ALPHA MALE: Stylish Dressing for Tall Guys

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Marc Streisand, GoLocal Men's Style Expert

Making it work his way: Tall guy Paul Pierce

In the West, men that stand greater than 6’3’’ are considered tall. This is considerably larger than other parts of the world, where a tall man is anyone above 5’10’’. While there are many advantages to height – picking up women and rebounding basketballs to name a few – several challenges also exist. Tall men must consider homes with higher ceilings, bigger cars, and need to constantly stay on the alert for short doorways and low hanging lighting fixtures. An additional challenge that comes with height is the selection of proper clothing to effectively use one’s height to build style.

The built-in advantage

Generally speaking, clothing tends to hang better on tall men than short men, especially men that are tall and lean. Well-dressed tall men command a presence, many CEOs and business leaders are tall. As long as

everything fits, it should look good. Mix up colors, as contrasting colors will break you up visually. A 6’4’’ man in black pants, a black jacket and a black shirt will look like a pole. However, by breaking up the outfit with different colors, the same man is able to create balance in his figure and create a strong style statement.

Play up accessories big

Additionally, tall men should use a accessories that are on the wider side. For example, skinny ties do not look good on a tall man. Belts, watches, and ties need to be big. Square or round-toe shoes will balance out the appearance of one’s legs. Thin sole shoes are optimal, as there’s no reason for someone who is already tall to add a little heel – unless you’re heading out in drag.

Things to avoid

A few general rules to consider when selecting clothing for a tall body type. First, avoid clothing that is oversized as it will hang off your body. Second, skip anything that is fitted. Tight clothing looks good on very few bodies – it is best to wear clothing that is more relaxed. Dress shirts need to be long enough to be tucked into your pants, even if you’re wearing a shirt untucked. Finally, opt for jackets and blazers that end just below your hip. Cropped jackets will make your body appear disproportionate, as your legs will look abnormally long.

Must-haves

Finally, we pulled together a list of tall man wardrobe staples. Make you your closet includes the following:

Double-breasted blazers and jackets

Turtleneck shirts and sweaters

Wider ties and belts

Custom-tailored suit

A coat that hanks just below the knees with belt

Straight-leg trousers and jeans

Hip-length, two button blazers

No high-heels

Marc Streisand is president and owner of Marc Allen Fine Clothiers, and takes the custom clothing business very personally. Having enjoyed a successful career in the clothing industry since 1985, Marc brings his clients extensive specialized experience in menswear. Prior to taking over the Marc Allen store in March 2005, he cultivated his knowledge of luxury male attire in New York and his home state of New Jersey, where he began his vocation at Wallach's Specialty Stores. Nothing gives him greater pleasure, he says, than seeing raw cloth transformed into a custom outfit that can directly impact his customer's lifestyle.

Don't miss Marc Streisand's style tips for men on GoLocalTV, fresh every day at 4pm and on demand 24/7, here.