She Knows Best is proud to present to you Fashion Tips for Shorter Men, specifically Men 5′8 and Under. Thanks to Alan Au, Client Relations Director from of Jimmy Au’s for Men 5’8” and Under, we will learn excellent and practical tips on styling to focus more on style instead of the height.

Fashion Tips for Shorter Men after the fold… (this is a long one so grab a beer or wine, whichever you prefer)

Show your stripes… While some fashion designers are abandoning these vertical enhancements, if you want to look taller at work, you need to consider stripes. Choose stripes of a thinner variety like beaded or pinstripes. Choose stripes where the width between stripes best balances your frame. ¼” to ¾” should be sufficient. The wider you  frame, the wider the stripe option. Any wider than ¾” and you’ll begin to look squat. Stay away from thick or wide stripes like chalk stripes or alternating colored stripes. The lighter color will dominate causing the width to visually double and make you look squat.

When trying on your suit, take a good look close to the mirror to see if it flatters you, but don’t forget to stand about 5 to 10 feet away from the mirror to get a visual sense of what others will see in a more typical day to day situation. Remember, 5 to 10 feet in the mirror is really 10 to 20 feet away. Make sure you can see you in the suit and not just the suit. If only the suit looks good and not you in it, then pass.

The skinny on ties… Fashion designers are split in their fashion direction as far as tie widths go. Some are going much wider while others are going narrower. Go narrow. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s more proportioned for a shorter frame. Ties that are 2 ½” to 3 ¼” at its widest point should be enough. Anything that will add width to your midsection will make you look short, so stay away from the wide bib-looking ties. Narrower ties look more balanced and in effect, will make you look more proportioned; which in turn makes you look taller. Note that narrower is good enough. Unless you’re in the entertainment business, the 80’s skinny ties are probably more appropriate for social evenings or date nights, not the work week.

Wear a shirt, not a chute. The baggy shirt of the 90’s is an unwanted fashion statement when you are under 5’8” in 2008. Regular sized shirts tend to look baggier on a shorter frame. Choose more European inspired fits that are trimmer with higher armholes and slimmer bodies. The fullness makes you look like you’re wearing your older brother’s hand-me-downs. These trimmer cuts can easily be shortened to fit your body and arms. Fuller cuts require more work from a more skilled tailor.

Here comes the Hammer… Pants that is! Some designers are showing pleated, full cut dress pants again. Avoid at all costs. Stick to more traditional cuts, preferably in a flat front and in a short rise. I’m not saying you can’t wear pleated pants. Just not the ones that make you look like a b-movie sidekick that involves a genie. If you prefer a pleated pant because you have thick thighs or wide hips, stick to shallower pleats. You can have the extra width you need without having the extra depth you don’t. Proportion is key. Making sure you purchase a pant in a short rise greatly increases your chances of a proper fit.

The number one rule, no matter what the current fashion trend is… Have your clothes altered by a good tailor. This rule applies to men of all heights, but is definitely most important to us shorter guys. Because of our shorter stature, most everything is big on us, which makes us look even shorter. Make sure coat and shirt sleeves are the right length. Make sure coat bottoms are the right length. Make sure coat and shirt waists are the right width. Make sure pant hems aren’t too long and pant legs not too wide, nor the rise too long. Lastly, make sure your tie is not too wide.

Jimmy Au’s has been recently included in Forbe’s Top 10 Men’s Fashion Stores.

*Fashion Tips For Shorter Men from Alan Au,  Client Relations Director of Jimmy Au’s for Men 5’8” and Under.

*Images From Jimmy Au’s Press

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