What Very Tall Women May Do to Look Quite Pretty.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11, 18 March 1905, Page 60

What Very Tall Women May Do to Look Quite Pretty.

There are certain points which must he studied by every tall woman who would look her l>est in the eyes of other men ami women. Somehow, men do not take very kindly to the tall wo.nan a times. They seem to have a prejudice against her. more particularly if they themselves are of small or middle height. Perhaps it is the t’ ought th at she is apt to make him appear insignificant besid * her which makes a man turn from the woman of commanding stature to he: more petite sister. Or may be th? worn an herself is to blame for not combining lit r height with gracefulness, and a style of dress which makes her least ton spicuous. There is no reason, however, why a tall woman should not make herself quite as charming in the eyes of the male sex as her shorter sister. That a tall woman can be charming no one can deny who has seen such delightfully ( lever actresses as Miss Julie Opp. Miss Olive Oliver, and Miss Marcia Van Dresser, for instance, who are among the tallest of theatrical celebrities. These ladies not only understand the art of dressing to perfection, but they also understand how to carry themselves as a tall woman should. And that is one of the most important secrets of the tall woman’s charms.

It is of little use for a tall woman to take care that she only wears those hats and dresses which produce an appearance of graceful proportion, unless she carries herself well. The fault of nin • out of every ten w omen is that they hav ■ a natural inclination to stoop, evidently in order to appear less tall. Asa matter of fact, the tall woman who stoops when standing or walking with i shorter person, does not take the fraction of an inch off her height. On the contrary, she emphasizes her inches and makes herself look awkward. It is necessary that a tall woman should learn not to be conscious of her height. The mere knowledge that you

are ulmivv the average height makes you feel awkward, which proves that the very first thing for a tall woman to learn is t<» forget about liersclf, and help to keep fiom impressing her height upon others. \\ bile trying to Im* unconscious of her I.(ight. howevi r. the tall woman should not forget the important part which furniture anal surroundings play in her appearance. For instance, there are few tall woman who pay any attention to what sort of chairs tiny sit in. Noticethe contrast between the tall woman sitting in a tiny seat, and one occupying a high backed chair. In the first instance, her shoulders probably droop instinctively to Im* in proportion with her surroundings. her knees assume an awkward angle, while almost invariably you will see her cross her feet or sit with them in some ungraceful position. The impression she gives is that she is far too big for the chair, whereas a high-backed chair permits of graceful poses, and forms a ti.'ing background for the picture. It would doubtless surprise many women to see how some actresses, measuring five feet ten oi eleven inches, make themselves appear five or six inches shorter, and many years younger, in order to impersonate some girlish character. By such simple little devices as •lat heels, ankle-length dresses, and bair done low in the neck, and perfectly Hat on top. it is quite possible for th;* tallest woman to make herself quite petite.