There’s no denying it. If you’re a shorter man, you will most likely not be able to simply stroll into a store and pick well-fitting, completely flattering clothes right off the rack. And fit is even more crucial for you when it comes to workwear. But lucky for you, we have some fool-proof style tips that will ensure you look stylish and well put-together, without accentuating your height.

What to look for:

• Vertical patterns – Vertical patterns in menswear function much the same as they do in women’s clothes. Lines running vertically draw the eye length-wise, whereas horizontal stripes draw the eye much lower and concentrated around the midsection. Therefore vertical lines and patterns will help you appear taller and leaner, while horizontal ones can make you appear shorter and wider. Not a good look for anyone. So, thin, vertical lines as found on pieces like this and this will help to trick the eye and elongate your figure.
• Smaller prints – Perhaps you thought that, being shorter of stature, larger, bold prints could camouflage your height, or maybe you believed it best for you to avoid prints altogether. But would be incorrect. In your case, a big, bold print will visually break up the line you are trying to create of a longer silhouette. However, a small, repeated print, like this, this, this, or this, can almost adopt the feel of being a solid color, and the small, repeated pattern gives the eye no single place to fall specifically.
• Tailoring – Yes, there is no way around it. You will need to find a good tailor for some overall structuring on your off-the-rack clothes. At the very least, you will need to get your pants hemmed. And trust us, this single tip will be worth its weight in gold. Clothes that fit well, particularly pants, will help to streamline your look and visually lengthen the appearance of your frame.
• Slim fits – When looking for slim fits, think trim, not “skinny.” A trim dress shirt will have slightly higher armholes, it will be cut close to the body through the chest, and there will not be a lot of excess material in the arms. A larger, looser fit immediately adds width and bulk that’s not there, and that means you will have to fight even harder to appear taller. If you have larger thighs or legs, opt for a “carrot cut,” which offers you a little more room at the thigh while still providing a tapered leg.
• Proportion – You know how kids look when they try on their parents shoes? Big shoes make them look even smaller, right? The same applies to your accessories, such as watches, belts and ties. Just as a bigger print only adds to break up the long line you are trying to create with your silhouette, so too will oversized accessories tend to make you look even shorter/smaller. Look for great ties like this, this, and this…belts like this and this…and watches with narrow straps and moderate face sizes, like this and this.

What to avoid:

Lastly, be sure to AVOID things like lifts in your shoes and double-breasted suits. Lifts and stacked heels are never subtle, and only tend to draw attention to the very thing you are wishing to camouflage. And as for double-breasted suits, though you may think the extra material will help to hide your height, it can actually visually “swallow” up your frame and make you look shorter and sloppier.

 

Image by Robert Sheie is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 (source: flickr)