And then there are those studies that say that tall men are perceived as more powerful and better leaders, are more desirable to women, and make more money (almost $1,000 more for every inch of height).
But short men shouldn’t despair. The news isn’t all bad.
First, while height may give men a leg up in the race for success (US presidents have been on average 4 inches taller than the general male population), there are always exceptions to the rule. Andrew Carnegie (5’0”)! Martin Luther King Jr. (5’7”)! Harry Houdini (5’5”)! TE Lawrence (5’6”)! Robert Reich (4’10’)! And have you seen Dennis Kucinich’s wife?
And second, while there isn’t much you can do, short of gruesomely lengthening your bones, to physically increase your height, there are ways to appear taller. Key in this is the way you dress and present yourself, and today we’ll share ten tips on how you can use style to enhance your stature, and perhaps more importantly, your confidence.
The Guiding Rule – Always Streamline Your Look
Looking taller is all about getting viewers’ eyes to travel smoothly up your body. It’s pure illusion: the more their eyes have to sweep upward, the taller their brains will register whatever they’re looking at as being.That means that a shorter man wants to ease and encourage the viewer’s eyes upward towards his face. Visual clutter–such as eye-grabbing stuff on the body–breaks up the impression of height. That means staying away from obvious accessories like big, chunky watches, but it also means keeping an eye out for things as simple as the pockets on your suits and shirts. Something as simple as a pocket flap instead of an unadorned slit pocket can clutter up your appearance and lessen the impression of height.
10 Tips on Dressing Taller
FYI – I put these ten tips in orders of practicality and cost. I realize some of these are beyond some men’s resources or not options worth considering–but I lay them out there so that you can make that decision yourself.1. Monochromatic Color Themes
Along the same lines as minimizing visual clutter, removing contrasting color from your appearance helps streamline the way you look. Keeping all your clothes within a fairly consistent color theme, especially a dark one, will create an illusion of height. Different color shades are fine–just try to keep it loosely monochrome.
When you do wear different colors or different shades of the same color, try to weight the darker colors toward the bottom half of your body. That way people’s attention starts down near your feet and travels upward. Dark trousers with a lighter shirt create a lengthening effect; a darker shirt with lighter pants shortens your appearance.
2. Wear Vertically-Oriented Patterns
Most people have heard that vertical stripes are “slimming” and horizontal stripes are “widening.” That’s just a simplification of the same visual effect we’ve already been talking about: where people’s eyes go when they look at you. Patterns that run horizontally make you seem wider because the eye wants to follow them naturally out to the sides of your body.
Unbroken vertical stripes are one of the best ways to add an impression of height without seeming to try for it. Dress shirts that increase the perception of height ideally have striping that is narrow enough to not create broad empty spaces of monochrome but wide enough to be visible at a glance. The equal-width alternation of white and colored stripes–often called candystriping–is a good choice.
Textured cloth with a visible up-and-down pattern has the same effect as any other vertical striping, so corduroy or very narrow herringbone weaves are also worth working into the wardrobe. Other than those very definitively vertical textures, however, stick to smoother fabrics where possible — rough textures add the visual clutter you want to avoid.
3. Wear Close Fitting Clothing
A loose fit on a short man actually emphasizes his petite frame–it makes him look sloppy, and it signals that he’s too small to find clothing that fits him right. Don’t let your own clothing send this message to the world.
When shopping for menswear, pay close attention to where your clothing sits on your body when you try it on. Most men are used to wearing clothing that is 1 to 2 sizes too large on them, and smaller men who have never given it much attention are some of the worst offenders.
Steer clear of jackets that hang loose in the armpits, even if the sleeves are short enough for your arms, and avoid any trousers with a lot of slack cloth in the crotch. Trust me, this doesn’t make you look more endowed. Instead, that sort of bagginess leads straight to the stereotypical “kid in his father’s suit” look.
Remember that most menswear is deliberately cut loose to accommodate as many body types as possible. Clothing marked small isn’t made for one type of small; it’s often made to try to accommodate shorter men who are anything from stout to round to thin. And the results are rarely flattering.
Savvy short shoppers often find a brand, oftentimes from a particular designer, that consistently suits them. They do this because designer clothing is often built for a narrower variety of body types, and as a result accommodates those limited builds better than the one size made to fit all variety. Designer clothes generally cost a bit more, but carefully watching sales and knowing when and where to shop for your particular size can lead to savings that make buying higher end clothing affordable.
Finally, have a trusted tailor who you can take your clothing to. Ensure he has an understanding of proportion and the needs of your body type, and you’ll find the adjustments he makes can transform your look more than any of the other tips in this article. It’s relatively inexpensive to have sleeves or cuffs shortened; more complicated work like having your trousers slimmed or jacket torso tightened isn’t too expensive either. Having a jacket shortened, or adjusting shoulders on a shirt is often limited by proportion–but again these small adjustments will transform your look from dopey to dashing.
4. Smaller Proportions
Be aware that as a smaller man you won’t always want the exact same proportions in your clothes as other men. For example, it’s traditional to wear a sport coat or suit cut so that a half-inch or so of shirt cuff shows beyond the end of the sleeve. A shorter man, however, wants to pair shirts and jackets so that there’s less of a broad band–as little as a quarter-inch. A sliver of cloth color down around the wrists will look more proportional on shorter arms than ¾ of an inch.
The parts of your clothing that fold over one another contribute a lot to your visual effect. On your upper body, that usually means the shirt collar and the jacket lapel, if a jacket is worn. Try to keep both of those on the narrower side–though be cautious with lapels; jackets with very broad or very wide lapels run the risk of looking dated, depending on when that particular extreme was in fashion.
Collars with shorter points that aim downward help as well. Stay away from anything with an extreme spread (more than 120 degrees) or longer collar points (2.5+ inches), especially when the collar points are angled dramatically outward.
Your necktie should be on the slimmer side as well, particularly if you have a smaller torso; if your torso is very broad, a narrow tie may start to look undersized. However, this is a better problem than overemphasizing the latter.
It may seem like splitting hairs to recommend narrower collar spreads, shorter trouser cuffs (or no cuffs at all), 2 or 1 button jackets, thinner lapels, and pockets closer together on a jacket. But when you start combining all the usual elements of a piece of clothing in smaller proportions, the effects add up. A small difference here, a small improvement there–next thing you know you have a significantly improved look.
Most of these details are things that different companies do in their own style–you don’t need lots of expensive tailoring, just the patience to figure out which brands have the smaller, more vertically-tilted details that work best for you.
5. Wear Attention Grabbing Details Up High
You can keep attention moving up from your feet toward your head by weighting the brightest details at the top of your body. A pocket square or a brightly-colored tie help guide the eye’s motion upward. Just be careful of adding too much clutter all at once. A bright lapel pin on its own is helpful–worn at the same time as a patterned tie and a pocket square, it edges into the distracting category. More casual outfits can utilize details such as epaulets on a shirt’s shoulders or a contrast inner collar on a dress shirt.
Resist the temptation to add a few inches with a hat unless you regularly wear one–if not worn naturally or with confidence it can backfire on the wearer. Some even argue that the visual effect is actually shortening–a hat puts a “lid” on your body and stops the viewer’s gaze dead. I have seen it work both ways. Again, this is an attention-getting detail that takes confidence, practice, and the knowledge of which hat compliments you.
Always keep it simple, vertically-oriented, and limited to one or two extras at most.
6. Wear the Right Clothing
Wear a Jacket – Wearing a sport jacket or suit jacket builds up the shoulders–taller and more pronounced shoulders emphasize height. Use this to your advantage every chance you can and match the jacket with either trousers of the same fabric (suit) or trousers of a similar shade (sport jacket). Again–know how to buy the right type of suit for maximizing height by following the guidelines in this article.
Trousers at the Waist – Shorter men benefit from a longer leg line, and you get a longer trouser leg by wearing the waistband higher. Wear your pants at the natural waist rather than down on the hips which only makes your legs look stubby. Trousers at the natural waist don’t need a belt cinched tight the way that they do on the hips, which helps your middle from looking distractingly pinched. For the best effect, wear trousers without belt loops and use suspenders.
Avoid Shorts and Short-Sleeved Shirts – Short men are short because their limbs are smaller than those of their tall counterparts. Wearing clothing that draws attention to your limbs, especially if you’re big or built, makes you look shorter because your limbs are proportionally more compact. Although not always practical–especially in the summer–a man on the short side should consider linen trousers and lightweight long sleeve shirts he can roll up on the forearm. A classier look that helps create a streamlined appearance.
7. Physically Add Height
Playing around with patterns and collar sizes and details are all good ways to make a combined impression of extra height. But what if you actually want to add real height?
It’s doable. But remember to do this in moderation. Some short men find it useful to wear a heeled shoe, and there are definitely styles that look fine with a half-inch or so of heel on them, but know what you’re buying. Manufacturers that advertise specifically as “for short men” are often slapping chunky heels on styles meant to be worn with a more moderate heel, and the result is eye-catching and tacky. Stick to black pumps for a formal look or heeled boots in more casual situations. And always avoid athletic shoes or regular dress shoes that come with an exaggerated heel–you’ll just end up tripping.
Heel inserts are a matter of personal preference. They add height but can be uncomfortable, and it can be embarrassing to have to take your shoes off in public if you have inserts. Definitely don’t wear them with an already thick-heeled shoe–you’ll end up tilted forward like a woman in high heels.
8. Shop Internationally
Mass manufactured clothing is made for specific regions based off taste and average target customer size. As such, American clothing is big; however, there are regions outside the ole USA that make clothing for a smaller demographic. Think Japan & Italy–two countries where style is at the forefront and clothing is manufactured for a man who is much smaller than the average American frame.
The internet has made it possible to get clothing from overseas without a trip yourself–the downside is that international shipping isn’t always cheap and many of the best online stores in Italy or Japan do not have an English storefront. Google translate helps–but it doesn’t translate size, especially when you’re trying to figure out what equals what–inches to centimeters, and then you have to account for brand variation! If you go this route, try to work with a merchant with excellent customer service or a website that gives you exact measurements of the garment you’ll be sent. Start slowly, ensure you get the fit right, and then buy in bulk to save on the shipping!
Ideally though, you’d be able to travel to the country and find the deals yourself, getting a closet full of great clothes and a memorable experience.
9. Visit the Young Man’s Department
There is great clothing to be found in the “Youth” section of stores. Some styles obviously won’t work on an adult, but there’s a good number of clothing manufacturers who make scaled-down versions of perfectly presentable adult outfits.
The biggest challenge of the Youth/Boys department may turn out to be fit in the chest and stomach. Most adult men wearing youth sizes need an XL or a L, which have recently started to be made looser and looser. “XL” for a child carries an expectation of weight as well as height, which wasn’t as true ten or fifteen years ago–you may need to seek out long-established and more old-fashioned manufacturers to find youth-sized clothing that’s long enough for a short adult and also not cut for a very heavyset kid.
An added bonus is that these clothes are oftentimes value priced. If you’re small enough to fit clothing marketed for children and young adults, it’s worth the minor hit to the pride to browse the children’s section of a few high-quality clothing or department stores.
10. Go Custom or Buy from a Specialty Store
Seeking out a custom men’s clothier or short clothing specialist who can help optimize your look is an option many men take. They realize a second set of eyes and years of experience dealing with hundreds of men with similar problems gives a clothier expert status; the best study their craft and can build entire wardrobes for their clients that not only make them look taller but are interchangeable and functional for maximum wear.
Finally, keep your look natural. By this I mean you have to be comfortable in your clothing – wear IT, don’t let it wear YOU. There are a lot of tips in this post…DO NOT implement all of them into a single outfit. Instead pick a few and apply them in moderation over the next few months. Keep the ones that work, discard the tips that don’t.
And remember that being a sharp dressed man is all about confidence. Know who you are and have fun expressing that individuality with your personal style.
Men's Clothing for Short and Small Guys
IntroductionIt can be a challenge to find clothing for guys who are shorter or who have a smaller build. If you happen to live in an area that serves populations of shorter men (this is not uncommon in large cities), your choices might be plentiful. But if not, you might need to do some extra research and/or order clothing through mail order or the internet.
This section includes contact information for companies that specialize in clothing for shorter men, as well as hints for finding smaller sizes in popular chain department stores, clothing stores, and internet sites.
Finding your measurements
Most men's clothing (unlike women's) tends to be sized according to your physical measurements, including waist size and inseam length for pants or chest size, sleeve length, and neck size for shirts.
You can have your measurements taken at a menswear store (this is especially recommended when you are shopping for a suit), or you can measure yourself at home with a cloth tape measure and the help of a friend.
Take your measurements while undressed or in lightweight clothing. For best results, have a friend take the measurements. Stand up straight when measuring, and keep the tape measure snug but not tight. For clothing sold in the U.S., measurements should be taken in inches.
Sleeve length measurement: Relax your arm, and place your hand on your hip with your elbow at a 90-degree angle. Start at the middle of the back of your neck, measure over your shoulder and elbow, and down your arm to your wrist bone. Or, take a shirt that fits you very well, fold at the elbow to 90 degrees, and measure from the middle back of the collar to the cuff.
Neck measurement: Measure just above the base of the neck, placing two fingers between your neck and the tape measure. Or, take a shirt that fits your neck very well and measure from the center of the button to the far end of the buttonhole. Neck measurements are recorded in half-inch increments; if you are between measurements, round up to the nearest half-inch (example: of your neck measures 16.25", round up to 16.5"). Remember that when you are wearing a dress shirt, you should always be able to slip an index finger comfortably into your collar when the shirt is buttoned all the way to the top. This ensures that the collar will not be too tight.
Chest measurement: Measure around your chest just under your arms, around the fullest part of your chest and shoulder blades. If you have not had chest surgery and are binding, take your chest measurement while wearing the binder you would normally wear, and then measure around the fullest part of the chest.
Waist measurement: Measure around where you normally wear the waist of your pants, keeping the tape measure a bit loose or putting one finger between your body and the tape measure. For suit pants, the waist is measured higher up than you would measure for a pair or jeans or chinos, as suit pants are to be worn higher. See the chapter "Suits and Ties for the Beginner" on this web site for more information on suit measurements and sizing.
Inseam measurement: Measure from your crotch to your ankle, or to the place on your leg or foot that you want your pants to rest while you are standing. It helps to wear shoes for this measurement, so you can get an idea of where you want the pants to fall over your shoes. You can also take a pair of good fitting pants, and measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the pants.
A note about testosterone and clothing size
If you are in the beginning stages of testosterone therapy, remember that your body shape can change pretty dramatically during the first year or so, due to fat redistribution and increased muscle mass. Your shoulders and neck might get wider, your hips and butt narrower, and your belly bigger.
Even though it might be tempting for the newly transitioning man to rush out and buy a new wardrobe, it may not be wise to invest a great deal of money in clothing that might not fit in a few months. You may want to buy only a few new items as you need them, or look into used clothing as your body transitions.
If you know other trans men in your area or through internet communities, you could try "handing down" or exchanging clothing, as many trans men go through a few size changes during transition.
Tips on sizing and fit
Sizing in pantsMeasurements on men's pants are usually listed with the waist measurement first, followed by the inseam measurement. So a 30x32 jean would have a 30-inch waist and a 32-inch inseam.
The "rise" on a pair of pants or jeans refers to the distance between the crotch and the waist. For shorter men, the rise of standard cut pants is often too long, causing the crotch to hang too low, or causing the wearer to have to pull the pants up too high on his waistline. Pants that are made especially for short men tend to have a shorter rise that is in proportion to the rest of the measurements. The rise will vary among different brands and styles, so be sure to try on pants to make sure they look good on your particular body shape.
Some of the "low rise" jeans styles available at stores that carry shorter inseams (see jeans listings below) might be worth a try to see if the shorter rise flatters your body type. What is a very "low rise" on a taller guy might look perfect on a shorter guy (if he can find a short enough inseam or have the pants hemmed).
Sizing in shirts
Most men's shirts that are simply labeled "small" (but don't necessarily have specific measurements listed on the package or label) usually are around the ballpark of a 14-14.5 inch collar, a 34-36 inch chest, and a "regular" sleeve length of 32-33 inches. "Short" sleeve lengths of 30-31 are sometimes available. Of course, the exact measurements of a men's size "small" will vary among manufacturers-- you might find that some brands of small are larger or cut differently than others.
Men's dress shirts will be typically be sized with specific measurements for neck circumference and sleeve length, with the neck measurement listed first. The chest/waist size ratio of most dress shirts is determined by the manufacturer to be in proportion to the neck size. This can be a challenge in fitting for guys who are short and heavy. Dress shirts can be found in "regular" fit, as well as "athletic" or "trim" fit (with a slight taper toward the waist, for those with broader shoulders and a thin waistline) and "full cut" for those who need a little more room around the middle.
Getting the right fit
Keep in mind that some stores may have their own special fit charts and size tips. This is particularly good to check when shopping online or through catalogs. It's always a good idea to consult sizing charts, ask questions if you are unsure, and find out the return policy in case something doesn't fit as you hoped.
Clothes are designed with different cuts and styles that flatter some body types and not others-- just because a shirt or pair of pants is made with your measurements doesn't mean it is going to look good on you! Try clothes on to be sure. This is especially true if you are trying to find clothes to take emphasis away from wide hips or narrow shoulders. See the next section on style tips for short men for specific tips on fitting short men.
Finally, don't forget the option of alterations by a tailor or by someone you know with sewing skills. If you are just a little shorter than the average sized pant length available in your area, pants can be easily hemmed to the correct length. Sleeves can also be shortened, though for a good dress shirt you might want to check a short man's specialty store to obtain a better overall fit.
Finding smaller sizes
Once you have your measurements in hand, check your local yellow pages and call around to see what stores carry clothing in your size. Don't be afraid to ask about smaller sizes! Sometimes the shirt or pants you want are available in a smaller size and simply need to be ordered for you.Shopping in the youth/boy's department
Some smaller men can find clothing--especially casual items such as t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, athletic wear, etc .-- in youth/boy's departments. A youth size shirt in Large (14-16) or XL (18-20) might fit a small man perfectly. Also, the sleeve length on boys' shirts tends to be shorter, which may fit better on some.
The boy's department is also a good place to look for accessories such as socks, belts, winter gloves and hats, and baseball caps.
One word of caution: sometimes items in the boy's department are not made with the same quality and durability as men's clothing, though on the upside they are often less expensive than men's clothing. For high-quality shirts and accessories, you will be better off trying a short men's specialty store.
Shirts
The Gap carries shirts in extra-small men's sizes (this includes t-shirts, button-down shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, sweaters, etc.). J Crew also carries extra small sizes in a number of their shirt styles, including t-shirts, polos, and some long-sleeve button downs. American Eagle Outfitters features extra-small sizes in t-shirts, button-downs, polos, rugbys, henleys, and hooded sweatshirts. Old Navy no longer carries extra-small men's shirts, but they do carry a XXL in boy's shirts that may fit some smaller men. Individual retail stores may not stock extra-small at all times, but a wider range of sizes is usually available online. Some stores will special order items for you in extra small, or they may refer you to their web site.
American Apparel makes t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, jackets, collared shirts, and tank tops in extra-small sizes-- some styles even come in XXS. The company also offers organic cotton clothing options for those who are looking for environmentally sustainable products. Zappos .com is now selling clothing in addition to shoes. Their search engine allows you to sort by size (down to XS) in numerous product categories, including eco-friendly clothing. They offer a large number of items, ranging from casual to designer shirts. Not everything is available in XS, but there is a large variety available in small sizes. They offer a 365 day return policy and free return shipping.
Bluefly.com is an online clothing store that features a size-specific search engine with over 350 different brands of clothing at discounted prices (between 25%-75% off). They list extra-small sizes in casual shirts, t-shirts, and dress shirts for men. The prices can vary tremendously (from $15 to $200) depending on the brand and the discount, but you can usually find some good deals. Their search engines for jeans, pants, and belts also run in very small sizes. To shop by size, choose the type of clothing you are looking for (such as "shirts-- casual") from the "shop by category" menu.
Another online menswear store that features a search engine with smaller sizes is Hugestore.com. Their search engine allows you to specify the type of shirt you are looking for by size as well as color, collar type, and fabric.
Paul Frederick Men Style (www.paulfredrick.com) makes quality dress shirts in short sizes, and they periodically feature clearance items, searchable by size.
Lands End features a custom-made clothing option on their web site (www.landsend.com). They offer custom dress shirts in solids and patterns, dress pants, chinos, and jeans.
RustyZipper.com is an online vintage clothing store with a wide variety of clothing ranging from the 1940s through the 1980s. Their selection is large and varied, and they have a keyword search that can be narrowed by size, including extra small and small sizes. They often have extra small shirts and jackets in varying styles. Photos can be enlarged to view the quality of the items, and they have a fair returns policy if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
If you simply need a regular size "small" shirt, but live in an area where stores usually only stock men's mediums, the abovementioned resources should also prove helpful to you. In addition to the companies listed above, there are a number of retail web sites that feature small sized shirts for most of their inventory, including Lands End, JCPenney , Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, Fossil, Nordstrom, and Macy's, to name a few. Target (www.target.com) also carries small sizes in some (but not all) of their inventory, as does Kohl's and Sear.
Jeans and casual pants
The Gap and Old Navy carry various styles of jeans and pants with waist sizes down to 28 inches and inseam lengths down to 28 inches. You may need to check their web sites to get the specific pants you want, but most of their styles are available down to 28 x 28. L.L. Bean makes inseam sizes for their jeans down to 29 inches. American Eagle Outfitters jeans run down to 26 x 28, but they don't offer larger waist sizes paired with short inseams.
Levi's makes jeans in their popular 501, 505, and 550 styles down to 28- and 29-inch waist and 30-inch inseam in men's. They also make "student", boys, and husky boy's sizes (in 569, 550 and 501) that are available in a range of waist sizes with shorter inseams. The "Husky" sizes are good for those guys who are short and heavyset-- they feature larger waist sizes with short inseams. Levi's are available at department stores such as JCPenney, Sears, and Macy's, and online at numerous web sites www.denimexpress.com features a variety of youth and boy's sizes). Ebay www.ebay.com is also a good place to check for affordably priced Levi's in men's and student sizes.
Eddie Bauer www.eddiebauer.comfeatures their Classic, Relaxed, and and Loose fit jeans styles in specially-designed short sizes. Waist size can be chosen down to 30 inches, and inseam can be chosen in quarter inch increments between 20 and 29 inches. They also feature numerous styles of casual and dress pants that go down to a 27 inch inseam. Their special "short" jeans styles are available online only.
Land's End www.landsend.com makes some of their jeans and pants down to a 28- and 29-inch inseams, as well as offering custom-hemmed jeans and pants via their web site that can be made in shorter inseams.
Bluefly.com www.bluefly.com features a size-specific search engine for jeans (the site is described above in the "Shirts" section). Bluefly.com's search engine for jeans and pants allows you to search down to 26-inch waist size. To shop by waist size, choose "pants" from the "shop by category" menu.
RustyZipper.com www.rustyzipper.com is a quality online vintage clothing store with a wide variety of clothing ranging from the 1940s through the 1980s. Their selection is large and varied, and they have a keyword search that can be narrowed by size, including extra small and small sizes. They often have pants with short inseams. Photos can be enlarged to view the quality of the items, and they have a fair returns policy if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
UJeans www.ujeans.com makes custom jeans to order using information provided by the customer (they do both men's and women's jeans). You choose the style features you want in your jeans (i.e., pocket, leg, rise, fit, belt loop, etc.) and the fabric type and the color/wash. Then you provide 11 body measurements, and your jeans are made to order. Delivery takes about 5 to 7 weeks. UJeans uses natural washes and dyes to provide the coloring to their jeans so that they have a minimal impact on the environment when safely disposed. Their denim is sourced from sustainable growth cotton, and their packaging is made from reclaimed material.
True Jeans is a unique site that suggests a variety of designer jeans styles based on your specific measurements and body type. To use the site, you set up an account including your measurements (waist, hips, thigh, inseam) and body features (height, weight, belly type, seat type, thigh type), as well as your styling preferences (i.e., loose-fitting or tight, low rise or high, brands you like, etc.). The site then chooses styles and brands to match your data. Please note: many of the jeans on this site have longer inseams than optimal for short men, but True Jeans offers a hemming service for an additional $15.00. The styles featured are mostly higher-end designer jeans, but there are also sale items, and your results can be sorted by price.
See also the "Work gear" section below for other alternatives in pants.
Work gear
Sears carries a line of rugged work clothing called "WorkWear," which is available in-store and on their web site www.searsworkwear.com. Their men's plain front work pants run as small as 28x26, and they have a full range of small sizes in a variety of colors. They also carry long- and short-sleeved work shirts in small sizes in a variety of colors. The Sears WorkWear line is quite affordable, and varied in its styles and selection.
Uniforms Manufacturing Inc. www.unifmfg.com stocks a wide variety of work shirts, pants, coveralls, and jackets in numerous colors and sizes. They carry a basic Ike jacket (with or without liner) in extra small, and they carry short sized coveralls.
Aramark www.aramark-uniform.com features a "rugged workwear" department with work pants measuring down to 28x26, and heavy-duty work shirts in extra-small sizes.
The Coverall Store www.coverallstore.com is another online retailer featuring selections of work shirts, pants, and coveralls in small and short inseam sizes.
Dickies www.dickies.com brand makes their traditional work pants in sizes down to 26x28, though their matching work shirts do not come in extra-small. Dickies also makes a 28-inch (short) inseam coverall. Dickies are available in many retail outlets, though you may have to order online to find their smaller sizes.
Suits
For suits and quality dress shirts, check the listings below in the "Specialty/custom stores for shorter men" section, as many of those retailers will provide the best choices for men of small stature. You might also try the Men's Wearhouse www.menswearhouse.com, as they do carry some suits in short and extra-short sizes, though their stock will vary from location to location.
If you are new to buying suits, you may also want to read the chapter on this web site called "Suits and Ties for the Beginner," which goes over the basic points of suit quality and fit, as well as providing advice on how to buy a suit.
Ties
Most men's neckties are proportioned (in both length and width) to fit average-height or taller men. Typical sizes are between 58 and 60 inches in length and about 4 inches in width. Smaller ties can sometimes be found in the boy's department, or at retailers who specialize in clothing for shorter men.
J. Raffiani www.jraffiani.com is an online store that specializes in neckties for men 5' 8" and under. The ties featured on the J. Raffiani site are specially tailored to be 54 inches in length, as well as slightly narrower than your average tie, to be better proportioned for shorter men. There are many styles to choose from on the site, and all ties featured are handmade from 100% Italian silk.
Socks
Most men's socks are made to fit shoe sizes 7 and up. If you wear smaller than a men's size 7, you'll probably need to shop in the boy's department or in a short men's specialty shop.
For white athletic socks, try Fruit of the Loom boy's crew socks (they usually come in a 6-pack), or Gold Toe brand boy's athletic socks. Both of these brands are commonly available in department stores and discount retailers.
For dress and casual socks, Gold Toe brand boy's socks www.goldtoe.com are of good quality; they can be found in many department stores or ordered directly from Gold Toe's web site. The Gap and Old Navy both carry kid's socks; the Gap's come in white, navy, and tan. Size large in both brands will fit shoe sizes 3-4, and size extra-large fits shoe sizes 5-6.
Belts
Your belt size is usually 2 inches more than your waist size (example: if you have a 28-inch waist, you would choose a 30-inch belt).
The Gap stocks a classic leather belt in both brown and black that runs down to 28 inches. Numerous other retailers stock leather belts in 30-inch sizes on their web sites, including Banana Republic, JCrew, and L.L. Bean, to name a few. Call ahead if you are visiting one of their retail outlets to see if they have the size and color you need in stock.
Bluefly.com www.bluefly.com has a search engine for belts that allows you to search for sizes as low as 28 inches. To shop by size, choose a "belts" from the "shop by category" menu. This site features high quality leather designer belts at extremely good discounts.
Another online retailer with a searchable option for belts is Hugestore.com www.hugestore.com. Their belt search begins at 28 inches.
Belts found in the boy's department sometimes lack the same quality as a good men's belt, but boy's belts made by Levi's are of good quality, and can be found in many major department stores.
Style tips for short men
If you are a short man who wishes to appear taller, the overall goal is to choose clothing that makes the body appear longer. This is done, in part, by creating a straight, streamlined silhouette. In general, clothing should not be baggy or otherwise ill-fitting; you want to create a clean "straight up-and-down" line with little interruptions, as this adds the illusion of length.
Another problem with baggy and ill-fitting clothing on a shorter man is that it ends up making you look like you are swimming in your clothes, as though you borrowed them from your larger brother or uncle. Of course, this also tends to make you look shorter as well.
Pants
For all pants, including jeans, make sure your pants are hemmed to the proper length so that they break only slightly. The term "break" refers to where your pants fall on your shoes, creating a horizontal crease in the fabric across the front of your pant leg. If the break comes too high or is not defined enough, your pants will look too short when you stand or walk. If the break is too low, there will be a lot of excess fabric around your ankles, and your pants will look oversized-- this can especially be a problem for shorter men. A slight/short break is the best choice for shorter men. If you also happen to have smaller feet, a slight break will keep your pants from "drowning" your shoes. Jeans can break slightly lower than dress pants-- but one should still avoid lots of excess material around the ankles.
Cuffing jeans or other pants makes the legs appear shorter-- have your pants hemmed to the proper length as described above. Avoid white or light-colored shoes with jeans, as this breaks the overall line of the leg.
As mentioned in the "sizing in pants" section above, another thing to consider when choosing pants is the "rise"-- the distance between the crotch and the waist. If the crotch of your pants hangs too low, the legs will again appear shorter, and the area around your seat and crotch will look odd or boxy. Look for low-rise (or short-sized) jeans, or have a tailor alter the crotch of dress pants if it is too long.
In dress pants and khakis, pleats should be avoided, especially deep pleats. Flowing, full-cut dress or suit pants should also be avoided. Pleats can take away from your clean vertical line, and bagginess in pants can make you look like you're drowning in too-big clothing. When possible, it is generally better to stick to flat front pants and avoid lots of extra material.
In general, baggy jeans should also be avoided. Very baggy jeans will tend to make you look like you are drowning in them, making you look smaller. This is not to say that you should wear ultra-tight jeans, but rather that when observing fashion trends, keep overall proportion in mind, and remember that certain cuts of clothing may suit your better than others. If you do choose a relaxed or baggier cut, be sure it fits you well and is proportioned for your frame to begin with (i.e., proper rise and inseam length).
Shirts
Try to find shirts that are hemmed to rest only and inch or two below the waistline of your pants; if your shirts are longer than this, tuck them in to avoid giving the appearance of short legs. In general, button front dress shirts should always be tucked in for the same reason (in addition to the fact that it is a tidier look). Keep in mind that a tailor can alter the hem length of shirts in addition to the sleeve length for a better fit.
Avoid very baggy shirts, or shirts that puff out when you tuck them in. Look for shirts with higher armholes (to avoid extra material under the arms) and that fit properly-- neither baggy nor clinging to your torso.
Shirts and jackets with vertical stripes can add height to your look. Choose vertical stripes that are on the thinner side-- too wide and you may start to look squat, or the pattern may overpower you.
On casual shirts, a lower collar can make your neck appear longer (for example, on a polo shirt). A V-neck t-shirt can also have the effect of making your neck seem longer.
Suits
When choosing a suit, request a "short" cut-- short-sized suits are proportioned better for shorter men. Short men's specialty stores will stock a larger selection of short suits than your average men's clothing store.
Adding a slight taper at the waist of the suit jacket can create a longer look for the legs. A two-button jacket with a relatively low stance that shows more of the tie will make the upper body appear longer. Very subtle pinstripes can emphasize length, but avoid any strong pattern that will overpower.
For suit pants, avoid cuffs; the goal is to create long lines, and cuffs interrupt the line. As with all pants, make sure the rise on your suit pants is short enough, and avoid pleats and excessive bagginess. Keep your pants streamlined, like the rest of your silhouette.
Match the color of your belt and shoes to your pants for an even longer look-- a monochromatic color scheme creates an uninterrupted line.
Ties
Most men's neckties are proportioned (in both length and width) to fit average-height or taller men. Typical sizes are between 58 and 60 inches in length and about 4 inches in width.
For shorter men, a tie of length of 54" to 56" usually fits well. A narrower tie width also usually looks more proportional on a short man-- too wide a tie ends up making a short man appear smaller and stout. Look for ties that are between 2.5" to 3.25" wide at their widest point.
Source: www.ftmguide.org and www.artofmanliness.com
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