Beloved reader Noy B posted a comment about the 4″ Stewies asking why –and I’m paraphrasing here– in the name of all that is holy (meaning both gin AND tonic) would someone who is already tall want to put on four inch heels and be even taller.
Because my beloved powderpuff, if we have learned nothing from “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Love Julie Newmar” it is that larger than life is just the right size and being tall, not to put too fine a point on it, kicks ass.
This isn’t saying our short sisters don’t practice their own adorable brand of buttkickery, but just like I’ll never know what it’s like to be cute and petite, they will never know what it’s like to walk into a room as a six-foot-three glamazon goddess knowing, wearing four inch heels and working a warrior necklace that would snap a weaker girl’s spine, knowing, just knowing you are serving it hotter and fiercer than any precious little pocket pet ever could. You’re on a different scale than the people around you. You are bigger, better, brighter. You are a superlative. That’s not just confidence, or sex-appeal, or beauty…that’s power. It’s yours, tall girls, so take it.
Yes yes yes! Everything you said!
I love clomping around and being 6’2″ and being Amazonian and fabulous :) Heels rock.
(Also, it means you can look fabulous, go out, and get left alone if you so desire. People respect people who can kick them in the face, apparently ;) )
Comment by Marie — February 5, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
Before I gained a better self image, worth and etc/so forth, I used to hate that I was a ‘in between’ height. At a little over 5’7″, I am no longer “petite” but I’m certainly not tall. I used to hate it, until I learned a secret:
I get to be cute and little OR a glamazon!
Its superfantastic!
If I wear my ballet flats or low low shoes, I can attempt to make myself look even more adorably cute and little with other clothing options (for example, although Overalls sometimes make me look like a giant jellybean, I often get the “how adorable!” response) and accessory choices.
If I put on my 3-5(!) inch heeled shoes (or boots!) and my most glamazonian outfit (and yes, I have a few), I am suddenly closer to being “wow, so tall” and can rock every room like its a runway!
I love that I’m able to go back and forth – and it gives me so many extra fashion choices!!
Comment by De — February 5, 2008 @ 3:56 pm
Speaking as an adorable Pocket Pet (no, really, I AM five-foot-two, eyes of blue), I love to have the contrast of having an awesome glamazon at my side. Whatever we may be, average we ain’t, and I love that!
Also, with my klutzy way of wandering about with my head in the (extremely low-lying) clouds, I go in flats, thus making the contrast all the more awesome when my amazonian friends rock the high heels.
Oddly enough, though, very few people peg me for a short stuff when we meet. I once dated a guy for almost two months before he suddenly realized how short I was. That’s because I’m Concentrated.
Comment by Twistie — February 5, 2008 @ 4:10 pm
Twistie – as a fellow “pocket pet” (5’2″ eyes of blazing Celtic Green), I’m all over the concentrated. I also tend toward no-so-tall shoes because I’ve rolled over my right ankle a couple too many times and it’s just a tad unstable. On the other hands, I’ve often wanted to carry my own apple box so that should the need arise, I have something to stand on when I need to be in photographs so that I don’t look like a troll next to much taller brethren(and sister-en).
Comment by Toby Wollin — February 5, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Yes!! I’m 6’1″ barefooted, but I frickin love putting on my high heels and strutting all over town. The looks I get are priceless.
Comment by Sarah — February 5, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
My best friend in high school was 6’1″, and I had a fairly long relationship at one time with a man who was 6’5″ — though I teetered about in four- and even five-inch heels during that period, which just shows how young and silly I was. (Not his fault: He didn’t care whether I wore heels, flats, or even shoes. Rather a nice guy, actually.)
But I’ve always been a bit drawn to the tall, being somewhat deprived in that department myself — though I’ve got Twistie and Toby Wollin beat by nearly an inch! — and, from my perspective down here, I can see no disadvantage to a bit of height. I’d make a better Amazon than elf!
Comment by Bridey — February 5, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
Toby Wollin, I feel ya. I am also 5’2″ and green-eyed, and while I love being tiny, I do not like being photographed next to (or, worse) in between much taller people, because I en`d
Comment by Cat — February 6, 2008 @ 1:02 am
With apologies for the last post (cat stepped on keyboard and posted for me before I was done typing):
Toby Wollin, I feel ya. I am also 5′2″ and green-eyed, and while I love being tiny, I do not like being photographed next to (or, worse) in between much taller people, because I end up looking like a lawn gnome in the photos. This happened to me at a wedding this past New Year’s Eve. I was photographed standing between two taller girls, and I look ridiculous in the photos.
Comment by Cat — February 6, 2008 @ 1:05 am
Rock it, you glamazon girls! While I am a happy 5’2″, I am married to a 6’3″ man and have many, many times wished to see eye to eye with him (if nothing else than solely for the erm, romantic, possibilities). Enjoy your awesome height and superfantastic long legs. I will call you when I have to reach something in the top cupboard.
Comment by Eilish — February 6, 2008 @ 2:24 am
I’m a 5’3″ blonde, blue-eyed type, but as a dancer, I know how to make my height work for all it’s worth. Put me in 4″ heels, and I can work it with the tall gals. Most people think I’m taller than I am, because of how I carry myself.
Comment by Sarah — February 6, 2008 @ 11:52 am
I adore wearing 3-4″ platforms. I was bitterly disappointed that I stopped growing at 5’8.5″, so these help me live the dream. DH is 5’6.5″ but loves it when I wear heels.
I also can look over everyone’s cubicle walls at work with no problem. ;)
Comment by Dowdydiva — February 6, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
Tall girls who are confident in their height are hot.
Scratch that, any girl who’s really confident in herself is hot.
That said, I’m another Pocket Pet at five-two with blue-green eyes and it’s a little frustrating with family members who are all five-ten or taller (including my six-foot-tall seventeen year old sister). Sigh.
Comment by Kitty — February 6, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
5’7 and I’m too self conscious to wear more than a 2 inch heel. I hate that. I feel like I need to be 5’3 to rock a 3 or 4 inch heel.
Comment by Angel — February 6, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
I’m 5’7, but half of my friends are 5’10. I feel average in height most of the time. I like what De said about pushing it either way. I certainly don’t shy away from tall shoes, unless they’re that phenomenally uncomfortable. I’ve got a couple pairs of Michael Kors that are about 6′ with the platform. I feel fabulous and leggy with them on. Men haven’t cared yet, even if I’m taller in my shoes.
Comment by Sara — February 6, 2008 @ 6:19 pm
I’m 5’7″ and I rock it in the biggest, most fab heels I can. I’m a big girl, so no point in trying to be a shrinking violet – and people who’ve met me always remember me! While I’m not really “tall tall”, I found the following scenario quite funny: At the Nordstrom Rack “Big Shoe Size Event Sale” in which kick-ay women tower over me, and one has to fight one’s way through the size 11 shoes to snag the good ones, these two 6-foot ladies were whimpering about these totally fierce shoes and how they made them “too tall.” Which made me and the four ladies that were all around 5’2 start fussing about fierce they were. Maybe because I’m not “tall tall”, I don’t get it. You’re already tall – so rock it, girl, rock it! (Seriously, if you’re 6 feet, wearing flats just ain’t gonna make you any shorter..)
Comment by Alyssa — February 6, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
Another 5’7 here, and I love being able to “go both ways”. Give me the kickass heels and I’m unstoppable. But I also love it when my 5’10 husband hugs me when I’m in my bare feet, and I feel like a dainty little thing (even though I outweigh him by 20 lbs! LOL!)
Comment by La Petite Acadienne — February 6, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
Amen, Plumcake! I need to practice in my heels so I can properly rock them, I think. I’m 5’10” and broad-shouldered so I can part a crowd in tall enough heels but I tend to flats and shyness both. I think I need to work on that.
Comment by Anne (in Reno) — February 6, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
This is so well-timed! I’m already 5’11”, taller than all but one of my female friends and than around half of the dudes, yet last night I cranked the 4″ heels and felt fantastic. I figure, I’m already tall. No point pretending.
There is a picture of me in those shoes next to my 4’11” friend and it is hilarious.
Comment by tiramisu — February 7, 2008 @ 2:59 am
Being just barely 5’8″ and short-waisted, I’m just not built for high heels. Adding more than 2″ or so to my lower half throws me way out of balance – both in the sense of looking disproportionate and the likelihood of spraining an ankle just walking down the street. I’m as structurally sound as a potato atop two chopsticks.
If there were some clothing item that would make me six feet tall by magically stretching my spine instead, I’d be first in line to buy it.
Comment by B.S.A.G. — February 7, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Seriously, I love you guys!
I am 6’/6’1” and I love wearing heels.
Yet so many people have tried to guilt trip me about it, as if I should somehow be ashamed of being tall…
Comment by Jenny — February 7, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
Wow, what a time to come back to this blog!
I’m 5’10”, & it took me a LONG time learn to enjoy being tall. I got sick of guys complaining about my height like I could DO something about it; I dumped my grad date (prom for Americans) before the dance over this. I’m in flats, you dork, what else can I do?! This is clearly YOUR issue, Mr. Napoleon-Complex!
While I still don’t like wearing high heels (look great, can’t take the discomfort), I love how my 6’5″ man & I look cleaving through a room at a party. Everyone we want to see knows we’re there & can find us!
I’ve been trying to live the Manolo Big Girls mantra “If you’re going to be the biggest girl in the room, be the Biggest Girl in the room!”. I’ll get there!
And I’ll be ready to show my 11 yr. old & already 5′ step-daughter how it’s done!
Comment by QuiteLight — February 8, 2008 @ 11:04 am
B.S.A.G., I’m built very similarly, and I wear a chunkier heel. People stare at the chopsticks, so I don’t mind.
Comment by Dowdydiva — February 8, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
I’m six foot without my shoes and I do love to wear heels. However, I will say that I didn’t feel comfortable in this frame until I was at least twenty. I’ve finally realized that I will never wander into a room and make people wonder “who IS that tiny, short girl?” so I might as well work what I’ve got!
Comment by dena — February 8, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
Well I’m 5″10 and big too (size 18) As a result, I have rarely confident when wearing heels expiecially anything over an inch or so. People have told me how lucky I am to be so “curvy” and tall at the same time but I just feel like an oddball most of the time. Although, Guys do show me some attention,but I’ve always figured I’d be more attractive if I was slender and tall or at least short so I looked more normal. I guess it just seems that is what guys want someone who they can tower over. Personally, I can’t blame them, since I tend to go for tall guys anyways. Anyways, the point is, how do guys feel about this- thoughts , comments anyone?
Comment by Kirsten — February 23, 2008 @ 1:23 am
wow that comment was really garbled-sorry!
Comment by Kirsten — February 23, 2008 @ 1:25 am
Wow i totally understand what it’s like feeling like a minority, standing at 5’11, and not sure if im done growing yet. However, it is incredibly flattering when people you barely know tell you to be a model. I hardly ever realize my height difference though, unless someone points it out or i actually take time to look around. Also, I barely ever used to wear heels, but now I feel like, yeah I’m tall, why not be taller! I wouldn’t ever trade my height to be 5’2, I’d feel like I would be stepped on!
Comment by Lisa — July 27, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
Wow I Am a 6’3 girl, a senior in highschool, and I am totally freaking out about finding a date to prom! The only guys at my school who are taller than me are younger and have girlfriends! I feel like crying because my whole entire life I have been dreaming about going to prom with a guy who is taller than me, but I feel like that dream is going to stay a dream what should I do? I really want a boyfriend but the height thing for me is a big issue!
Comment by Jolly Green — October 11, 2008 @ 1:49 am
Ms. jolly,
Please do not start your self out like this…. It’s OKKKK…..
Slip a very short note in boys lockers asking to reply to your locker with a note… no names, just look for boys who need to come out the their shell so to speak. they will find an opt. and may just burst out of their seams!
i am 50 lived a long life with many single guys. Being 5 10 They do not mind if you Do Not Freak Out… Act like you are All That! and be a huntress… Make sure you have ideas to talk about, guys like us to lead…
Be on the sexy side with skin showing and prety eyes or lip makeup…
Comment by krzz — March 13, 2009 @ 12:04 am
5’2″ tiny?? 5’7″ is “not tall”?? Is this a Swedish website?? Because in America, 5’2″ is actually quite average, and 5’7″ is extremely tall. I am 5’4″ (rigid-backed) and tower over at least 80% of all females. Sorry, but 5’2″ as short is hilarious.
Comment by anon — March 31, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
since the average height for American woman, according to the CDC’s Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults 2003-2006 is 5’3.8″ I’m not sure that fifth of an inch you’ve got on half the female population really counts as towering over 80%. Perhaps you’re related to a guy I once dated. His units of measurement were off, too.
Comment by Plumcake — April 1, 2009 @ 12:20 am
Oh, and for the record, if you’d like to make cultural stereotypes, you should go for the residents of the Dinaric Alps. They have the tallest women at just over 5’7″
Comment by Plumcake — April 1, 2009 @ 12:22 am
Hey there.. I have a similar website… How do you control the spam? I get a ton like every day, and it takes so much time to delete it all..
Comment by allan Rigdon — April 12, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
The article is usefull for me. I’ll be coming back to your blog.
Comment by JaneRadriges — June 13, 2009 @ 12:11 pm