Extended Size Slippers for Tall Women: end of an era

You may not have noticed a quiet change on the website recently, but Lisa did; I’ve stopped offering our beloved extended-size slippers for tall women, 'Carolyn' and UGG boots 'Selena'.

It wasn’t a decision I made lightly. My Australian manufacturer, who had long supported our small-run slipper production, asked me to stop promoting them. The truth? They’re simply no longer viable to make. Small-run, niche items cost more to produce and given we've only sold three 'Selena's' to Clare and her family, both designs to Amanda and just a handful to others, it's easy to see that when demand softens, even a little, manufacturers have to make tough calls. And so do I.

Until recently, Miss G & Me was the ONLY place you could buy Australian-made, quality wool slippers and UGG Boots up to a woman's size 14.

This is a hard truth for many small businesses in Australia right now, and it’s not just me.

Wittner Shoes enters administration

You may have seen it in the news: Wittner Shoes, a 112-year-old Australian footwear company, has entered self-administration (read more here). Wittner. A household name. If a nationally recognised brand with large-scale operations and loyal customers is struggling to stay afloat, what hope do the rest of us have?

In the last 12 months alone, over 250 Australian businesses have entered administration. It’s not just economic downturns. It’s the reality of operating in a world where even your most dedicated followers can't always see your posts, find your products, or know when something disappears.

*A snapshot of my Wittner collection, mostly EU 42, but a rare 43 when available

Let me explain how businesses like mine survive (or don’t) in a competitive market

In a textbook economy, prices are set by the dance between supply and demand. But when you run a small, niche brand, like Miss G & Me, designed specifically for tall women, the dance looks more like a newborn giraffe doing the tango.

Big brands have the cash to outspend, out-promote, and outlast us. I don’t have those resources. Every decision I make, from sourcing fabric to deciding which sizes to produce, or not, is directly influenced by what I see you engaging with. What items you click on. How long you browse. What you add to your cart (even if you don’t buy).

Those tiny online actions? They’re not nothing. They tell the algorithms, Google, Meta, all of them, who should see my ads and native content. And when the algorithm knows to show Miss G & Me to tall Australian women, we get a chance to stay in the game.

So what can you do?

Honestly? More than you think.

Even if you’re not planning to shop today, here are three easy ways to make a big difference:

🛒 Add something to your cart. That small action sends a powerful signal to the algorithm. It helps the tech platforms connect me with the right audience: tall women across Australia who are also struggling to find beautiful clothes that fit. Think of it like obligation-free window shopping with a purpose.

ADD SOMETHING TO CART AT MISS G & ME

📲 Engage with me on social media. Like, comment, share, save, every little bit helps. Right now, Miss G & Me has around 2,000 followers each on Instagram and Facebook. Every time you interact, you’re helping me reach more people who’ve never heard of us, but desperately need clothes that fit their frame.

💬 Tell someone. Know a tall woman? Let her know we exist. Word of mouth is still my strongest growth channel. It’s how I’ve made it this far - even better, invite them to our Tall Australian Women's Group on Meta.

🧐 Check out Onya in NZ. Oya is a new brand addressing a gap in the market with incredibly beautiful shoes for women with longer feet.

The shoes are designed in New Zealand by founder Nicola Garvey, who herself wears a size 13 (or 45 EU) and is all too familiar with the struggles of being a tall woman.

Oya shoes are handcrafted by artisans in Italy's famous shoe-making region, Marche.

Oya - https://oyafootwear.com/

Why these steps matter more than ever

I didn’t start Miss G & Me because I loved fashion. I started it because I was tired of being left out, I proudly state I want to wear beautiful clothes that properly fit me. Tall women deserve to feel seen, understood, and catered for, and I’m proud to be building that space - the decision to stop promoting extended size slippers tore me apart - I feel I joined the 'let's disempower tall women by ignoring them' club.

If we want purpose-built businesses to thrive, we have to show up for them. Every click. Every share. Every quiet act of support helps.

When a small business intentionally reduces supply or closes, we don’t just lose products; we lose diversity, creativity, and something real that once belonged to us all.

Thank you for being here. For following along. For keeping this niche, slightly stubborn, proudly tall idea alive.

With love,

Penni

Founder, Miss G & Me - 6’1 and still dreaming big!

Miss G and Me is the only Australian-made tall women’s clothing label. This reflects a passion for beautiful and sustainable fashion that fits tall women and lasts beyond a few washes. This article was written by the founder + designer, 6'1 Penni Lamprey, who has a passionate focus on 'well' and 'being'. Well-fitting clothes positively contribute to an individual's self-esteem—the heart of the label's values.