size but i used to have a super tall ex G/F who had trouble finding clothes...but we found out that torrid(hot topic's store that focuses on the larger women) sells some really great and cute clothes and shoes for you larger ladies.
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: K8 on September 21, 2009, 09:00:35 PM
I wear an 11 US, 42 Euro.  The one shoe store in my town stops at 10.  The next town, 50 miles away, has a wonderful selection of 11 in a lot of cute styles.  (Budding shoe fetishist here. ;))  Anything bigger than 11 is very hard to find.

Yesterday I was talking to a male friend.  He wears 12B men's (14 women's) and has to pay a lot more with a lot less selection to get narrow shoes.

Paying more for a women's haircut makes some sense.  The process of cutting it is much more complicated than the rather straight-forward man's cut.

I don't understand the difference for dry cleaning, though.  If they are pressing shirts, etc., it makes some sense because of all the darts and gathers in women's clothes.  (I remember once when I was ironing my shirts I thought I'd be nice and iron my wife's jumper.  It took me longer to do that then a week's worth of men's shirts.)

Speciatlty sizes and styles cost more.  But GG women are getting bigger all the time.  Just wait - size 14s will be widely available before you know it. :D

- Kate
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Suzy on September 21, 2009, 11:25:23 PM
Well I have size 8.5 US but still have trouble.  It seems they are always sold out of everything I want.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Steffi on September 22, 2009, 06:16:56 PM
Quote from: K8The one shoe store in my town stops at 10.  The next town, 50 miles away, has a wonderful selection of 11 in a lot of cute styles.
Am I right in thinking you're in the UK Kate?.... and if so, what and where are these shoe stores please?   :)
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: K8 on September 22, 2009, 08:00:44 PM
Quote from: Steffi on September 22, 2009, 06:16:56 PM
Am I right in thinking you're in the UK Kate?.... and if so, what and where are these shoe stores please?   :)

Sorry, Steffi, I'm in the US.  I know my US size (11B) and Euro size (42, sometimes 43), but I'm not familiar with UK sizes.  The few times I was in the UK I was too busy trying different beers and ales and breads and cheeses [and stouts and bitters] to have time to try on shoes. ;)

- Kate
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Sephirah on September 22, 2009, 08:33:34 PM
I think in my case, the extra expense comes from having to recoup losses incurred in productivity through shoe factory workers s->-bleeped-<-ing at having to cover two canoes in shoe leather. :embarrassed:
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Key on September 23, 2009, 12:00:51 PM
I can commiserate.  6'5" here, mens size 13w-14 in shoes.  I think I've just given up in buying anything designer unless it's from a drag store or something like that.  It's even hard to find men's shoes in my size, let alone trying for women's.
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Syne on September 23, 2009, 12:19:19 PM
You must become one with a certain part of the universe. This part of the universe is labeled as SALES or, alternatively, CLEARANCE. Great bargains can be found if you shop at the right time at the right place.

Avenue stores are a good source for those who may be tall and / or plus sized. I hit one in the midwest that had current clothing styles at great prices. Spent all of $40 on a few tops, a skirt, and hose. Shoes? They usually stink for big sizes but when you can find them in the clearance area, they are dirt cheap: DSW stores. Picked up a nice size 11 name brand sneakers for $20 (down from $60). I have also found dress shoes in Payless for $17 and an awesome set of boots on clearance at the evil retailer known as Wal-mart for $10 (originally $35).

So go out and hunt the elusive prey, it just makes what you do find all that more special.

And if you do not want to do that hit your local fabric store. Most have names of people who do not mind making clothes and, if you buy the pattern and fabric, they usually do it pretty inexpensively.
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Key on September 23, 2009, 04:19:14 PM
Quote from: Syne on September 23, 2009, 12:19:19 PM
You must become one with a certain part of the universe. This part of the universe is labeled as SALES or, alternatively, CLEARANCE. Great bargains can be found if you shop at the right time at the right place.

Avenue stores are a good source for those who may be tall and / or plus sized. I hit one in the midwest that had current clothing styles at great prices. Spent all of $40 on a few tops, a skirt, and hose. Shoes? They usually stink for big sizes but when you can find them in the clearance area, they are dirt cheap: DSW stores. Picked up a nice size 11 name brand sneakers for $20 (down from $60). I have also found dress shoes in Payless for $17 and an awesome set of boots on clearance at the evil retailer known as Wal-mart for $10 (originally $35).

So go out and hunt the elusive prey, it just makes what you do find all that more special.

And if you do not want to do that hit your local fabric store. Most have names of people who do not mind making clothes and, if you buy the pattern and fabric, they usually do it pretty inexpensively.
Oh yes, clothing is never a problem.  I <3 sewing. 
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: lisadear on September 27, 2009, 09:10:42 AM
The shoes are out there. I'm 6'4" and a size Womens. I Love the PAYLESS. They very often have cute shoes, especially sneakers and flats. Also a big fan of Keds which I can get in 13's. And then I'll occaisionaly fit into a 12. I know its hard to find the right shoes, but when you do its so worth it. Also check out Barefoottess.com expesnsive but the shoes are so cute!!
Best of luck,
lisa
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: Icephoenyx on September 27, 2009, 08:35:34 PM
Where can you get Keds in 13?
Title: Re: Tall Girls Get Ripped Off
Post by: lisadear on September 28, 2009, 08:53:21 AM
Keds is size 13. @ Shoemall.com and at Keds.com, I think maybe Zappos. The newer versions have more room in the toes than the older ones. Oh and they are sooo comfortable and cute. I have them in white, black, and navy.