Flattering Men’s Fashion: Short Guys
If the shows in Milan and New York are any indication, the height of men’s fashion is only for the tall, svelte and European. This presents a problem for vertically challenged who fall short of the Dolce & Gabbana height standard. A lack of height, however, is no reason to be stuck with a lack of style.
The secret to looking good in your clothes – no matter your height – is proportion. Once you have the right ratio of visual width to height, your outfit will look just right on you.
Vertical Action
One very useful trick in men’s fashion is to maintain as long a vertical line as possible, and to use styles that highlight your vertical dimensions. You give the suggestion that your body is slightly longer and leaner than it actually is.
Keeping that vertical visual line involves pieces like pants with some break, shirts that hit midway through your fly and jackets that are longer than the shirt underneath. Styles like these stay put and don’t ride up to show skin, meaning they preserve that visual line and flow seamlessly into each other. You don’t want bands of skin to interrupt that line. If you want to show skin, go all-out with shorts; otherwise, wear pants with enough break.
A vertical design like pinstripes will reinforce the verticality of your outfit. Although they are most often used on more gentlemanly ensembles like suits, these vertical patterns are also just as suitable for casual wear.
Fitting Fashion
Proportion is a crucial aspect of fashion, especially when you’re making up for a feature of your body that’s less than ideal. Deviating from the guidelines will complicate your problem and make it seem even direr than it really is.
Loose and baggy clothes look good on nobody, and short men are no exception. In fact, bunching and billowing fabric could even underline the issue because they draw the eye to everything you’re not – in this case, tall. Go for trimmer styles instead. Not only are they more flattering, but working in sync with the real proportions of your body mean that there’s less attention being drawn to your shortcomings.
Even neckties have gotten in on the act in recent years. From the one-size-fits-all mindset of the previous decades, today’s neckties and bow ties now come in a wide array of size combinations and scales to fit every man and style preference. You should work with the option now that it’s available, since even the smallest details contribute to the effect.
Small, Not Shy
Another style strategy for the vertically challenged is to use colorful style statements. Monochromes and bold colors create a very unique impression by themselves, drawing attention away from your height, or lack thereof.
It’s not very difficult to insert something bright and attention-seeking to even your daily work wardrobe. Slip on a fluorescent necktie, or don a bright shirt (but don’t do both at once). They’re subtle and office-appropriate, while at the same time achieving the effect. A monochrome (navy or black with white are easy to find) do the same thing, but in a slightly more formal way.
Using fashion to work with your shortcomings uses a lot of suggestions and illusions. Style is a visual game, and the right clothes will make others look at you exactly the way you intended.
Other Suggested Readings:
Tips for Large Tie Knots
Guide to The Perfect Tie Length
Your Mens-Ties.com Team