Clothes And Escorts Are Problem For Tall Women

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 9

Clothes And Escorts Are Problem For Tall Women

“The Press” Special Service

AUCKLAND, May 26. Some of Auckland's tallest women held a measuring contest this week. The winner was Miss Florence Winterbourn. 6ft in her stockinged feet. Miss Winterbourn, who is blonde and a nurse, won in a “photo finish” from Mrs de Cairos Reay, who stands 6ft Ijin.

The contest was staged at a meeting of the New Zealand Association for Tall Women, a group whose chief problems are: to buy clothes that will fit them; and to find men friends whom they do not dwarf. Twenty-seven women, some exceedingly attractive, attended the meeting. Most were near the six feet mark. With the shortage of outsize merchandise as their war cry, they proceeded to criticise the manufacturers. “My feet are size 8i l ,” said one. “Every time I want my shoes repaired I have to go to bed.”

Complaint No. 2 was about stockings, which, they said, never seemed long

enough. The girls brightened, however, when told by the chairwoman that the manufacturers had promised to help. They resolved to publish a monthly newsletter, advising tall girls where to shop. And they decided to begin a recruiting drive. (They already have 80 members; minimum height, sft Bin).

The girls then resolved to do something “socially.” It would be a good idea, they agreed, to take deportment lessons from one of their number —a model. Miss Pamela Reeve. Miss Reeve just qualifies for membership. She is only sft 9in.

On the subject of men, the tall girlf differ from their shorter sisters. They like their males to look up to them—but not in the literal sense. They are a little tired, furthermore, of facetious fellows who make such remarks as "She hasn’t much money, but she’ll never be short," and “It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved a tall.”