Winston Churchill, Jon Stewart, James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe, Pablo Picasso. Fairly successful lot, wouldn't you agree? Between them they've saved the free world, both in movies and in real life, and defined modern art. If there were a Mount Rushmore of iconic 20th century figures, it's safe to say these guys would be on the short list. Short being the operative word here, because not one of them stands above 5'7". But clearly their small-ish stature didn't hinder them from achieving great things, and, if you're a bit on the shorter side, it shouldn't hinder you either, at least when it comes to style.
It's important to remember that just because you are short, that doesn't mean you have to look short. A lot about height has to do with perception, and your clothes are on the front lines as far as changing that perception. Sure, you could rock Cuban heels like 5' 6" Bono, but that look doesn't necessarily work for everybody. Or, you know, for anybody who isn't a famous rock star. But there are plenty of other tricks you can use, tricks that don't involve vertical stripes, or platform shoes. In the interest of maximizing your height, here are seven style tips that will help you look taller than your DNA intended:
1. Stick to a Monochrome Palette
Wearing a monochrome color scheme, where you contrast shades rather than colors, will streamline your look and help create an illusion of height. And the darker the better, although steer clear of all black, as it will actually make you look shorter. If you do mix colors, or even shades, keep the darker ones on the lower half of your body and the lighter ones up top. It will create a lengthening effect by drawing the eye upward.
2. Avoid Baggy, Low-Waisted Trousers
Sagging your pants may be in for the under-20 set, but that doesn't make it right. And that goes doubly so if you're short. You'll want to wear your trousers at your natural waistline in order to maximize your leg line. The appearance of longer legs is a major factor in looking taller. Also, make sure you go for a slimmer cut trouser with a smaller trouser rise (the distance from the middle of the crotch seam to the top of the waistband), as that will help make your legs look longer too.
3. A Blazer Is Your Best Friend
A fitted blazer or suit jacket will do a couple of things for you. First, it will help build up your shoulders, which adds height. Also, by keeping it buttoned, (listen to Tom Ford and always keep your jacket buttoned) it will create a slim silhouette that will make your chest look bigger and your waist look smaller, which will create both a slimming and heightening effect. Make sure your top button (on a two-button jacket) is above your navel to make your torso and legs look longer, and go with a shorter cut on the jacket.
4. Find a Good Tailor
A good tailor is a necessity no matter your height, but it's especially essential if you're short. Fit is everything when it comes to looking taller, and you'll need an expert to help you accentuate the right lines and hide the bad ones. Most off-the-rack men's clothing (at least with American brands) is designed a little boxier in order to fit as many body types as possible. So, if you don't have a good tailor, your clothes will likely be loose and loose clothes make you look shorter. Even worse, subconsciously people will think you're too small to buy clothes that fit. So get a good tailor and tell him you want to look slim and tall.
5. Make Sure Your Shirt Doesn't Pass Your Hipbone
If you're short and wearing a button down shirt, you should be tucking it in 90 percent of the time. It will give you a slimmer line and make your legs look longer. But, if you absolutely have to un-tuck, or are wearing a shirt designed to be un-tucked (like a T-shirt), make sure that the hem doesn't go past your hipbone. Anything longer and it will swallow you up and make your legs look stubby.
6. Don't Wear Short Sleeves
So much of what you wear creates an optical illusion, and one of the weirder ones is that short sleeves will shorten your arms. If your arms look short, so will the rest of you. Instead of a short-sleeved button down then, wear a long sleeved shirt and then cuff the sleeves. This will create an unimpeded line that will make your arms, and as a result your body, look longer.
7. Keep Accessories Simple
In order to appear taller you want the eyes of whoever's looking at you to sweep upward. The more someone's eyes sweep upward, the taller they'll register whatever it is they're looking at. And to maintain that upward sweep, avoid anything that will draw their attention below your chest. Steer clear of flashy shoes, flashy watches, and big belt buckles (actually, you should try to avoid belts altogether). And if you absolutely have to have some flair, maybe go with a hat or a bright pocket square. But just remember this mantra: The lower you go, the simpler, and darker, you should go, too.
Scott Christian
Scott Christian is a style writer based in Los Angeles. He’s contributed to Esquire since 2015, and is a fan of British tailoring, ‘80s New Wave, and cars that go really, really fast.
As someone deeply immersed in the world of style and fashion, I can attest to the significance of clothing in shaping perceptions, especially when it comes to height. The article you've presented touches upon a variety of style tips aimed at helping individuals appear taller, leveraging visual illusions created by clothing choices. Now, let's break down the concepts used in the article:
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Monochrome Palette: Wearing a monochrome color scheme involves choosing shades within the same color family. This creates a streamlined look and an illusion of height. The advice here is to go for darker shades, but avoid an all-black ensemble as it can have the opposite effect.
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Trousers and Leg Line: The article suggests avoiding baggy, low-waisted trousers. Instead, wearing trousers at the natural waistline is recommended to maximize the leg line and create the appearance of longer legs. A slimmer cut with a smaller trouser rise is also emphasized.
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Fitted Blazer or Suit Jacket: A fitted blazer or suit jacket is highlighted as a key element. It helps build up shoulders, adding height, and when buttoned, creates a slim silhouette that enhances the appearance of both chest and height. The importance of proper jacket length is also mentioned.
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Tailoring: The role of a good tailor is emphasized, especially for individuals of shorter stature. Tailoring ensures that clothing fits well and accentuates the right lines while hiding undesirable ones. Ill-fitting clothes, common in off-the-rack options, can make a person look shorter.
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Shirt Length: The article recommends tucking in button-down shirts most of the time to create a slimmer line and longer-looking legs. If untucked, the shirt's hem should not go past the hipbone to avoid making the legs appear stubby.
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Sleeve Length: Short sleeves are advised against, as they can create an optical illusion of shorter arms, affecting the overall perception of height. Instead, wearing long sleeves and cuffing them is suggested for an unimpeded line that elongates the arms and body.
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Simple Accessories: Accessories play a role in directing attention. To appear taller, the article suggests keeping accessories simple and avoiding anything that draws attention below the chest. Flashy items like shoes, watches, and belt buckles are discouraged, with a preference for simplicity, especially in darker tones.
By incorporating these style tips, individuals can manipulate perceptions and create an illusion of height through their clothing choices, as expertly outlined in the article.
