STYLE ADVICE

Suiting tips for short guys

By Gavin Jewkes, 24 April 2015

For those of us on the shorter end of the height scale, there are a variety of issues to contend with. Most notably, the seemingly unending saga of suits that fit poorly or make us look like we’re more compact than we actually are.

So we’ve decided to put an end to this sartorial misery with a few easy-to-follow suiting tips and recommendations for the shorter man, which are worth bearing in mind for anyone heading to a wedding or somewhere swanky this summer.

Picture: Getty

Stand tall in a skinny suit

Regardless of your size or shape, the key to looking good is buying clothes that fit well. For men who want to create the illusion of a taller frame, bear in mind that a baggy suit exaggerates your proportions and can end up making you look as wide as you are tall. Craft a leaner, elongated silhouette by opting for a skinny or slim-fitting suit, which sits close to the body and balances your proportions.

Crop it

Keep your trousers neat, narrow and, most importantly, slightly cropped. A pair of suit trousers that finishes too high up will cut your legs off at an unflattering spot, making them appear shorter and chunkier. But subtle turn-ups or a crop that hits a few centimetres above the ankle is a good way of lengthening the appearance of your legs, because this is your slimmest point and the eye will be drawn to it.

Go vertical

Vertical stripes are the vertically challenged man’s best friend. They help create the illusion of a longer body and draw the eye up towards to the face (which is, handily, your tallest point).

Get it tailored...

If you’re feeling flush, it’s always worth getting your suit tailored. Not only will it fit like a glove, but tailors know how to complement your frame. With suit trousers, for instance, shaving a few centimetres off the bottom can completely alter the shape of them – a good tailor will know how to counteract this and maintain their intended shape.