Odds are that if you're reading this article, it's because you are dissatisfied with your height. Don't be offended; I would have liked to be a few inches taller as well, but unfortunately, we have no control over how tall we will be - or at least not yet. Until we do, short men will continue to have a slight disadvantage in the fashion world, in terms of finding threads that fit properly. Few manufacturers make clothes for men who are shorter than 5-foot-5.
But if you've ever seen pictures of Tom Cruise, Kit Harrington or Bruno Mars, or other well-known short guys, then you've probably marveled about how they don't look short. Part of it is, unfortunately, because of tricks camera lenses play. But a bigger part of it is following key fashion advice.
It's true that at TallMenShoes.com, we focus on offering Elevator Shoes that are fashionable and stylish while subtly adding anywhere from two to five inches to your height, but shoes are only one part of a wardrobe. I'm here to help you find the clothes that fit right and make you look taller in the process.
1. Wear vertical stripes. Anything that elongates your height is a good thing. For example, vertical stripes in clothing can help extend the look of your shorter body. Patterns such as pinstripe, chalk stripe and herringbone also offer a vertical effect. Note: steer clear of plaid and checkered shirts.
2. Wear one color. Wearing a shirt and pants in the same color will prevent obvious breaks in your natural frame, and as a result can give the illusion that you're taller.
3. Opt for dark shades & light fabrics. In addition, dark colors, especially black, tend to have a slimming effect and help shorter men seem more elongated. The same applies to light or medium-weight fabrics. Heavier fabrics, on the other hand, tend to make you look bulkier and shorter.
4. A proper fit is key. Remember that it's important that your clothes fit flawlessly. Looser garments can make you look stumpy, so opt for a fit that is trim rather than baggy.
The clothes that'll do the trick...
Shoes
One way to elevate your stature is by wearing height-increasing footwear or apparatuses such as lifts, thicker insoles,Elevator Shoes, and shoes with thicker soles. These can all easily add a few inches to your height.
This is what we're best suited to offer you at TallMenShoes.com. For more than 20 years, we've been at the forefront of shoe trends and fashion and earned more than 20,000 positive reviews for our successful combination of lift and look. When you browse through our lines of CALDEN, CALTO and TOTO shoes for short guys, you'll be amazed at the variety of looks and styles you can find, from timeless classics to trendy eye-catchers. You'll love the way you feel wearing a pair of our height-increasing shoes.
Shopping tip: When shopping for shoes, try sticking to bulkier styles so that your feet don't look too small.
Jackets and Sweaters
Avoid wearing blazers and cardigans with more than three buttons because they will draw unwanted attention to your shorter upper body. Also, make sure that your blazers and jackets fall slightly below your buttocks, as this will make your body look slightly more elongated. While you should try to avoid double-breasted suits, if you do choose to wear one, do up all the buttons (including the lower ones), because this will give you a longer look.
Also, when wearing a sports jacket, make sure there's as little contrast between your jacket and trousers as possible, to maintain the natural vertical lines. Center and side vents also add the effect of a prolonged vertical line.
Shirts and Other Types of Sweaters
In terms of sweaters and T-shirts, V-necks can help make your torso look longer. Turtlenecks, on the other hand, can make you look stumpy, as they conceal your neck.
Look for form-fitting shirts in order to avoid excess fabric when tucking them in and opt for point collars instead of spreads. Finally, keep in mind that tucking in your shirt can place the emphasis on your legs and torso, which might make you look shorter.
Shopping tip: Shortening the length of a shirt is generally easier than reducing the length of its sleeves, so make sure the shirt fits properly around your shoulders and body, first and foremost. If it does, then you can have the overall length and the sleeves adjusted.
Pants
Do not wear your pants too high! You should wear them just above your hips. Also, avoid wearing low-rise pants (even if they are the trendier alternative), because they tend to make legs look shorter than they already are.
Furthermore, avoid any kind of puckering around the hips, from tucking in your shirts or having full pockets, because it will make you look wider and hence, shorter.
Your trousers should break on your shoes slightly more than average, to help make your legs look longer by covering your socks properly.
It's also suggested to shun cuffs altogether. If you do decide to wear them, have your tailor hem them slightly narrower than normal (that is, 1¼ inches instead of the usual 1½ to 2 inches). Finally, keep in mind that pants with no pleats or a single pleat are more flattering than multiple pleats.
Shopping tip: If you can't find any pants that fit properly, you can always have them custom-made or visit a specialty store near you.
Accessories
When it comes to accessories, shorter men should avoid bow ties. Instead, they should wear narrower ties; solid, and regimental and diagonal patterns work best. Also, choose the less intrusive four-in-hand knot over the bulkier Windsor variety.
When buying a belt, remember that you can have it adjusted to any length by simply adding more holes. A belt that doesn't have holes is even easier, because it's fully adjustable for a perfect fit.
Finally, keep in mind that suspenders can emphasize your natural vertical line, so avoid them.
Shopping tip: Again, you can find many stylish accessories in special catalogs, at local specialty stores, or in the boys' section of larger department stores. If you're having trouble finding socks that fit, you can always give the socks in the women's department a try.
