Faking a longer torso to offset long legs

[jhdas]

I have long legs. Almost absurdly long. I'm 6' tall, but my legs are 43" long (hip to ground), and my natural waist is a good two inches above that. My torso is only 18" long or so. This means that when I try to wear pants that fit me where they "should", I'm left looking like a midget on stilts (not to mention, finding pants that are 32-33 x 36-37 is a pain **********).

When I'm in casual settings I can usually get away with simply wearing low-cut jeans and t-shirts or untucked dress shirts, thus creating the appearance of a more balanced torso. But I really like suits, and plan to own quite a few. Wearing dress pants below the hips just seems like a bad idea, but if I do anything else I look absurd.

One crazy idea I've had is, maybe I could wear vests to fake a longer torso. What do you guys think? Any other short-torso, long-leg guys out there with some tips?

Edit: Oh, maybe I should've mentioned: I'm a 40-42 L, and the sleeves are always too short for me (I need a 28 inch sleeve or so).

 

[Bird's One View]

Puddle-glum?

 

[$unny]

i'm the opposite. 40L jacket, but 40R looks more proportional.

 

[otc]

I'm similar although when it comes to suits I often have 40-42Rs instead of Ls (though the Rs are on the longer side of R and I get comments on here that they are too short). The L just feels too long since I am tall but it drapes really low proportionately.

The MC Denim 101 thread got me to buy a pair of jeans with a taller rise and I have been wearing them (but with the waist where I wear my usual lower rise jeans) and they seem to counteract the appearance of my short torso.

 

[jhdas]

Originally Posted by otc

I'm similar although when it comes to suits I often have 40-42Rs instead of Ls (though the Rs are on the longer side of R and I get comments on here that they are too short). The L just feels too long since I am tall but it drapes really low proportionately.

The MC Denim 101 thread got me to buy a pair of jeans with a taller rise and I have been wearing them (but with the waist where I wear my usual lower rise jeans) and they seem to counteract the appearance of my short torso.

Wouldn't a taller rise give you an even shorter-looking torso?

 

[dbtbandit67]

actually, yes. vests/sweaters/untuck tshirts sounds like a great solution to this problem. it's far better than sagging your pants.

 

[Sator]

I have the opposite problem - shortish legs and longish torso. So I always have braces trousers cut with a very high rise and have the waistcoat cut as short as possible to make my legs look longer.

I would say that you could easily do the opposite and have the waistcoat cut long along with a long skirted coat with a low fashion waist. With all the tinkering to the coat, waistcoat and trousers, to get it all to coordinate properly you will probably have to go bespoke. Double breasted waistcoats are particularly widening, and you should avoid having a point on it, and instead have the bottom cut horizontally straight across.

 

[Max Inseam]

I think Sator has it right. A longer jacket should help to rebalance your apparent midpoint, making your legs look shorter and your torso longer. I would suggest avoiding the thom browne look.

 

[voxsartoria]

I'm reserving my advice until I see mafoofan post in this thread.


- B

 

[TheFoo]

Jeezus, your legs are as high as my shoulders.

Have you considered trying bespoke? The waist of the jacket could stay near your natural waist but the tailor could give you a longer skirt.

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

I'm reserving my advice until I see mafoofan post in this thread.

Alright then, let's hear it.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by jhdas

I have long legs. Almost absurdly long. I'm 6' tall, but my legs are 43" long (hip to ground), and my natural waist is a good two inches above that.

I'm 5'10", but like you I have long legs...41" in my case from hip to heel.

Celebrate this because longer legs gives you a naturally slimmer profile, and allows you to wear lower rise trousers or jeans casually without looking like a chimp.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Jeezus, your legs are as high as my shoulders.

Have you considered trying bespoke? The waist of the jacket could stay near your natural waist but the tailor could give you a longer skirt.

Alright then, let's hear it.

My bespoke jackets are, indeed, slightly longer, but are still waisted to my natural waist. I knew that I should wait until you weighed and, and now all are amply rewarded.


- B

 

[jhdas]

I guess it's time to break out the reserve funds, take the plunge, and go bespoke. I mean, it makes the most sense, because the clothes will last me longer and fit me better than anything else, but I'm still trying to get used to the idea of paying that much on anything (my parents are comfortably middle class but raised me with a bit of a siege mentality when it comes to money).

At least I can guarantee I'll be the best-dressed person at my school

.

On a related note, anyone know a good tailor in Gainesville or Sarasota?