Simply Tall

News From Nicole: End of Winter Sale on Now See the new website: www.simplytall.com including on-line purchasing	Simply Tall	Don't Just Take our Word for it: Hi. I am writing to let you know that I have been to, and have purchased clothing at, Simply Tall. I might add that I was entirely dressed en femme both times. Nicole and her family are the best! Friendly and not one bit judgmental. .... A great shopping experience. Will definitely return. Spread the word! Best wishes Lori Ann August 27. 2005
Simply Tall The Market Place-Howland 5000 East Market Street Warren, OH 44484 (330) 856-9633 Hours M-F 10-5; Saturday 11-4 Closed Sunday www.simplytall.com simplytall@neo.rr.com .	It isn't often that Alpha Omega receives an invitation to patronize a business. But maybe times are changing. Two months ago we were contacted by Designs by Victoria, a lingerie, beauty products and large-size shop on Cleveland's west side. This month we received an invitation from Simply Tall, a shop newly opened in Warren. Being 6'2" in my stocking feet I jumped at the opportunity to check this store out. To make things very simple- if you're over 5'10, go. It is a drive from Cleveland, but go. There aren't a lot of alternatives for tall women in the Cleveland area. There is Tall Girl, a Canadian chain with a store in Point Parke Mall in Strongsville. They've been around for a while. I've bought a few things there, but I've never found them friendly, you can't try on clothing and it is in the middle of a huge, conservative mall. Simply Tall is a refreshing and very welcome change. Nicole (6'1" herself) and her mother Lynn run a small, cautiously stocked store front on E. Market Street in Warren. There is no mall to walk through. Parking is available directly in front of the store. And Nicole and her mother made it abundantly clear that I was welcome there. Nor was there a problem with any other customers. There is only one changing room that I was welcome to use when I was ready to take a turn. Nicole has a background in real estate among other things, and she has a sure, friendly way that is sure to attract repeat customers. Being tall she also has an eye for what works. I had been at the store over an hour before one little detail struck me. When I tried on something in the mirror, I didn't have to try to find some magic place to stand where I could see myself without stooping. The whole shop is proportioned for taller people, and it feels just wonderful. Right now Nicole is experimenting with what clothing lines will work. Most of us tall people have to learn how to adapt items aimed at shorter people. What Nicole focuses on then are the things that you really need to have the proportions right on...pants and long-sleeved tops. I've been shifting my wardrobe a little towards pants to better blend in with my friends from Temple. Fitting pants is notoriously hard to do and hard to get a proper look in. Despite having an oversized tush I've found I'm no exception to this. So it was a tremendous pleasure to try on a half dozen pairs to see what worked and what didn't. It was also wonderful to find pants that came down to the bottoms of my heel, and didn't leave my thick ankles exposed. The sweaters also had long enough arms, and I bought one that I actually had to fold cuffs on the sleeves. The sweater was also surprisingly soft and cuddly for something designed as light outdoor wear. Prices are typical for a boutique shop. Don't go expecting to pay discount store prices. I spent about $50 each for a pair of gray dress pants and a brown, zipped buckle detained ribbed cardigan. There are lower end jeans, as well as jeans costing over $100 per pair. Some of the offerings follow the current trend towards very low waists...something many of us should avoid. There was also a rack of Pendleton skirts, slacks and tops and jackets with individual pieces going for $150 or so. Most of the clothing was casual or sporty but there were a few dressy items. And there were coats. I was particularly taken by a full-length fake fur, reversible. I'm saving my pennies for when it arrives in black. Nicole is quite understanding about issues of confidentiality, and credit card charges will only say "Simply Tall" on them. The return policy is standard and practical: All returns and exchanges must be made within 14 days of purchase and accompanied bye the original sales receipt. Merchandise must be in new, unworn condition with the original tags attached- NO EXCEPTIONS! Any returns made without the original sales receipt will be issued store credit only. Finally, for those of you on a budget (and who isn’t) keep your eyes out for the JB Dollar Stretcher or similar publication if you live on the east side of town. There will be an add in the November issue... just in time for last minute Holiday shopping.		Simply Tall- You can see the dressing room in back. In the foreground you can see the Pendleton offerings A closeup of the Winter Coats *Another view, showing the sweaters along the back wall.*