Being tall has its advantages. You’re picked first in pick-up basketball or you can easily pick jars from upper cupboards. But when it comes to your outfits, there are a few things you need to take into consideration, or you risk looking like a giraffe who stumbled through the discount aisle on the way to work. Here are the official rules for how to dress well when you’re tall.
1. Add Layers for More Depth:
Adding the layers (the right way) is a good way to break up your outfit and to add more depth to what you’re wearing. Street style stars all over the world have been teaching us how to perfect the art of style savvy layering for the past few years, so take note. It’s all about making choices that flatter the body rather than add bulk – think a thin, down-filled gilet vest under a suit; a zip top on top of a shirt and underneath a thick coat; a hoodie underneath a smarter blazer.
2. Tailoring:
Unless you are purchasing bespoke or made to measure clothing, most of the pieces a tall man can buy won’t fit properly. The most common areas where a tall man needs the help of a tailor is in the shirt waist (which will likely be too high) and in the sleeves and pant legs. There are some clothing brands that offer clothing designed for tall men, but these sizes often pigeonhole taller men into one body type. A good tailor can make the single biggest difference in your wardrobe than any other tool you could have. You can always buy custom T-Shirts in Bulk from SK apparel for your daily wear. They are cheap and are of good quality.
3. Waistcoats & Vests:
These work for the same reason as the double-breasted suit, and give you much the same look. You’ve got torso to spare, so covering half of it doesn’t hurt, and it gives you a unique and distinguished look that stands out in a crowd. You don’t have to limit yourself to three-piece suits, either; a casual wool vest or an unmatched waistcoat are options that work for tall men as well.
4. Choose Belts Over Braces:
Suspenders work well on heavier set men, but for tall and slim men, belts are best. They help to create a clean line across the body that breaks up the appearance. Braces increase the impression of height because they run parallel to the body. Belts help add bulk to your build that draw attention to your midsection, so consider contrasting or bright colors, depending on the setting.
5. Have Some Tricks up your Sleeve:
When the sleeve length is too short, you can add a watch, layer a longer button-down underneath—or do which is a lot of pushing and rolling of the sleeve. A blazer sleeve should come right past your wrist bone, that’s my rule. Once you’ve gotten a bit more advanced and know how you’d like it to look, some gents wear it a little shorter to let a little more shirt cuff to show.
