Most guys under 5’10” or 6’ tall feel short. I’m 5”7 myself and have used these tips in my style to give myself a leg up in my appearance. Today, I’m gonna show you 5 simple tips to make shorter guys (5”4-5”10) look taller.

Tip #1 Stay in Proportion

First things first, make sure your clothes fit properly. Shorter guys need pants that elongate their legs, and this is done by having a nice slim taper down from the knee to the leg opening. As opposed to a wider, straight leg pant that will make the legs look stubby, a sleek taper allows will give the appearance of a streamlined physique.

For shirts, the sleeves and overall length are the most important factors. The cuff should end at the wrist, and the hem of the shirt should end mid crotch. This can be very hard to find off the rack so my good friends at
Under 510 make really nice button down shirts for, you guessed it, guys
“Under 5 foot 10 inches tall”. They have a ton of styles available,
my personal favorites are the shirt and the shirt.

Use my code “Mensch75” and get 2 flannels for $ 75!

Tip #2 Start With The Shoes

Own the right footwear - For dress shoes wear ones that look longer and for casual shoes wear something that gives you a boost. Sneakers, especially canvas or flat shoes, don’t do you any favors - whereas with a pair of boots you might get an extra few inches without looking like elevator shoes! I would definitely recommend the Red Wing Moc Toes 875 because they give a bigger impression, and will give you that extra 2 inches and make you look rugged and masculine. LINK

Tip #3 Use Your Head

If you’ve been blessed with good hair, make sure to get a tapered cut, something that is shorter on the sides and gradually gets longer and more voluminous on top. Not only will hair give you an extra inch of actual height, but it will again give a taller impression as it draws the eye’s attention to the top of your body.

If you don’t have hair, definitely look into getting a modern hat. This could be a fedora which have thankfully made their way back into mainstream trends, or even an upscale sleek baseball cap.

Tip #4 Colors and Patterns

Use monochromatic outfits that use one color tone. Instead of breaking up your torso and legs, this will help to blend the two and make for a longer and leaner look. For example, If you’re wearing black pants, wear a dark shirt or a charcoal sweater on top. Be aware, tucking in your pants and wearing a belt may also separate your body so try to keep your buckle toned down.

Bigger bolder checks will also give you a bigger impression, but can also swallow a shorter body so they can either work with you or against you. Instead a bold colored plaid, I’d try a dark toned plaid - like this one. Another valuable pattern is vertical stripes that will accentuate length, so these are also your friend.

Tip #5 Off the Cuff

While it may not apply to everyone, it is definitely an important rule. A bigger cuff will break up your leg and your feet. Keeping the cuff thinner will give you a clean look while still looking stylish with a cuff. This definitely applies to jeans and also would be a case by case issue depending on the shoes and the pants. Make sure to keep a note of it and always check your cuff!

Tip #6 Up Your Sleeve

If you wear a blazer or suit jacket, you will be amazed how much of a difference in appearance showing some shirt sleeve can do for your entire look. Instead of having the blazer cover your shirt sleeve, have one inch of shirt cuff showing.

Tip #7 No Breaks!

For pants, make sure that your hem rests gently on top of your shoe instead of bunching up and stacking. This can be a big problem as it is difficult to find pants with short inseams. But again, my friends have solved this problem, carrying inseams on their pants from 26” - 30”.  Don’t be afraid to show a little sock too if you’re feeling bold enough!

Remember, check out Under 510 for their awesome shirts, ties, and pants. Send me a DM on Instagram if you have any questions.