Are you under 5’8” and looking to upgrade your casual wardrobe? If so, check out this article for ideas!
As a shorter guy, it can be difficult for me to find clothes that fit. However, there are a relatively small number of short-men-specific clothing brands. By “short-men-specific brands,” I’m referring to those that make clothing exclusively for men under 5’8” or so.
Finding clothing that fits boosts confidence and presents far more styling opportunities. As someone who wears XS/S shirts, the varying lengths of shirts marked, the same size challenges my ability to find a shirt that does not fit me like a dress.
So, instead of settling for overly baggy or unsightly loose clothing, look for brands built for shorter men, such as “Ruler of London,” “Abbreviated,” and “Ash & Erie.”
While this article doesn’t cover all of the brands out there that cater to men of modest height, here’s my feedback on three of them that recently sent me products for me to test out.
While I did receive the following items free of charge, my feedback is unsponsored and unbiased.
Ruler of London
Jack Shackleton, the founder of Ruler of London, a new UK-based clothing brand aimed purely at men under 5’10, sent me samples a few months back.
While I was admittedly a bit skeptical as I browsed the Ruler of London site, when the clothing samples arrived, I was pleasantly surprised.
All of the shirts and the sweater I tried fit well in the chest and arms. Even more impressive, they were the perfect length.
I think my favorite has to be the polo shirt. Its fit is comparable to much more expensive made-to-measure shirts I’ve owned.
Not only do they fit well, their fabric feels and looks to be of high quality.
While Ruler of London’s selection is still small, I’m excited to see what they come up with next!
Abbreviated
Alongside Ruler of London, Abbreviated is another newer men’s clothing brand catering to shorter guys.
I tried out a t-shirt, a polo, and an Oxford shirt from this San Francisco-based brand.
Their XS polo fits me ok, albeit slightly too tight in the chest.
The XS tee was too tight in the chest, arms and shoulders, but good in the body. Also, the length was great. I exchanged it for a size small, which fits much better.
The size small Oxford fit well in the body but was a bit too long to be worn untucked for me. Besides that, the sleeves are quite a bit too short. (I have a short torso and long arms).
It’s also too tight in the arms and shoulders. Honestly, I didn’t think that any of their Oxford sizes would work for me, so I just returned that one.
Abbreviated offers pants as well, but they don’t carry my size (typically length 30). However, if you typically wear pants that are 28L or shorter, definitely check out this brand.
Ash & Erie
Ash & Erie has been around the block. They have a large selection of clothes for shorter guys. Here are some picks from what I’ve been trying out the last few months.
Ash & Erie Everyday Greenstone Plaid Shirt
The Greenstone Plaid Everyday Shirt has a cool pattern. The sleeves are slightly short on my disproportionately long arms, which for me is common on a lot of tops.
The shirt is a size small/slim, and although it does fit a little snug, it is still wearable. I tend to wear it untucked with jeans and boots.
Ash & Erie Everyday Shirt: Heather Burgundy
I also have Ash & Erie’s Everyday Shirt in Heather Burgundy in the same size. It might be my imagination, but I feel like this shirt fits me slightly better than the plaid version. I normally wear this one tucked in with the sleeves rolled up.
I like that this shirt is burgundy and not a stark or bright red. It works better with my lighter skin tone than more vibrant reds, which wash me out.
It certainly is a sharp shirt!
Ash & Erie Heather Charcoal Crew Neck Tee
An extra small Ash & Erie Heather Charcoal Crew Neck Tee ended up fitting too small, so I again opted for the small size.
I like the charcoal grey color. It’s a solid tee, and there’s not much else to say. I’d recommend it.
Ash & Erie Denim Jacket
I also tested out the Ash & Erie Denim Jacket Vintage Blue Wash in size XS. It fits me well. It’s just the right length in the arms and body and fits snugly, particularly in the arms. However, it’s comfortable and stretchy. (It has 1% elastane.)
It’s my first denim jacket in the classic style (my other one is a chore jacket). With a light wash, it is ultra-casual. I wear it with brown corduroys, an off-white tee, and boots.
Ash & Erie Explorer Jeans
Ash & Erie also sent me a pair of their Explorer Jeans in “concrete wash” (size 28×29). These are their slim-fit jeans, but I’d say they’re more of a skinny fit. However, terms like “slim,” “skinny,” and “tapered” when describing pants’ fit can vary wildly between brands.
I like these jeans. I think they work well with smart casual looks. For example, a pair of white minimal
Despite their snug fit, they’re very comfortable. They have a 92% cotton / 7 % polyester / 1% elastane blend.
The best part? Ash & Erie stocks these jeans in sizes all the way down to size 28×25.
For more on Ash & Erie, check out our in-depth review.
FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions about dressing well as a shorter man.
What are the best clothing brands for short guys?
A few brands I’d recommend for shorter guys are Ruler of London, Ash & Erie, and Jimmy’s Au’s.
How can I “dress for success” as a short man?
Investing in correctly-sized clothes will help you feel and look your best. Check out this guide for tips for dressing well as a shorter gent.
What size shirt I should wear?
A simple way to figure out your best fit is to have your measurements taken. Determine your chest size and shirt length.
For some shirts, I would even recommend measuring your arms. From here, you will oftentimes be able to find the manufacturer’s suggested corresponding letter size.
What Brands Are Next?
There you have it: a fresh look into some of the best clothing brands for shorter guys.
What brands would you like to see featured next? Let me know in the comment section!
