The Pros and Cons of Being Tall: A Dutch-Californian’s Take.

Growing up in the Netherlands, I was always the kid who could grab the ball off the roof when it got stuck. I was also the awkward kid who looked older because I was tall, yet incredibly uncoordinated as I adjusted to my growing body. By the time I moved to the USA to play college basketball (2013), my height had become my calling card—both a blessing and, let’s be honest, a bit of a curse. If you’re tall like me (I’m 6’9”, by the way), you’re probably nodding along to the same list of ups and downs I’ve lived through. So, let’s break it down: the pros and cons of towering over the crowd, from a guy who’s been there, dunked that, and now designs shirts to fix one of the biggest headaches.

The Pros of Being Tall

1. Reaching the High Shelves Need that dusty jar of stroopwafels from the top shelf? Done. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been the grocery store hero for shorter folks. It’s a small superpower that never gets old and makes me feel like I did my good deed for the day.

2. Seeing Over Fences (and Crowds) Whether it’s sneaking a peek at a neighbor’s tulip garden back in Holland or spotting a friend in a packed California festival, height gives you a VIP view. No tiptoes required (though I still use them).

3. Instant Conversation Starter “Wow, you’re tall!” It’s the line I’ve heard from Amsterdam to LA. It’s an easy icebreaker—people are curious, and it’s a great way to connect, especially as an immigrant finding my footing.

4. Athletic Edge Basketball was my ticket to the U.S., and height was my wingman. From blocking shots to shooting over people (I wasn’t much of a contact layup guy, to be honest), being tall gave me a leg up (or two). It’s not just hoops—think volleyball, rowing, or even cycling with those long legs.

5. Commanding Presence Walk into a room, and people notice. There’s something about height that makes you stand out, whether you’re pitching an idea or just ordering a coffee. It’s not arrogance—it’s physics.

   
   

The Cons of Being Tall

1. Crammed in Planes Flying from the Netherlands to California is a 10-hour-plus torture session when your knees are kissing the seat in front of you. Shoutout to all my seat-reclining people in front of me. Economy class wasn’t built for us—my legs beg for an exit row every time.

2. Knee, Back, and Ankle Pain Years of basketball didn’t help, but even without sports, being tall means more strain. My knees groan after a long day, and don’t get me started on hunching over tiny desks or low ceilings.

3. Head-Bumping Hazards Low doorframes, ceiling fans, even that sneaky chandelier at a friend’s place—I’ve got the forehead scars to prove it. Tall life is a constant game of duck-or-conk. ‘Do you really have to duck for that?’ No, but I do it just in case—trust me.

4. Clothing That Just Doesn’t Fit Here’s the kicker: finding clothes is a nightmare. Off-the-rack shirts? Sleeves end at my forearms, and the torso’s either too short or so wide I look like I’m wearing a tent. Pants? Flood territory unless I want a baggy waist. It’s why, after years of frustration—on the court, in the office, everywhere—I started TFT Designs. Tall folks deserve dress shirts that fit our frames, not just our height.

   
   

From Con to Solution: TFT Designs

That last con hit me hard. After moving to California, I’d show up to interviews or meetings in shirts that made me feel like a scarecrow—too short in the arms, too wide in the middle. My basketball days taught me confidence comes from how you carry yourself, but how do you do that when nothing fits? So, I took matters into my own hands. TFT Designs is about dress shirts for tall people that don’t assume we’re all built like linebackers. Slim, tailored, and long where it counts—because being tall should feel good, not awkward.

What’s your favorite tall perk—or the one con you’d banish forever? Drop a comment below, and if you’re tired of shirts that don’t get you, check out our latest collection. Here’s to owning our height, one stitch at a time.