How To Look Taller
A short man’s style secrets to appear longer and leaner
Via Pinterest
Calling all short guys! We love you (hell, I’m one of you) but stop dressing like you’re 6’5” because the 25 inch inseam you’re rocking clearly says otherwise.
Here are my top tips to take you from a bridge troll to Tom Brady in the blink of an eye.
Tip #1
Tuck In Your Shirt & Wear Pants That Fit
What differentiates a tall man from a short man? Leg length. You weren't born with daddy long legs, either? Fake the appearance of long legs by manipulating your proportions. By tucking in your shirt, you visually trick the eye into thinking your legs are a larger segment of your body vs. your torso.
To up the length, I suggest opting for a regular rise or if you’re confident enough, a high rise. This will double down on the exaggerated proportion, creating a longer, leaner silhouette.
While we’re on the topic of fit, whatever you do, don’t wear drop crotch pants. They’re unflattering, uncool, and make you look short and stumpy. Sorry to burst your bubble but you’ll never look like the Japanese street fashion inspo you’re attempting to mimic. Trust me, I’ve tried for years and looked like a god damn fool.
Tip #2
Monochromatic 5ever
Not only do I love a monochromatic outfit for aesthetic reasons, I love the way a contrast-less outfit creates an elongated, streamlined appearance. By avoiding distinct color blocking by way of high contrast hues, the eye can seamlessly move up and down without certain parts of the body being cut into pieces.
Monochromatic doesn’t have to mean where the exact same color head to toe. I high recommend dark neutrals as they’re universally flattering and can hide fit imperfections. Colors in similar shades with different textures are completely acceptable and encouraged! For example: a light blue t-shirt + navy trousers + blue chore jacket or an off-white button-down shirt + white jeans + minimal white sneakers.
Tip #3
Match Your Bottom Half
To piggy back off of Tip 2- Matching your pants, socks and shoes instantly makes your lower half look long and lean. Avoid high contrast socks and shoes that’ll visually cut your legs into segments and therefore shortening their appearance. The key here is to avoid eye-catching focal points such as brightly colored socks or highly detailed shoes. Simplicity is paramount to making your naturally small silhouette less obvious.
Tip #4
Proportionate Accessories
I see a lot of short dudes overcompensating for their height with the use of garish accessories. No matter your size, when it comes to accessorizing, proportions are EVERYTHING!
For starts, I suggest wearing accessories that naturally draw the viewer’s eye upward. This can include incorporating jewelry such a thin, minimal necklaces or small earrings.
For the middle half of the body, stick with belts no bigger than 1.5 inches in width. Make sure they match the pant color to avoid heavy contrast. If you wear a watch, I suggest a narrow leather strap with a thin case between 38-42mm in diameter with slender hands and numbers.
Lastly, make sure your bag doesn’t look like you’re lugging around a toddler. Whenever I see a guy shlepping a huge crossbody messenger bag, I cringe! Stick to carrying only what you need in a bag that’s proportionate to the rest of your body. Make sure it’s in a color that works well with the majority of your wardrobe. You want to ensure your accessories are cohesive, as well as versatile so you can reach for it time after time. Yay sustainability!