Big and Tall? No Way: Clothing Lines Take Shape for Shorter Men

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There are whole clothing lines devoted to big and tall men, so why aren’t there any for the slim and short?  The lack of stylish options for shorter men led Peter Manning to start his own line, a New York Times article reports.

The new line, called, well, Peter Manning, is for men 5-foot-8 and under and is designed to make men appear taller and leaner. Chinos are created with a narrow leg to elongate the silhouette and button-down shirts hit right below the waist for a slimming effect. With sweaters in classic navy blues and shirts in preppy plaids, the line has an all-American aesthetic.

The Times notes that over 25% of American men age 20 and up are 5-foot-8 or shorter, according to a 2008 report by the National Center for Health Statistics. So it’s no surprise that other lines designed for shorter men are already on the market.  But with its mid-price range, Manning’s line hits a sweet spot.

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Jimmy Au’s line, based in Beverly Hills, is also designed for shorter men. But with blazers priced at $450 and dress pants selling for $250, the line has very little options for affordable wear. Manning’s label, which is currently only available online (petermanningnyc.com), ranges from $24 to $79.50 and is devoted to the wardrobe basics.

And unlike more casual and affordable lines for shorter men like For the Fit, Manning forgoes the usual small, medium and large sizing for a system that he says is less confusing. Shirts are sized from 1-5 with each number corresponding to a certain weight and height (a 2, for example is for men who are 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-6 and between 130-145 pounds).

It also helps that the website has a sleek minimalist design and features models that look like they stepped right out of a J.Crew catalog. The combination gives the effect of a trendy boutique — a far cry from your average big and tall website.

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