My Story:
In the 7th grade, I lost a majority of my childhood baby weight, and in the 8th grade after I did Weight Watchers for a year, I was finally comfortable with my body. When I reached my sophomore year of high school I'd compare my body with friends when we went to the beach, celebrities in movies, and the unholy fitness magazines. I NEVER SAW PEOPLE THAT LOOKED LIKE ME!! I had more fat on my torso and no matter what I did it was there. Even though I was not overweight at the time, many things made me look boxy...because how am I supposed to know about short torsos and long legs in high school??
When I turned 21, I wanted to lose weight again cause of the cover of one of my favorite celebs on a magazine (who later confessed she lost weight due to an eating disorder). I dieted past the point of obsession, and I lost energy, lost focus in school, lost my self worth, I wasn't me anymore. I was after someone other girl's body, some other girls goals and dreams, and I lost the connection with my soul. Even at my skinniest, I still had a short torso and long legs and I thought I was doing something wrong.
Anyway, to make a long story a little shorter, I realized just because I'm tall does not mean I have to have a flat stomach and a belly button almost up to my chest. I have a specific body type and i have to celebrate it.
How do I know I have a short torso and long legs?
Trust me...you know! It is obvious. You may have struggled with it, felt awkward standing, loved it, or tried not to look at your body some days, cause let's face it...its rarely glorified...especially when skimming through redundant fitness magazines with reused tips in different words.
If your legs are longer than your upper body you have a long legged vertical body type...
- Your hipline height is higher than half your full height
- You should also have a high waist -- your waist will be higher than your bent elbow
- You will have a proportionally short torso
- Your bottom will typically be round and high
- You tend to put on weight around your waist, above your waist or on the back of your hips
- You may also be tall -- although short people can also be long legged
Many ads for fashion and fitness use models that have long torsos. Yes they are tall, even as tall as me, but what makes more money? Legs or Stomach? Aside from King's magazine, most women magazines, especially for fitness, show the torso and inner thighs....gee what does that mean? The torso must look skinner, and longer, and leaner, so forget about long legs or the body as a whole, lets make people feel that the unachievable is possible, and you are just not working out enough or eating the right foods! The weight loss industry is a money making industry. They will convince anyone they need a"body" makeover, and unfortionately short torso women with long legs are the minority in the fashion world. Tall or short.
Purpose:
This page is for the most ignored body type. I will post unique style ideas, business casual, classy/flirty, and urban styles for short torso long legged women. Let's face it, it's a pain to find a top that does not hide your curves, while finding bottoms that don't make your butt look completely flat having crack exposing moments! I know all of you have had the issues covering your rear end when you sit.
The most criticized in the media of body types, and one of the most curviest body types of them all, the short torso long killer legs. We deserve a pat on the back for once. :)