Average Height of All Men: 5’9 or 5’6” (depending on what source you choose)
Average Height of American Men: 5’10” (almost)
Average Height of All Women: 5’3”
Average Height of American Women: 5’4”
Average Height of Women Supermodels: 5’9″
My Height: 5’10”
To be considered a tall woman in the United States, she must achieve 5’7” in vertical talent. I’m three inches more talented than that. Also, I’m taller than a lot of models. Hello, Ford Models! I’m waiting for my contract.
National and international heights are trending upwards. Over the last 150 years, the average height for people living in industrialized nations has increased by FOUR inches. Evolution plays a part in the height increase because ladies like the tall guys, and tall guys usually make tall or tallish humans. However, evolution doesn’t play a big enough part in the equation to explain an increase of four inches in such a short period of time. Nutrition is the key component. For most of history, food was not readily available, and the first modern, one-stop American grocery store didn’t open until August 1930. Dying of hunger was a pretty common reason for death for a long time. If you wanted to eat, you had to hunt, gather, farm, or steal it. As food became more accessible, children started eating regular meals. Well fed children are healthier children, and those children grow the way they’re supposed to into non-stunted adults. Food isn’t just more accessible, it’s more nutritious than it was before because technology. There’s a lot of really interesting proof and resources on the subject, but back to me!
I guess my parents fed me because I’m a tall lady. The funny thing is I’m the short one on my dad’s side of the family. My aunt is 6’ tall and my cousin (her daughter) is well on her way. Growing up I was never tall for my age. When most girls stopped growing between 13 and 15, I kept growing for another six years. I started being “tall” my sophomore year in high school. By the time I was a senior, I was one of the tallest girls in school and there were 1,500 students. I stopped growing at 21. In college, my friends were shocked I was still growing out of pants for reasons other than I had an obsession with chocolate milk, candy, and cake. My feet stopped growing when I was 13… My body is and always has been confused.
I love being tall for so many reasons. I don’t need to ask people to get things off the top shelf. I have a great line of sight pretty much everywhere. There are some real downsides, though.
- Jumpsuits!!! I hated on jumpsuits for a long time when they came back into style. Not because I didn’t like them, but because they didn’t like me. I was like the mean girl in high school when it came to jumpsuits. Being tall, jumpsuits are not usually designed with me in mind, and I don’t have the budget to buy jumpsuits designed for supermodels. Not only is it a wedgie in the back, it’s a wedgie in the front. 180° wedgie. Cute. In the last year or so, brands have started making jumpsuits for tall girls. Old Navy, Aerie, I’m looking at you. I can now enjoy them!!!! And they’re great. Ugh, finally I can stop being mean to jumpsuits.
- I REALLY AM 5’10” This may just be me. I don’t know if it’s because I’m curvy or proportional or my personality or what it is, but people will argue with me about how tall I am… Even in person! Over the interwebs, fine whatever. I don’t care. But when I’m right in front of you! Ugh. I am actually 5’10”. I’ve had 5’8” (other heights too, but it’s almost always someone around the 5’8” range that wants to prove to me they’re taller. No you’re not. I’ll sit on you, stop.) men and women try to argue that I’m definitely shorter than them. When we go back to back and their hand comes halfway up my head, they eat shit! Because I am taller than them. Ha! I don’t know why this irritates me so much. It really doesn’t matter. Being tall doesn’t make me or anyone else better than anyone else, but some people really want to argue that I’m not tall because I don’t look tall… Sorry not all 5’10” girls look like Victoria’s Secret models. Which speaks to the fact Victoria’s Secret really needs to diversify their angels. Come on guys (and yes dudes, they’re in charge), it’s 2020.
- Sometimes I want to feel small. I don’t know why, but sometimes I just want to feel little. Maybe this just has to do with sex. Watch TV or movies. Sexy scenes dudes are picking up girls and walking to the bedroom or pushing them up against a wall or a door or a whatever. It just doesn’t work with a tall girl. The legs go everywhere. Or maybe I need to diddle stronger dudes. You’re welcome for too much information.
- Pants I am a vocal opponent of pants, but I wear them far more than I would like to. In order to wear them, I have to find ones that fit. I have curves aka an ass and hips. For some reason, most brands don’t make pants for tall girls with an ass in a size 4 or 6. It’s super frustrating. Where am I supposed to put this butt? Obviously not in these pants.
- Dating… I’m taller than the average man in the United States (and world but I’ve not had the opportunity to date internationally yet), which means over half of the guys in this country are shorter than me by a little or a lot. I don’t mind dating short guys. Most of the guys I have dated are shorter than me. My current boyfriend and I are basically the same height (he’s actually shorter, but I’m sparing his feelings by saying we’re basically the same height), so when I put heels on, we’re in different elevation zones. It seems like the taller the guy the shorter the girl. My brother (6’2”) married a 5’½” woman. Look at professional athletes… Point proven. After dating a guy who was 5’5” – on a good day – it’s better for my back to date taller guys, which is why tall guys should date tall girls: I’M GOOD FOR YOUR BACK!!! THINK OF OLD YOU, PICK ME!
- Dresses… Maxi dresses are my favorite because they make me feel like a classy lady even though I’m absolutely bonkers. Maxi dresses are not practical in most situations, but it’s hard finding short dresses that don’t also show off my labia. (Spanx are my best friend for this reason and the chafe.) Even maxi dresses are hard because they’re never quite long enough. I end up buying tea length dresses because it cuts down on the voyeurism. Just forget clubbing dresses. That’s a hard nope. I’ve seen strippers with less visible skin than me in a minidress.
- Men get weirdly competitive. Sometimes when dudes are shorter than me, they get competitive about all sorts of random shit. Maybe they’re trying to prove their masculinity because I have somehow demasculinized them with my height. Whatever it is, it’s weird and usually mean and/or super disrespectful.
- Economy on an airplane is really fucking tight. This is not exclusively for ladies. It’s inclusive for all tall people. It’s tight. It’s uncomfortable. I feel like I’m eating my knees. Also car rides in the backseat. Really any place with a minimal amount of leg room.
- Gal pal pictures are weird. I love my girlfriends. They’re amazing, but almost all of them are significantly shorter than me. My very best friend is exactly my height. I have an Aussi friend here in Houston who is taller than me. A friend from college was taller. That’s it. Most everyone else is under 5’4”. Do I strike a sorority girl pose so we’re all the same height? Slouch and look lumpy and frumpilicious? Or do I stand normally and be super tall and have them use my boobies as pillows? I don’t have the answer, I’m genuinely asking what looks better.
- Defined waistlines… I love them because they cinchy-cinch my waist and draw attention to my hourglass shape. Yay! …Except defined waistlines are put into dresses based on average height ladies. So almost all defined waists hit me in an unflattering space between an empire waist and the fourth and sixth rib. It’s not cute. It doesn’t even make me look like I have Amazonian legs… It just makes me look fatter than I am. It took me a long time to just put dresses back when the waist doesn’t hit AT my waist. Heartbreaking but the best choice for looking like I know how to shop for my body.
- Barres are not made for me. I trained to be a ballerina for a long time. I have recently started taking barre and ballet classes again. I’m taller now than I was in my ballet days (remember, I kept growing until I was 21), and barres are not set at appropriate heights for tall ladies. While everyone else is enjoying their average height barre, I’m bending over trying to reach it, not getting any stretch, or just balancing on my own because it’s useless.
If you haven’t noticed, I didn’t put heels on this list because I don’t find heels to be a struggle. I love heels. I have always loved heels. I’m going to wear them even though they make me very, very, very tall. Even when I dated the 5’5” dude, wore heels! It’s not a struggle. It’s great! Many other tall ladies feel selfconscious in heels, and I don’t think they should be. If they want to wear heels, wear the damn heels. Because one day we’ll be old and have old lady knees, and we shouldn’t walk around in our orthopedic shoes saying we wish we would’ve worn those cute shoes.
bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna
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Hi! This is a really great answer. I am 5’11, and I’m 14! It is really awkward and hard in school, because everyone is so short. Yeah. Anyway, dancing unit is coming up, and it has to be with a partner for the first time. The tallest guy in my class is 5’6. How can I manage this, and just height in general, and clothes (skirts are tiny, but I’m size six).
Hi Vanessa! Being 14 is hard. I promise some people will catch up, but a lot of people won’t. You’re in the tall girl club. Welcome! It’s so much easier to say than do, but embrace your height. Even the hard parts. It makes you even more special and unique than you already are.
When I was 14, I was ballroom dancing. Boys hit their growth spurts later than girls, so all of the girls were taller than all of the boys. Instead of being self-conscious that we were taller than our partners, we had fun and danced with them anyways. You might have to duck if they spin you, but the boys are as self-conscious as you are about their height. So if you approach it with a positive attitude, you’ll probably make them feel better too. And if someone is mean or rude, that has everything to do with them and their issues and nothing to do with you. Dance away! I dance with short guys all the time because dancing is fun. Dancing partners don’t have to be taller than us. It’s more about the person and just being willing to have fun and try something new. Laughter is always a good problem solver. If you stumble, laugh. If you’re having fun, laugh. Just have fun and try your best.
It’s hard to shop for clothes, but there are more and more brands being size inclusive and thinking of us tall girls. Old Navy, Gap, Aerie, Abercrombie & Fitch, and so many more places are designing with you and I in mind. It’s about finding what works for you and your body, and remember: Your body is going to continue to change for the rest of your life, and that is beautiful! Dress in whatever way that makes you feel good and happy. Don’t let your height hold you back from wearing things you want to wear. I LOVE heels. I wore heels even when I dated a man who was 5’6″, and you know what, he loved that about me.
Confidence is the absolute best accessory, whether you’re tall, short, woman, man, or any living person. Love your body and yourself for exactly who you are because no one is you.
My girlfriend showed me this blog and honestly I am a reasonably tall guy 6’2” and she’s a head taller than me like 6’7” and thinks wearing hi heels is like no big deal since she already towers over me what’s another 4” and I must admit she’s drop dead gorgeous with killer legs, so why do I feel the way I do, she doesn’t mind and actually it’s more awkward for her.
Hi! Tell your girlfriend “she’s amazing and I wish every woman had her confidence” for me! I wish I had better advice for you other than she’s amazing and be ridiculously proud that a strong, independent, fabulously gorgeous woman loves and wants to be with you. Easier said than done. Biology doesn’t make that easy because men are unconsciously attracted to small women because of that hunter-gatherer phase we went through and men’s need to protect, so tall women don’t trigger that same response. Anyways, I love that you two found each other!
Oof! This article sounds like me so much! I’m 15 and 5’10. Thank god i’m probably done growing. But I definitely felt the one about guys getting competitive. Most of my male friends are shorter than me and tend to be really aggressive with me. I think most of our conversations are about who’s taller and who’s shorter. And don’t even mention my desperate wanting to be small. It’s so unfair that guys always go for the short girls.
Hey Anna! That’s so hard. Those guys do not deserve to have you as their friend if that’s what they want to talk about. You are too good for all that nonsense. As much as I think being small would be fun, I really love being exactly how I am. Fifteen is tough no matter what. It’s so easy to say, but the sooner you love your body just how it is the easier life is. Guys are idiots. But the right ones will come into your life and love you just as you are!!!!
Hi i am also worried about my height .i am 15 and 5’1″.What was your height at 15?what helped you to grow?
Hi! There’s nothing you can do to make yourself taller or shorter. That’s just genetics. There are good things and bad things about every height. Most girls are done growing by fifteen, and boys grow for just a few more years longer. I was 5’6″ when I was 15. The only reason why I’m tall is because I have tall family and tall genetics.
Found your site interesting as it brought back a memory from my high school days as being 6’ and
my girlfriend 5’10” and wouldn’t wear hi heels and
I did reach a height of 6’2” and my present girlfriend is 6’1” and constantly wears very hi heels
and as I has no problem towering over me.
Every person is different with unique preferences. With age also comes some comfort and confidence in the bodies we inhabit.
It’s hard being a tall girl. I’m 5’8 and sometimes I’m insecure about my height. Because most guys around me always talk about how they want a short girl. And I’m nothing like that. I don’t think I’ll ever find someone tbh. Guys make it seem like something is wrong with me. Because I’m not a normal height.
Hi! Your height is not something you can change. Being tall can be a challenge but can also be so much fun and a blessing! You will absolutely find someone who loves you for you. If they’re deterred by your height, they do not deserve you. Guys can be very dumb. Honestly, sooooo many men LOVE tall women. For as many dudes that want short girls, just as many want tall girls. There is no such thing as “normal” height. There are only averages. Find different men to talk to… Or ignore them completely, live your life for you, find confidence in your vertical talents, and the right partner will come along and sweep you off your feet. Love yourself! Don’t let anyone make you feel less than when they’re obviously idiots. I have an amazing partner and have had amazing boyfriends… and I’m significantly taller than you.
My present girlfriend showed me this blog and being a male 5’7” and my gf is an amazing 6’1” and even with this difference thinks nothing of wearing a pair of 6” stilettos putting her in a different stratosphere and it’s always been my challenge hugging and kissing her. I love and appreciate every 1” of this very statuesque beauty and even though she says nothing of my short stature I can sense at times her frustration with her height not because she is tall, that i’m so damn short.
Tall women embrace your height, I only wished I could have been taller.
Heyyyy ! I just wanted to make a comment abt how AMAZING your blog is like it’s literally uplifting for all the girlies out here n it made me come to a realization abt my height. Idk if you’re still responding to comments but I really hope you respond to mine. I recently just turned 15 (July 24th) andddd idk how to feel abt my height.. I’m an average height of 5’5-5’6 and I wouldn’t say that I’ve had any problems when it comes to dating besides one of my previous exes decided to make a comment abt how “tall” & “skinny” I am , ngl that really hurt me in a way bc I hate when people like to make remarks abt my body n height. I get that I’m tall n all but sometimes my self esteem & confidence goes down when dealing wit my height. For instance , seeing girls that’s shorter than me.. Tbh I’m not jealous or anything but I really wish that I was a bit shorter than I am yk ? I’m so tired of hearing “you’re so tall” It’s crazy bc I don’t be knowin what to say to remarks like that n it can come off as bein weird.. Ik that there’s nothing I can do to change my height but I’m just so tired of feeling down abt it.