It doesn’t matter how good the jacket is if the sleeves are dangling past your wrists. Fit is still the single most important detail in menswear, and yet it’s the one thing most brands don’t get right for a significant portion of the population. Namely, men under about 5'8". Which is a lot of guys.
So, what happens if you’re shorter than the industry’s mythical “average”? Well, you probably just make do. You roll sleeves, take trousers to the tailor, or convince yourself that the slightly-too-long hem on that otherwise perfect overshirt is just “relaxed”. It isn’t. It’s just not made for you.
Fortunately, some brands are catching up. ASKET, in particular, deserves a mention. Not because it’s the loudest in the room, but because it quietly offers most of its garments in multiple lengths, helping men of all shapes and sizes get a proper, considered fit straight out of the box.
This is not about dressing to look taller. It’s about dressing properly – proportionally – and finally wearing clothes that work with your frame instead of against it. Here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
- The problem with most clothes
- What to look for in clothes for short men
- The brands that do clothes for short men properly
- Clothes for short men: What works
- The long and the short of it
The problem with most clothes
Standard sizing is a myth. A medium in one shop is a large in another, and a 32-inch inseam is not the universal benchmark it’s often assumed to be. The truth is that shorter men don’t just deal with hem and sleeve issues. Most garments are cut too long in the body, too broad in the shoulder, or too low in the rise.
A blazer hem hits mid-thigh instead of just below the waist. Trousers pool at the ankle. T-shirts fit like tunics. It’s not just annoying, it distorts the whole look, no matter how nice the clothes are.
What to look for in clothes for short men
The main thing? Proportion. Not tightness, not slimming cuts, and certainly not gimmicky design features claiming to create the illusion of a few extra inches. Just clothes that are built to work on a shorter frame.
Key things to watch for:
- Shorter hems and sleeves that don’t need taking up.
- Higher-rise trousers, which balance leg and torso ratio.
- Cropped jackets, or at least those that stop at the hip.
- Minimal detailing, which keeps the silhouette clean and sharp.
A good rule of thumb: if you need to get more than one part of a garment altered, it’s probably not the right piece to begin with.
The brands that do clothes for short men properly
ASKET
The whole point of ASKET is permanence. Timeless wardrobe staples, refined each season. It helps that they also come in different lengths. Their T-shirts and shirts, for instance, are available in short, regular, and long, while trousers offer multiple inseam options without compromising the overall design. Quietly one of the best brands out there for fit, regardless of height.
Ash & Erie
Another American brand that focuses exclusively on shorter guys. Think of it as a capsule wardrobe of basics – Oxford shirts, jeans, tees – all built on a shorter block.
Uniqlo
Not specialist in clothes for short men, but worth a mention for offering in-store alterations and consistently good proportions in styles like their cropped trousers and minimalist outerwear.
Clothes for short men: What works
You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe. You just need to approach familiar pieces with a bit more precision. A better fit means cleaner lines, sharper silhouettes, and clothes that look like they were made for you – not your taller cousin.
Trousers
Shorter men benefit from trousers that don’t overwhelm the frame. Look for a higher rise – it visually extends the legs and creates balance with your torso – and make sure the leg tapers gently without clinging. Cropped trousers work well if the cut is clean and the hem hits just above the ankle. Avoid excessive break or stacking, especially with wider-legged styles. Brands like ASKET make this easier by offering variable inseams and build options in classic styles like jeans and chinos.
Shirts
With shirts, the danger is excess fabric – too long in the body, too wide at the shoulders, sleeves halfway down your forearm. Look for shirts with a shorter hem that works both tucked and untucked, ideally hitting mid-fly. Oxford shirts or button-down styles should sit close to the body without pulling.
Outerwear
Big coats can look great – but only when the cut is right. The shoulders should fit perfectly, and sleeves should land cleanly at the wrist bone. Parkas and technical jackets can work as long as they’re not overly bulky. Otherwise, a shorter jacket – a Harrington, chore coat or trucker – often delivers a better silhouette, ending around the top of the hip and giving the impression of longer legs.
T-Shirts
Often an afterthought, but arguably the item you’ll wear most. The ideal T-shirt for a shorter guy has sleeves that stop mid-bicep, not halfway to the elbow, and a body length that avoids draping over the crotch. A boxy tee can work if it’s slightly cropped, but a traditional fit in the right length is foolproof.
Blazers and jackets
Avoid jackets with excess padding or a long drop – they tend to swamp a shorter frame. The most flattering blazers are unstructured, slightly shorter in the body, and cut close to the torso. Soft shoulders work well, as does a two-button front with a higher fastening point. You want the jacket to define shape without adding bulk. If tailoring off the rack never quite works, consider brands offering made-to-measure or at least different length options.
Jeans
Stick with simple, classic cuts. A mid- to high-rise straight leg, slightly tapered below the knee, tends to be the most forgiving and proportionate. Raw denim can be hemmed easily, but avoid any excessive stacking – it throws off the line. Cuffed hems can work too, but keep them neat and narrow.
The long and the short of it
Shorter men don’t need style advice. They need clothes that actually fit. The good news is that options are improving. Brands like ASKET are proving that with a bit of forethought – and a willingness to offer lengths beyond “regular” – clothes can be made to fit properly, regardless of your height.
And when the fit is right, everything else follows.
Next up: How to find the perfect plain white tee.
