Chapter one
Booty shorts
I was born and raised in a small country town of North Dakota, with my time split between the outdoors and various sports. Basketball, track, gymnastics, and most of all, volleyball. But once high school came along, the novelty and magic of sports hit a road block. Very quickly, I noticed how difficult it was finding clothes—especially athletic wear—for my tall and still growing frame. Sports bras would slide up, regular shorts were booty shorts for me, and "full length" leggings were really capris. Finding no good options, I quickly accepted this as the way clothing would now fit me as a tall girl.
Resigned with my "tall girl problems," I continued with my many exercise outlets—from volleyball leagues, spinning, kick boxing, Ragnar and Spartan races, CrossFit, and strength training. With each sport, I noticed new annoyances with clothing fits. At the same time, fun new colors and patterns that brands were developing were not manufactured in sizes that fit me. I coveted my two sports bras that wouldn’t slide up over my chest during movements—and that proved to be my standard: as long as something fit just okay, it was a happy find.
I felt I could make a change—I wanted this to change—but how? So I kept on, the thought lingering over the years.
Chapter two
Let's change things
Years passed. I was a mother of three boys, balancing motherhood with crossfit, strength training, and of course volleyball, among other activities. But things changed when I had my fourth child: a girl.
Not even five minutes into holding my fourth child and only girl, Lavender Blue, I made a resolution. I wanted things to be different for her. I wanted to give her options. Silly as it may sound, I didn’t want her growing up with the same feelings I did—the meh-it's-just-okay feeling, or shrinking down in photos to match the height of her friends. I wanted to empower her with confidence. After having Lavender and making this resolution, I began noticing more of my friends' young daughters, many of them already very tall and obvious to surpass my 5'11" height. My determination grew and the seed of Altius was born.
Chapter three
Standing tall
It took three years and hundreds of design changes to get things right—but we're finally here. I can honestly say that I've thought through every stitch, the rise and inseams, Altius fabric blends, even the length of pockets and where they hit compared to other athletic wear.
I want to provide a better option for women and girls 5'9" and up. You should be able to choose from fun colors, styles, a true full length legging and biker shorts, and sports bras that stay in place. This is just a humble starting collection and I ask for your patience as I expand it. My mind is full of so many ideas, but I also want each new item to be designed, tested, and produced effectively and meticulously.
My hope is that the Altius line will empower you. I think of you, value you, and want you to feel confident and comfortable in your beautifully tall frame. Put your shoulders back, chin up, believe in yourself, and reach higher. Altius is here to empower you as you #StandTall.
Altius
