At Taylor Tall, we know women are tall in different ways. By focusing on women who are 5'9" and over, we have created a fit system that works for people with longer proportions.
Our go to around this time of year is anything linen. All of our natural fibers are great for the transitional seasons as they are breathable yet insulating at the same time, but there's something about linen specifically that just feels so right this time of year.
Our Premium Linen Wide Leg Pants are the ultimate seasonless staple. Depending on how you style them, you can wear them from March-November in cooler climates and year round in warmer ones. Pair with a light sweater and booties on a breezy day, or a tank and sandals on a hot day.
Wow! Who can believe it's already mid February? 👋 We’ve taken a much needed break from the blog & social media this past month as Taylor and Nathaniel have been traveling to visit with their friends and our partners in India.
But now we're back and looking up for so many reasons. We're especially excited to share new releases in the next few weeks! In the meantime, Taylor is giving a quick tutorial on how to remove pills from your favorite sweater.
You only need one thing—a sharp razor blade. Try to get one that has a guard on the top edge so it's safer to grip. You can find a 10 pack for $4.50 at Ace Hardware or online here.
You can even use the razor from your safety razor if you have one, as long as the blade is pretty fresh. Taylor and Nathaniel recently came across the company Henson Shaving and have enjoyed supporting them with their plastic free design & recyclable blades.
Start by laying the garment on a flat surface. Then while holding the fabric taught, gently "shave" the pills off of the fabric by holding the razor blade almost parallel to the fabric and pulling towards you.
Taylor demonstrates the technique in the video below:
Make sure to start slowly until you get the hang of it to avoid putting any holes in your sweater with the razor. This method can be used on pretty much any material that pills, but always test a small area first to avoid damaging the fabric.
If you're worried about making this technique work, you can purchase "pill shavers" online. We recommend this one since it is re-chargeable—no batteries needed!
Once you start to de-pill things, you'll want to do it to everything you own! I've even used this technique on my couch and it made it like new. Here's to making our things last longer and reducing waste :)
]]>
To help you get started, we’re highlighting a couple of our favorite fair trade brands that you can shop both online and in-person at the Chicago Fair Trade Holiday Pop-Up Shop. The pop-up is located at 5228 N. Clark St. in the Andersonville neighborhood and is open through December 24th.
It features over two dozen fair trade businesses, all local to Chicago and over 90% women owned. The products range from hand poured candles and alpaca wool socks to artisan made jewelry and sustainable clothing, all at various price ranges. For more info on the pop-up, watch the short segment on Fox32 here.
Taylor Tall has a booth at the pop-up, and Taylor will be there in person this Friday, November 26th, from 2:45 PM to 7:15 PM. Skip the craziness of black Friday and come shop our ready made items while getting a free styling session with Taylor. You can get the rest of your gift buying done with the other amazing businesses in the shop!
Here are some of our favorite brands that are also featured at the pop-up:
Amber & Tonka Bean Candle, Mini $13 and 3-Wick $30
Chechi Rectangle Pattern Shibori Cotton Napkins, $60 for set of 4
Triangle Storage Baskets, $48 for set of 3
Magdalena Earrings, On Sale for $27.20!
There are plenty of other amazing brands at the pop-up shop, and if you can’t make it in person, you can find the full list online here.
In the spirit of giving, we are running a Thanksgiving Flash Sale at Taylor Tall, valid now through Tuesday, November 30th. Take 15% OFF of made to order pieces with code SHOPDIFFERENT15, and 10% of proceeds will be donated to Reclaim Collaborative—a community dedicated to building a better, more just fashion + lifestyle ecosystem.
]]>But first, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the REAL women that inspire us everyday, and represent Taylor Tall so well.
Elise Malary, 5'10"
@eeemalzzz
Chicago, IL
Elise is a digital creator, Haitian advocate, writer, organizer, and fundraiser. She is active within her community to bring equity to systems built on racism and sexism. Elise embodies Taylor Tall because she is proud of her height, her body, and her heritage. She is unabashedly herself and encourages those around her to find their voice.
Elise wears the Handwoven Stepped Hem Tank in Dots & Stripes, with a 24" front length. She styled it as an easy off-duty look with jeans and statement boots. Her favorite part of the tank?
"As soon as I tried this tank on, it felt proportional on me. Far too often I try on tanks, blouses, and tee shirts and the length would stop at my belly button. It feels really nice to have a piece of clothing that fits my body. The material feels good on my skin, and the buttons on the back are a cute touch!"
Bethany Moreshead, 6'2"
@tallfashionadventures
Coburg, Germany
Beth is a mom and tall fashion blogger living in Germany and sharing all of her tall fashion finds with her followers. She creates guides on her blog for everything from tall kidswear to tall ethical brands, and new tall brands just emerging on the scene. Beth embodies Taylor Tall because she is a great advocate for the tall community and focuses her style choices on ethical but attainable fashion that can take you from traveling to toddler time.
Beth wears the Organic Cotton High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans in a 34" inseam. She styled it both with a puff sleeve sweater & animal print belt for a night out with her husband and with a striped long sleeve & scarf for an on-the-go daytime look. Both outfits were paired with her favorite Otto + Ivy boots, another tall inclusive brand. Beth's thoughts on the jeans are,
"Even though they’re vastly different than the jeans I’ve been wearing for years, they fit and feel great and it’s exciting to try something new. I’ve been playing dress up a lot with these jeans and they are quite versatile! The flattering high rise style on these is exactly what my body type needs. This denim is SO soft and took zero breaking in. Huzzah!"
Read her full review on her blog, Tall Fashion Adventures.
Ashley Silvera, 6'2"
@legz4dayz__
Chicago, IL & Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Ashley is a model, actress, stylist, and radio personality who splits her time between Chicago and Florida. She is super fun and down to earth, and we loved getting to know her on our latest photo shoot. Ashley loves to be social which makes her perfectly suited for her fast paced lifestyle. Ashley embodies Taylor Tall because not only does she rock her height with confidence, she's always willing to lend her talents to friends, family, and her community.
Ashley wears the Organic Cotton High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans in a 34" inseam, and styled them two different ways. Look one is more day-to-day, featuring a basic black long sleeve, comfy sneakers, and our Handwoven Scarf in White & Black Twisted Stripe. Look two can go from the office out to drinks, and features our Handwoven Stepped Hem Tank in Teal Stripes, styled over a grey turtleneck and paired with heeled mules. The one thing Ashley couldn't stop saying about the jeans?
"These jeans are SO comfortable and really feel like they fit my body! The fabric is super soft and the proportions are spot on. Plus they're so easy to style with any look."
Looking for more styling inspiration? Head to our instagram to see Taylor Tall on all different bodies & heights, and styled for many occasions.
We also want to announce our newest website feature! If you're unsure of what size you should order, need help with measurements, or want to chat through your options, schedule a 15 minute virtual fit session with our team!
]]>Chicago Fair Trade reached out to me at the beginning of summer to see if I would be interested in leading a six week pre-apprenticeship course on Building Your Brand | Ethical Entrepreneurship. I was so thrilled because entrepreneurship incubators and mentorships have been integral to my confidence and perseverance as an entrepreneur.
Recently, I've been looking for opportunities to connect with communities of youth, especially those already in the mindset of wanting to build businesses that incorporate positive impact. While it has been fun and rewarding to share my knowledge with the young adults, I have been blown away by their business ideas.
and many more that incorporate methods of addressing social and environmental needs in their business models.
A screenshot of one of my student office hour meet ups.
I also feel very grateful that this program has given me the chance to connect with other local businesses as guest speakers. Many thanks to those listed below:
Now that my program has wrapped up, I’ll be spending the rest of my summer getting as much time at the lakefront as I can and getting inspired for new collections. If you’re interested in getting involved with After School Matters, check out their website here or send me a message with any questions at hello@taylortall.com!
]]>First up, and a looong time in the making, High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans made of 100% Cotton Denim. Inspired by 70s silhouettes and adventurous summer spirit, these jeans are the ultimate wardrobe hero.
The best part? Not only are they designed for tall proportions (hello high rise & knees in the right spot for once) but the inseam is 100% customizable to fit your perfect length.
Our second round of summer styles are an update to one of our best sellers & tried and true favorites, the Button Back Tank Top. We've relaxed and slightly dropped the neckline, as well as created a stepped high-low hem with subtle side slit. For these styles, we were truly inspired by the fabrics.
We're also introducing two new prints made of 100% cotton, handspun and handwoven just for us by the amazing artisans of WomenWeave and Karghewale. Both fabrics feature a contrasting selvedge, which will be used as the placket detail on the button back.
The third round of new styles feature one of the most classic and timeless summer fabrics— natural linen.
Inspired by slow mornings, breezy days on the lakefront, sunset picnics, and the promise of travel again in the near future.
We'll be releasing a High Waisted Wide Leg Linen Pant & High Waisted Linen Short. Both styles will feature an elastic waistband, inset side seam pockets, and customizable inseam length.
Our Founder & Creative Director Taylor McCleneghan recently sat down with Liz Williams, the Founder & Creative Director of Coat Check Chicago— ethically made and classically inspired statement coats. The two female entrepreneurs shared thoughts on everything from what led them to start their companies, to the importance of craftsmanship, slow fashion, & size inclusivity. Throughout this post we’ll share their insights and help you get to know Taylor & Liz a little bit better. Keep an eye out for new styles releasing soon from both brands!
LW: I've always been interested in clothing as a form of expression. However, my skills as a pattern maker and seamstress were forged while creating costumes for the theatre here in the City of Chicago. I later went back to school to study Fashion Design at Parson's School of Design. I had a great internship that led to full time position at Martin and Osa where I worked as an assistant designer in their Women's Wovens Department.
In 2014, I launched Coat Check Chicago after becoming frustrated while shopping for a new coat for myself. My sister had given me a lovely coat from “See by Chloe” (10 years prior) that I had worn thin. When I went to find something similar, I was really disappointed with the quality of coats that I was seeing. So, I decided to put my skills to use and make one for myself!
TM: I grew up with a seamstress and costume designer for a mom, so I started experimenting with fabrics and clothing early in life. Fast forward, and I was able to develop that passion for crafting clothing while working for another Chicago based brand called Mata Traders. Throughout that experience, I fell in love with small business and working in the handmade sector in India.
I started Taylor Tall in 2019 with my husband, Nathaniel, in an effort to change the fashion experience for tall women. As a tall woman myself (5’11”), I had trouble finding clothing that fit my height, and was also sustainable and consciously crafted.
LW: My goal with Coat Check is to bring about a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship while supporting local makers.
TM: Similarly to Coat Check, we really value craft. Our mission is to thoughtfully design modern basics for tall women that you can customize for a true fit.
LW: Taylor and I met in a women’s entrepreneurship program! It’s an international group, but we quickly discovered that we were both from Chicago and know many of the same people that are involved in the local fashion industry scene.
TM: We both swear by this ecommerce entrepreneurship group. It’s such a supportive community - which you definitely need in starting and running a business.
LW: Fair pay for garment workers is a subject that I feel strongly about. I spent most of my twenties behind a sewing machine working as a seamstress for local theatre companies. Frankly, I found the work to be challenging and I came to admire the skill and training that goes into creating a garment. When I look at a garment with a low price point, it usually saddens me since I know someone is getting short changed.
Taylor with Rosie, the Production Manager of Creative Handicrafts.
TM: The love of craft - which means the technical tailoring for a great fit, the holistic appreciation for the makers who contribute to our collections, and the longevity and sustainability of well constructed garments. We of course immediately connected on the woes of the plethora of technology skills required to run a fashion brand these days! Oh yeah, and of course, Chicago!
LW: To me, “slow fashion” is about slowing down holistically. Slow fashion is about designers taking a closer look at their supply chain and asking more questions about the labor and materials they use. But slow fashion is also a move to ask our customers to slow down too. I like to encourage my customers to think about how many wears they may get out of their clothing before purchasing.
Under the fast fashion system customers were ultimately losing out by purchasing poorly made garments repeatedly, season after season. Quality craftsmanship and timeless designs work well within the slow fashion system. While following trends can be fun, it’s important to identify the trends that are on the verge of being a fad, so that we don’t waste our money and time on them.
Coat Check Chicago garment tags.
TM: Similarly to Liz, slow fashion to me, means releasing fewer, more thought out designs; slowing down the pace of development of new techniques and materials. This often really reduces the strain on everyone involved in the supply chain. It’s turning sharply away from the “it needed to be done yesterday!” mentality. While fashion lines will always struggle to be market responsive and nimble, the way in which they actually do and don’t do that really matters when it comes to social and environmental impact.
LW: I look a lot to vintage fashion history when determining my silhouettes. I think if a garment can stand the test of time, that’s a great first indicator that there is something to it. However, no one wants to dress in a way that is “dated” or “old fashion” so I try to always give my coats a modern edge, whether it’s in the functionality such as using magnets, or a water resistant material, or by changing the shape in order to keep it in line with today’s proportions.
TM: Fabrics fabrics fabrics, I fall in love with fabrics. I’ve had the lucky opportunity to travel to natural fiber fabric makers throughout India who specialize in handwoven and other premium fabrics. I love seeing the minute details whether it’s a subtle two tone yarn color or a textured pattern elegantly woven into the fabric. Once I see the fabrics, I’m flooded with ideas.
LW: Since I am a seamstress by trade, I really enjoy creating my own patterns and sewing my samples. I usually start with a rough sketch of an idea, but find that it changes along the way. I fit everything on myself which is kind of crazy, but I feel as though I can give myself immediate feedback on how I like something and change it quickly.
Liz in her studio working on a pattern.
TM: At any given time, I have a set of fabric swatches I’m in love with and a list of silhouettes I think our customers (and I selfishly) would like, or that I have created based upon customer feedback. The perfect fit happens when I find the best match for fabric and silhouette.
LW: WOOL! It takes shape so well and really holds up to time, and is also a natural fiber that provides plenty of warmth. I know many people complain of the itchiness of wool, which I am also very sensitive to, so I try to use only the softest wool I can find.
Taylor Tall's Summer fabric lineup.
TM: Au naturale! Cotton, silk, linen. Now that I’ve mostly cut synthetics out of my wardrobe, I really feel the difference on my skin. I’m now pretty sensitive to synthetics and can only wear them as a small percentage in a blend. Natural fiber fabrics are also the most frequently used for the weaving and printing techniques of India that I love to admire, wear, and support.
LW: BOTH are so important! Especially in outerwear! It’s so pointless to have a coat that does not function to either keep you warm or dry. But conversely, I cannot tell you how disappointing it is to see a beautiful dress covered up with a sporty parka. It drives me crazy. Outerwear is our first moment of visual communication with the world at large. I take that pretty seriously, and hope that the women that wear my coats feel amazing in them.
Liz in her studio adjusting a sample garment.
TM: Through years of experience seeing designs get manufactured and sold to large audiences, and then studying the return rates….both form and function matter so much! I do find that people buy for style a little more than function (which makes me a bit sad). But that’s what inspires me to try and marry both - especially for tall women. We’ve had a lifetime of trying to fit and squeeze into ill fitting clothing. I work very hard to design clothing that not only feels RIGHT for our proportions but also looks great.
LW: Size inclusivity is so important. As a 5’10” individual myself, I’ve struggled my whole life to find pants and sleeves that don’t cut me off. As a result, I cut my coats with very long sleeves in a selfish endeavor. But lately, I’m also hearing from women who love my coats, but are petites and plus size. Last year I launched a few styles in plus sizes and my customers were so thankful. This year, I’m expanding into petites. The fact of the matter is that people really come in all shapes and sizes and they all want to feel great. There should be something out there for everyone.
Taylor Tall's Free Fit Kit, which includes a measurement card, measuring tape, and swatch booklet.
TM: When I started a clothing line, I really wanted to try to solve a problem for my customers. The problem closest to home was not finding sustainable and consciously crafted clothing that also fit my height. So while the basis of my brand is already to cater to the specific “tall” size niche, I also wanted to make sure I could include more sizes than just an XS-L, typical of smaller brands. Our made to order production model allows us to offer our styles in sizes 4-18, as well as offering length customization for sleeves, hemlines, and inseams. I also make sure to further adjust the bust cup size and placement for sizes 14-18, unlike other brands who just make the whole garment wider rather than taking proportion into account (aka not flattering).
LW: I'm actually having a hard time deciding between 2! I LOVE the classic silhouette of the Drop Shoulder Shirt! It's such a classic piece and the lines are so flattering on a tall figure.
TM: The Southport Overcoat in Grey - I love a classic wool coat and the amazing collar of this style looks perfect to pop up around my neck and scarf for a blustery Chicago day. I can also see wearing it open over a classic black shift dress and sneakers during transitional months.
LW: It’s so dorky, but I usually listen to business podcasts. Since I went to school for fashion and costume design I’ve really had to teach myself everything there is about running a small business. Thankfully I can learn while I sew.
TM: Sitar, viola da gamba, lute, or clarinet music. Lady Gaga, Chromatica, Led Zeppelin, Ray Lamontagne, Aretha Franklin, the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Stevie Wonder. Podcasts and NPR on a walk break.
LW: I really love the beach and warm weather. So any spot that has both will serve me just fine. I know that may sound silly coming from an outerwear designer, but I really hate bad weather. Coats are my coping mechanism for living in Chicago.
TM: Pool, beach, warm weather, a good book, a long walk, and a great meal out.
LW: Multi-tasking! As a mother of 3, I went from having a quiet business within my house to sharing that office with my entire family. Most days it’s hard to carve out an hour of uninterrupted time so I’ve gotten better (not great) at being able to do 2 things at once.
TM: Cooking - though I don’t exactly love it yet...
Tara Projects emergency food collection & distribution, and their health care center expanding care during Coronavirus Crisis in New Delhi.
Taylor Tall would not be what it is without the incredible Indian makers who contribute to our collection. Many of these artisans have dedicated their whole lives to studying and perfecting their crafts. India has a long and storied history in the textile and craft world. For example, Indian block printed cotton fabrics have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and early Indian handicrafts date back over 5000 years to the Indus Valley civilization.
Kutch embroidery – Gujarat’s textile handicraft.
Handicrafts are anything made & processed by hand, using hand tools. Craftspeople traditionally use these items to tell stories, preserve history & culture, celebrate religion & holidays, show off style, and for self expression. All over the world, artisans spend years, if not their whole life, learning and adapting their skills to master their craft. Styles and motifs evolve over the years, some remaining traditional while others are becoming modernized, influenced by current and global trends. The one thing that has stayed consistent is the skill and dedication these makers have and continue to pour into their work (by hand!).
Master Pattern Maker at Creative Handicrafts.
I am constantly inspired by the uniqueness of the Indian Textile Industry and the design going on within it. Oftentimes, the fabric inspires the garment, rather than vice versa, which is something I tend to do throughout my design process as well. When you look at Saris and other traditional Indian dress, you will see that the silhouette of the garment is specifically designed to show off the beauty and intricacy of the textile it is composed of, whether it be a handwoven design, embroidered accent, or intricate beading. Indian design tends to be the perfect marriage of form & function— comfort, durability, and ease of movement is a priority, but design and style are never compromised to achieve these things.
India is an amazing place to produce for all of the reasons mentioned above, but it is also a great place for emerging designers to kick-start their production. The handicrafts industry is perfectly suited to small and medium size production orders, and can be more sustainable than large scale production.
A handmade fabric from our upcoming Spring / Summer 2021 Collection.
As an entrepreneur in the fashion industry, I wanted to try and reduce two things:
The first few years of a fashion business can be ripe for over-purchasing based on incorrect assumptions or brands stretching to meet fabric minimums. This can lead to crucial finances being tied up in inventory that isn’t best fit for your customers, or an entire collection all made out of the same fabric. While designing in India still requires meeting minimums for fabric and other materials, working in handmade processes allows for a lower entry point.
THE MAKERS BEHIND TAYLOR TALL
We want to highlight the makers behind Taylor Tall and the incredible work that they do. Our brand makes up just a small part of their overall production, which means there’s plenty of room for our business to grow into their capabilities. We’re so thankful for how much they’ve fostered our business in the first few years. WomenWeave and subsequently Karghewale are our main textile makers/suppliers, while Creative Handicrafts patterns, cuts, and sews our garments.
A WomenWeave artisan at work.
Women Weave & Karghewale
WomenWeave is a global nonprofit organization and fair trade weaving cooperative that assists handloom weavers in India to bring their fabrics to a wider market. The fabrics they offer are not only beautiful and comfortable, they help preserve the craft of handloom weaving that has been around for centuries.
Karghewale works with 150 young weaver entrepreneurs, most of whom are graduates of WomenWeave’s The Handloom School, across thirteen states in India. Their mission is to support the creators of their textiles, a talented community of young and aspiring weaving professionals , so that they can build robust businesses. They believe that weavers are equal partners in the business, not mere wage workers who will weave the said design and be paid per meter. This gives them the leverage to circumvent the age-old impediments of commission agents in the value chain, and reach out to national and international markets directly.
One of the weavers of Karghewale spinning yarn for one of our Spring fabrics.
Creative Handicrafts
Creative Handicrafts is a social enterprise based in Mumbai, India with the mission to empower disadvantaged women. They provide fair trade manufacturing for apparel, soft goods, and handicrafts for a range of clients, from startups to established apparel brands. They are certified as both a Fair Trade Guaranteed organization and a GOTS compliant organic apparel manufacturer.
Coo-operative members, learn professional skills in a variety of areas in garment manufacturing as well as food production for their local subscription delivery service, all in addition to joining the supportive community. The social work branch of Creative Handicrafts provides holistic services and education opportunities to support the health and well-being of its members, their families, and the surrounding community.
Taylor and Rosie, the Production Manager at Creative Handicrafts.
As a small collection, we have only been able to share a small percentage of what these makers are capable of. I look forward to sharing our Spring / Summer 2021 Collection very soon, featuring some brand new, beautiful, handmade fabrics, as well as 100% organic cotton DENIM!! We are so excited for you all to see the new pieces and get them in your hands, and we appreciate your patience!
In the meantime, we’d really appreciate your help in supporting our makers as well as all of the Indian people throughout this crisis. While sales and purchases of artisan goods will always create sustainability for the craft sector, this is a humanitarian crisis that needs financial aid during this extreme hardship. We need to step up and support those holding up their communities. I started a GoFundMe campaign one year ago and the situation is worse than when it began. All contributions will be donated across the craft organizations listed below - all of whom are close to home. If you’re able, we are asking for your help in spreading the word and for a donation.
To learn more about how the COVID-19 crisis in India is directly affecting textile artisans, check out this article from the New York Times.
The artisans of Sadhna, through their parent organization Seva Mandir
I have spent a lot of time working alongside this organization and learning about their work in Rajasthan India. Member artisans specialize in tailoring, hand block printing, indigo-dyeing, hand embroidery and applique.
Creative Handicrafts, whom we have worked with and visited for many years.
Mahaguthi Craft with a Conscience
A not for profit, WFTO Guaranteed Fair Trade Organization which produces, markets and exports Nepal’s crafts. Their organization represents the efforts of more than one thousand individual producers, fifty percent of whom are from remote and mountainous areas. I have been working with Mahaguthi for 9 years.
A craft and jewelry organization with extensive social work outreach in the local community. They are increasing efforts at their existing health center to serve those who need non-Covid related care and are turned away from hospitals. They are also expanding to turn other facilities of theirs into health care facilities. I have been working with them since 2012.
An organic, sustainable, and non-violent silk artisanal weaving unit is constructing a temporary hospital to care for their rural area.
If you’re not able to donate, please consider sharing with friends and family that might be able to help, and spreading awareness throughout your communities.
Learn more and tell your Congress member to aid in global vaccine distribution here.
Learn about Right Health Action working against “vaccine apartheid”.
-Taylor McCleneghan
Founder & Creative Director of Taylor Tall
**PS for any fellow designers looking to work with handcraft techniques, feel free to reach out to me anytime taylor@taylortall.com. Taylor continually looks to partner with others who would like to design products using artisanal processes.
]]>The collection will include 4 new fabrics:
As well as some of our current lightweight favorites!
We have some fun new silhouettes (hello wide leg jeans) and will also be bringing back some tried & true best sellers to round out the lineup. We spent months perfecting our new styles to make sure the fabrics, fit, and feel were juuust right.
While we wait in anticipation for the launch of the SS21 collection (soon, we promise!) we have re-stocked our Sample Sale section with many of our best selling styles, as well as a handful of one-of-a-kind pieces.
Get up to 50% OFF on tall wardrobe staples that are ethically made at a fair trade cooperative from 100% natural fibers.
In an effort to clean out our fabric inventory without it going to waste in a landfill, we've re-cut a handful of current favorites & updated a few classic styles with new fabrics.
There are 3 main areas that contribute to price that we are going to discuss throughout this post: materials, construction, and production. Materials refers to the fabrics we use, construction refers to how the garments are made, and production is everything else that goes into bringing a garment from idea to final product.
At Taylor Tall, we choose to only work with natural, handmade, and small batch fibers. Some of the many reasons for this choice are as follows:
Many of our fibers/fabrics are produced by WomenWeave, a fair trade women’s weaving cooperative in India. They are a global nonprofit organization that assists handloom weavers to bring their fabrics to a wider market. The fabrics they offer are not only beautiful and comfortable, but they help preserve the craft of handloom weaving that dates back centuries.
All of our garments (outside of the Sample Sale section) are made to order. First, this allows us to cater to a range of tall women, which we would normally never be able to do as a small brand. Women 5’9” and over really do struggle to fit into “off the rack” clothing, but someone 5’9” is clearly going to have very different needs than someone who is 6’5”, and we want to provide clothing solutions for ALL tall women. This also allows us to carry sizes 4-18, which we would never be able to stock if we produced everything ahead of time, since a small brand can’t afford to purchase or hold that much inventory and it is very hard to predict which sizes your customers will trend towards. However, since most production facilities require a high number of pieces to be made at once in order for them to take advantage of the efficiencies of scale, it is undoubtedly more costly to produce garments one at a time.
Second, only offering made to order garments is a very sustainable way of making clothing. It eliminates deadstock (clothing inventory that doesn’t sell and is left over), and also ensures a perfect fit. In the fashion industry, a 75-80% sell through rate of a style is known to be a GOOD result. What happens to the other 20-25%? It sits in a warehouse, is given away, incinerated, passed on to discount outlets, or thrown away in a landfill. Generally when you’re having fit issues with garments from a ready to wear brand, you return the item and/or move on from that garment quickly, both of which contribute to the massive amount of textile waste each year. We are proud to say that since launching in 2019, we have not had a single return.
Finally, we add extra seam allowance in the center back of our pants as well as all hem lines for ease of alterations. This is more expensive for us as it uses more fabric, but it makes alterations simpler and more cost effective for the customer, as well as encourages a longer lifespan for the garment. As an added incentive, we also offer a tailoring/mending credit in the form of a $15 gift card when you send us your alterations receipt.
At Taylor Tall, our goal is to make beautiful and comfortable clothing that fits well and stands the test of time. In 2018, the average American shopper purchased 68 garments per year and only wore each garment 7 times on average before tossing it. (Wall Street Journal 8/9/19) When it comes to fast fashion, garments are designed to be worn no more than 10 times, so they cut corners on fabrics, seam construction, and quality control. That’s the opposite of what we do at Taylor Tall. We make sure to use only the highest quality materials as well as finishings such as French seams, sturdy hems, and self fabric bias bindings on neck openings & armholes. Our designs are also intentionally timeless and free of trends so that they never go out of style. We want you to wear and love your Taylor Tall garment for 10 years, not 10 wears.
This brings us to an important metric we want to introduce: cost per wear (CPW). CPW= the cost of the item ($) / divided by the expected lifespan of the garment (# of wears). For example- an Asos Tall oversized t-shirt costs $23. If you wear it the average number of times for a fast fashion garment (7), the cost per wear is $3.29. Let’s compare it to the Taylor Tall Midweight Cotton Seamed Top, which costs $90. If you wear it 15 times per year (lasting way longer than the fast fashion tee), and you have it for 5 years, that’s 75 wears. This would make the cost per wear= $90 / 75, a.k.a. CPW= $1.20. The CPW of a better quality, more expensive item ends up being less than the CPW of a cheaper, lower quality item because the more expensive item has a much longer life span.
Overall we know that our pieces are an investment, but we truly want to make each Taylor Tall garment an item of value in your life. We are here to help you every step of the way, whether it be finding your favorite fabric or getting the fit just right. To aid in this effort, we created a free, downloadable Tall Fit Guide to help you take the guesswork out of shopping, and we also offer a free fit kit that includes a swatch booklet of all of the fabrics in our collection, a flexible measuring tape, and a measurement card with tips & tricks to getting your measurements perfect in the comfort of your own home.
We believe your Taylor Tall garment should feel different than every other piece in your closet, and we hope you love wearing our clothes as much as we love making them for you.
]]>
Credit: Joe Raedle, Getty Images
That being said, even with the groundbreaking vaccine in its initial stages of distribution, it seems it will still be close to a year before our everyday lives are “back to normal.” We need to continue staying home, social distancing, washing our hands, and wearing a mask to keep each other safe until the vaccine is able to be distributed widely throughout the world.
We’re so excited to announce the launch of our mask capsule collection, featuring 3 thoughtfully designed mask styles. Made from 3 layers of 100% cotton, they will keep you safe, stylish, and comfortable.
We were inspired by chilly Chicago winters to design a new style of mask that combines an infinity scarf with the traditional cloth mask style, where you can tuck the mask safely away when you don’t need to wear it. Not to mention it will keep you warm!
And finally, we made it through 2020! That’s something for everyone to celebrate. As we adapted to all the curveballs this rollercoaster year threw at us, we are proud that we remained true to our ethical & sustainable values.
A master weaver at WomenWeave, one of our fabric suppliers, prepares the handloom for weaving.
From cut to sew, each garment is consciously crafted. We carefully select the manufacturers we partner with and invest in building a relationship with them. We pride ourselves in collaborating with fair trade organizations, non-profits, weaving schools, and female-owned businesses locally and abroad.
If you’re new here, here’s some background on us—Taylor Tall is founded by me, Taylor, and my husband Nathaniel. We’re on a mission to change the fashion experience for tall women. Creating garments that accommodate a wide range of tall figures is challenging, but our strong sense of curiosity spurred the creation of a new approach to garment production.
At Taylor Tall, our work is fueled by our passion for understanding the intricacies of how clothing fits. We don't just add inches, our clothing is thoughtfully designed from the ground up to fit tall women. We know women are tall in different ways. That's why each piece is made to order with the option to customize its length.
We strive to improve every aspect of the clothing you wear from the fit and construction to the fabric and finish. We want you to wear your favorite top for years to come. The quality of our unique fabrics and stitching makes each piece durable regardless of how often you wear it.
We believe your Taylor Tall garment should feel different than every other piece in your closet. We hope to make shopping for your true fit effortless.
EMAIL EXCLUSIVE: All email subscribers that shop the sale will qualify for a free gift with purchase as a thank you for supporting our brand!
You will receive a fair trade certified sturdy cotton canvas tote in one of 5 vibrant prints shown below.
“At 5'10", I quickly came to realize that I didn't fit into standard sizing in all my favorite stores. While working in the apparel industry I had the opportunity to really learn about fit, and understand exactly why garments weren't fitting me. Here's the thing - tall women are tall in different ways. Some women may be 5'9"-5'10" but have really long torsos with a "shorter" inseam (but still longer than "standard"). Others are 6'4" with a really long inseam, but the same torso length as their 5'10" sisters. Some women have proportionally similar torsos and legs. It really depends on the individual woman!”
- Taylor McCleneghan, Founder & Creative Director
Because of these frustrating fit issues, many tall women have felt the need to turn to custom clothing. When you’re working with a tailor/seamstress or designer to create custom garments, you run into an entirely different set of obstacles. Custom clothing is expensive, unattainable for many, and usually takes many rounds of revisions before the garment is completed.
We’ve worked hard at Taylor Tall to find a solution for these issues, and have created a fit system specifically tailored to tall proportions. On top of that, each piece is made just for you with TLC: total length customization— thoughtfully designed for tall women, and sewn to your perfect length. So while we aren't in the business of designing and constructing custom clothing, the way we create our garments eliminates the need for true custom. Whether you're a 32" or 38" inseam, we've got you covered.
“I started my quest to try the tall clothing market, but still came across hurdles. For me, I loved that some tall brands finally gave me the legit tall girl high rise I was looking for, but they only came with a 36" or 38" inseam. In big brand "tall sections" they had the 33" inseam that I needed, but hadn't really made any "tall" changes to the pant in the rise or taper of the leg. Hello tight calves!! My conclusion was: if I'm going to create a line for tall women - it needs to work for a RANGE of tall women. This is what Taylor Tall strives to do. ”
- Taylor McCleneghan, Founder & Creative Director
After interviewing and measuring many different women, we realized that they were commonly tall in areas like the shoulder to bust and waist lines, rise from seat to waist, and taper of the leg. The further 3-4 inch difference in height could be accommodated for by choice of design and custom total length.
To help you ensure a perfect fit, we created a free, downloadable Tall Fit Guide with tips on proportions, styling, taking measurements, and more. We also offer a complimentary “fit kit” that includes a measurement card with instructions, flexible measuring tape, and fabric swatch booklet. The fit kit is included with every gift card purchase— making an ideal gift for the tall women in your life, or a special treat for you!
]]>
At Taylor Tall, we believe that purchases should be based on information over impulse. We encourage all of our customers to shop slowly, and want to highlight the importance of conscious consumption. Taylor Tall is a “slow fashion” brand through and through. Our clothing is consciously crafted and designed to last.
CONSCIOUSLY CRAFTED
We carefully select the manufacturers we partner with and invest in building a relationship with them. We pride ourselves on collaborating with fair trade organizations, non-profits, weaving schools, and female-owned businesses locally and abroad.
DESIGNED TO LAST
We believe in creating quality pieces that are timeless and effortlessly fit. We want you to wear your favorite top for years to come. The quality of our unique fabrics and stitching makes each piece durable regardless of how often you wear it.
____________________________________________
However, we want to THANK YOU for shopping slow and shopping small this Holiday Season, so we are offering 15% OFF of all made to order pieces through the end of November with code SHOPDIFFERENT15. This way, you still get a saving but have plenty of time to consider your purchase decisions— limiting buyers remorse, returns, and more clothing in landfills.
The sale also features our gift card package, which includes a swatch booklet, flexible measuring tape, and measurement card to help you get the perfect fit.
We also want to encourage you to join us in contributing to the Native American community this Thanksgiving. We will be making a donation to the Native American Rights Fund as a small acknowledgement to the work that must be done to right the wrongs continually being perpetrated against the Indigenous peoples of this country.
We are so grateful for this amazing community of tall women, and hope everyone is safe, happy, and healthy this Thanksgiving!
]]>Karli Kloss (6'2") wears a high-waisted and relaxed-cut pant that’s cropped above the ankle-- an extremely flattering silhouette. Try our Handspun Cotton High Rise Ankle Pant for pants that hit right where you want them. With added rise and a curved waistband, you’re guaranteed comfort & style. We know Karli Kloss is a supermodel, but you can feel like a supermodel too in clothing that FITS and was made for your height.
Michelle Obama (5'11") has really been upping her style game in the last few years and we’re here for it! (who can forget her Balenciaga boots moment) For her recent spread in Essence Magazine, she donned a sleek longline blazer over a fitted white jumpsuit. The longer length in the blazer provides a slimming effect and actually hits at the natural hip line to balance out proportions. Try our Handspun Cotton Longline Blazer for an effortless yet polished look that you can wear to work or out with friends. It always looks great with jeans, but we also love it paired as a monochromatic look with our High Rise Ankle Pant.
Tilda Swinton (5'11") shows us how a monochromatic look of a high-waisted cropped pant paired with a longline blazer can be a showstopper. Both pieces celebrate your height while still flattering your proportions. It will be your new power suit and/or a killer date night look, all you need is the right accessories.
Taylor shows us how this monochromatic look can easily transition from work to a night out, simply by switching your bag and letting your hair down.
Most off-the-rack clothing is designed for the "average" US woman, who is between 5'4" and 5'6". That may come as a shock to some, but when it comes to shopping for us tall women-- the struggle is real.
At Taylor Tall, our motto is, "You Deserve Clothing That Fits"
At Taylor Tall, we know women are tall in different ways. By focusing on women who are 5'9" and over, we have created a fit system that works for people with longer proportions.
Gone are the days of going up 3 sizes just for that extra inch. Free yourself from lengths that ride up and curves that squeeze you in the wrong places. We believe you deserve better.
Our premium fabrics and expert tailoring mean that styling your height is a celebration instead of a challenge.
Each piece is made just for you with TLC -total length customization- to the length of your choice. When it comes to your perfect sleeve length, hem length, or inseam, we've got you covered.
We also build our clothes with generous seam allowance, especially at the center back of our pants, so that you can easily adjust the size over time and never "outgrow" your clothes.
In an effort to reduce consumption, we will provide a $15 store credit for any alterations of mending work. By extending the life time of your garment, we are also keeping more clothing waste out of landfills- a win-win in our book.
We believe your Taylor Tall garment should feel different than every other piece in your closet. We hope to make shopping for your true fit effortless.
Welcome to "Think Tall, Shop Small", we're happy you're here! If you're reading this, you're most likely a tall woman, care about fair trade, prefer natural/organic fabrics, or all of the above.
At Taylor Tall, we believe clothes should make you feel good. Our timeless basics feature classic silhouettes that are thoughtfully crafted for tall women.
With quality at the core of each design, we source handcrafted fabrics made to last. From cut to sew, each garment is ethically crafted. We carefully select the manufacturers we partner with (locally and abroad) and invest in building a relationship with them.
We collaborate with:
"Working in the fashion industry, I loved developing designs with natural and handmade textiles for other brands, but nothing fit my height! As a designer, creating a great fit for a range of tall heights is so important!"
- Taylor McCleneghan, Co-Founder & Creative Director, 5'11"
When it comes to "tall design," we don't just add inches. Instead, our clothing is intentionally designed from the ground up to fit tall women. We also offer the option to customize each piece, ensuring you get the perfect fit.
We want you to wear your favorite piece for years to come, so not only do we focus on fit, but also high quality materials designed to go the distance. That's why we source fine, hand-crafted fabric that feels good and gets softer with each wear.
"I designed this top to flatter tall women’s arms. Proportions matter in making sure the sleeve hits and fits at the right spot, even when it is a short-sleeve style. I also absolutely love how the handwoven cotton fabric feels on my skin. It’s unique texture feels elegant and stands the test of time."
-Taylor
Taylor Tall adjustment: shoulders are widened for tall frames and end at the curve of shoulder to arm. Sleeve shape is also adjusted to prevent tightness.
The two-toned weave also provides depth to the rich navy hue of the hand-woven organic cotton.
Take a cue from Taylor and pair it with our Handspun Cotton High Rise Ankle Pant or your favorite jeans for an effortless casual look, or dress it up for the workday with a vintage pencil skirt!
]]>