I’m 6’1” with a 36-inch inseam. For the first three years I lived in Montreal, I bought pants online, prayed they’d arrive long enough, and returned about 70% of them. The return shipping alone cost me more than a pair of jeans. The local stores I walked into either carried nothing past a 32-inch inseam or looked at me like I’d asked for a unicorn.
After a decade of trial, error, and a closet full of ankle-grazers that were supposed to be full-length, I’ve got a shortlist. These are the stores in and around Montreal where tall women can actually find pants that hit the floor — and the ones I’ve stopped wasting time on.
The Inseam Gap: Why Most Montreal Stores Fail Tall Women
The standard “tall” size in most North American brands is a 34-inch inseam. That works if you’re 5’10” with a shorter torso. But if you’re 6’0” or taller, or you have long legs relative to your torso, 34 inches is still too short. You need 36 or even 38 inches.
Montreal’s retail landscape is dominated by Quebec-based chains like Aritzia and RW&CO, plus international fast-fashion. Here’s the hard truth: most of them don’t stock tall sizes in-store. You can order online, but you can’t try on. And the return policies are punishing.
What “Tall” Actually Means in Montreal Stores
I measured the inseams on every pair of “tall” pants I bought in Montreal over two years. Here’s the data:
| Store | Stated “Tall” Inseam | Actual Measured Inseam | In-Store Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aritzia | 32.5” – 34” | 32” – 33.5” | Tall sizes online only |
| RW&CO | 34” | 33” – 34” | Very limited in-store |
| Old Navy (online tall) | 36” | 35.5” – 36” | Online only for tall |
| American Eagle (online tall) | 36” | 35.5” – 36.5” | Online only for tall |
| Simons | 34” (some brands 36”) | 33” – 35” | In-store, brand-dependent |
The takeaway: if you need a 36-inch inseam, your only reliable in-store option in Montreal is Simons, and only for specific brands. Everyone else requires an online order and a return gamble.
The Three Stores I Actually Walk Into (and What I Buy There)
I stopped walking into random boutiques on Sainte-Catherine years ago. Now I have three stores I trust, and I go in with a specific mission.
Simons — The Only Montreal Store With a Real Tall Section
The Simons location at 977 Sainte-Catherine West has a dedicated tall section on the second floor. It’s small — maybe 20 racks — but it’s consistent. I’ve bought Le 31 jeans (their in-house brand) in a 36-inch inseam for $79. They fit. No hemming required. The Twik brand also carries tall sizes in-store, usually in straight-leg and wide-leg cuts.
The catch: the tall section is seasonal. In fall and winter, you’ll find tall wool trousers and dark denim. In spring, it’s all linen pants and light wash. If you see something you like, buy it. It won’t be restocked until next year.
Old Navy at Marché Central — Online Order, Pick Up In Store
Old Navy’s tall sizing is the most consistent I’ve found for basics. Their 36-inch inseam jeans ($50–$60) and joggers ($35) are my go-to for everyday wear. I order online, select “pick up in store” at the Marché Central location, and try them on in the fitting room before leaving. If they don’t fit, I return them on the spot. No shipping costs. No waiting.
The quality is what you’d expect for the price — decent for the first 6 months, then the knees start bagging. But for $50, I’m not complaining.
American Eagle at Carrefour Laval — Best for Denim
American Eagle’s tall jeans in a 36-inch inseam ($70–$90) are the best-fitting denim I own. The stretch is forgiving, the waist doesn’t gap, and the length is accurate. I drive up to Carrefour Laval specifically for their tall section. It’s worth the 20-minute drive from downtown.
They also carry tall leggings and sweatpants. The Offline by Aerie leggings in tall ($45) hit my ankle bone perfectly. No flooding.
Online-Only Brands That Deliver to Montreal (and Don’t Charge Return Fees)
I still order online for variety. But I’ve learned the hard way that return shipping eats into your budget fast. These three brands have free returns to Canada, which makes the risk worth taking.
Long Tall Sally — The Old Reliable
Long Tall Sally is the only brand that consistently offers 38-inch inseams. Their skinny jeans ($89) and ponte pants ($79) are staples. Shipping to Montreal takes about 10 days. Returns are free within 30 days. The fit is consistent — I order the same size every time and it works.
The downside: the styles are basic. You won’t find trendy cuts or bold colors. But if you need black trousers that actually reach your shoes for a work event, this is the answer.
ASOS Tall — The Largest Selection, But Quality Varies
ASOS Tall has hundreds of options in 36-inch and 38-inch inseams. I’ve bought ASOS Design tall jeans ($55) that lasted two years, and ASOS Design tall wide-leg trousers ($48) that looked great for one season before the fabric pilled. The range is huge, but you have to read reviews carefully. Some items run short.
Free returns to Canada. I usually order 5 pairs, try them on, and send 3 back. The process is painless.
Gap — The Underrated Option for Work Pants
Gap’s tall section online offers 36-inch inseam chinos ($70) and straight-leg trousers ($80). The fabric is thicker than Old Navy’s, and the fit is more tailored. I wear their GapFit high-rise leggings in tall ($55) for running. Free returns to Canada, and they frequently run 40% off sales.
What I Stopped Buying (and Why You Should Too)
I have a graveyard of bad purchases. These are the ones I’ll never make again.
Aritzia “Tall” Pants — Not Tall Enough
Aritzia’s tall sizes max out at 34 inches. For a brand based in Vancouver, you’d think they’d understand long legs. Their Effortless Pant in tall ($148) measured 33.5 inches on my pair. That’s not tall. That’s regular. I returned them and paid $12 in shipping. Never again.
Uniqlo — No Tall Options at All
Uniqlo doesn’t offer tall sizes in Canada. Their longest inseam is 32 inches. If you’re 5’8” or shorter, you’re fine. For anyone taller, every pant is an ankle crop. I’ve stopped even walking into the Eaton Centre location.
RW&CO — Inconsistent Sizing
RW&CO carries tall online, but the inseam varies wildly between styles. I ordered a pair of RW&CO Ryan slim pants in tall ($89) and got 33 inches. The same style in a different color delivered 35 inches. I can’t gamble $89 on a coin flip.
When You’re Better Off Getting Pants Hemmed Instead
Here’s the counterintuitive truth: if you need a 38-inch inseam or longer, you’re better off buying men’s pants or unhemmed trousers and getting them tailored. Montreal has several affordable alteration shops that will hem pants for $15–$25.
I go to Couture Express at 1230 Rue Peel. They’ve shortened men’s dress pants for me in 24 hours for $18. If you buy a pair of Banana Republic Factory men’s chinos ($40, 36-inch inseam) and have them hemmed to exactly your length, you save money and get a perfect fit. The tradeoff is the cut — men’s pants have a straighter hip and lower rise. But for work trousers, it works.
I still buy jeans and leggings from the stores above. But for dress pants and formal wear, tailoring is the better move. It costs less than returning three failed online orders.
