It's not just one leg after another
Does it really come as a surprise that the more we know the more difficult things become? We create products to simplify our lives but in doing so make our lives more complicated-take cell phones and e-mail for example. It's great when you can check movie times or game stats while waiting in line at the bank but when all you want to do is sip a Pina Colada on a sandy beach, that email notification emanating from your Treo can get pretty darn old.
We know more about the human body, diseases and viruses than ever before, which is great-I mean we'll all be hooked up to machines until we're 185 years old-but in the meantime we live in fear of pre-packaged spinach and germy bathroom handles.
And what about fashion? Clothes, along with food, are necessary items but we are in a constant pursuit to keep them interesting and "fresh". But it makes sense-if we didn't keep innovating, we wouldn't have anything to look forward to. So while we must wear clothes-in most places anyway-why not have fun with fashion, and make your wardrobe work for you?
Shopping for clothes these days is more overwhelming than ever. The average American is exposed to 3,000 advertising images every day and has so many options available to them, oftentimes the result is straight out apathy.
Instead of getting bogged down by designer labels and the hottest trends, fashion stylists recommend focusing on quality, shape, color and patterns. Obviously there is a difference between a bargain basement suit and a custom-tailored Armani. But sometimes it's hard to tell what will look good in the real world. Buying clothes that look good on the rack is not the only benchmark for creating a polished look, so if you focus only on brands and trends, you could still end up on the Worst Dressed List-if A-list celebrities can get it wrong, so can you!
And guys, you don't get off the hook so easy. While you may not concern yourself with how round your rump looks or if your pants make you look stumpy or squat, others may be picking up on your unintentional fashion boo-boos-and regardless of lifestyle or career, no one wants to give off the wrong impression. So if your past plan was to roll out of bed and reach for the first pair of slacks that could pass muster without ironing, listen up ... and take notes.
Alan Au, client relations manager at Jimmy Au's for Men 5'8" and Under, suggests the following tips for looking your best at any height.
Dressing Tips for business wear
Stripes have an elongating effect and make you look taller. Choose wider stripes if you are trying to look bigger and narrower stripes if you are trying to look slimmer. Avoid loud plaids and windowpane patterns. If you like these patterns, choose more subtle tonal varieties in smaller patterns. When choosing solid colors, remember lighter colors tend to make you look bigger and darker colors tend to make you look slimmer.
Shirt Tailoring Tips
Have the sleeves tailored if it's too long. If you don't, all you will ever do is roll them up. Have the sides taken in if it's too full. No one wants to look like a flying squirrel.
Shirt Dressing Tips
Avoid large patterns of any kind, including stripes. Narrow and fine line stripes are best to give your torso length. Checks, houndstooths, and herringbones patterns should only be big enough to be appreciated at social distances. Lower shirt collars help elongate your neck. Avoid high collar styles. They make you look like a turtle.
Sweater Dressing Tips
Avoid large patterns in bold or bright colors, especially loud horizontal stripes. If you like horizontal stripes, choose more subtle color combinations. Avoid large gauge knits, especially cable knits. They are too thick and chunky. You will be lost in the sweater. Choose smaller gauge knits in small patterns or solids. Choose slim fits and v-necks. It brings attention to your head and chest.
T-shirt Tips
Avoid shirts where the sleeves go past your elbows. Avoid shirts that are too full. Most cannot be altered.
Dress Pant Tailoring Tips
Always take in pants that are too full in the seat, crotch and leg. The fullness leads to chaffing and discomfort. Plain hems are preferred because its angular hem will also give you a longer leg line.
Dress Pant Dressing Tips
Pleated pants are okay if the pleats are shallow and in a short rise. Avoid regular rise pleated pants. The pleats are too deep and make you look stubby. Wear dress pants at the waist where most are designed to be worn. To look taller, keep contrasts to a minimum with your portcoats. Go with more tonal combinations. Avoid large patterned pants, especially in plaids and windowpanes. Solids and marled shades are best, followed by stripes, small herringbones, and small checks.
A. Covington is a fashion writer with a sharp eye for men's fashion. Her men's fashion blog covers the essentials on how to dress well, from neckties and pocket squares to to men's casual clothes to work attire for men. She always knew she wanted to be a writer and always loved fashion - and finally found a way to revel in both. Her work has appeared in numerous regional magazines and ezines, including San Diego Magazine, San Francisco Downtown Magazine, Ranch & Coast Magazine and JustLuxe.
UGG AustraliaUGGaustralia Orchid
UGGaustralia Sexy Boots
