Where to Find Suits for Short Guys?

Hi Guys,

I'm a pretty short guy (5-5) with a slim to average build, and I've had a horrible time trying to find a suit that fits. I've scoured downtown for a suit that fits well but even the various designer 36s sizes that I've tried on seem too long for me.

Surprisingly, however, I found a 38s at Club Monaco that fits me very well and has a pretty nice cut. But the CM style is more of a casual suit and I'm looking for something a little more versatile. So, I'm wondering if anyone knows of any place that may have similiar size/cut suit jackets so that I could extend my options a bit further.

I know what people say about OTR fused suits but MTM's are really a last resort for the time being.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by CrackaLackaZe

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Hi Guys,

I'm a pretty short guy (5-5) with a slim to average build, and I've had a horrible time trying to find a suit that fits. I've scoured downtown for a suit that fits well but even the various designer 36s sizes that I've tried on seem too long for me.

Surprisingly, however, I found a 38s at Club Monaco that fits me very well and has a pretty nice cut. But the CM style is more of a casual suit and I'm looking for something a little more versatile. So, I'm wondering if anyone knows of any place that may have similiar size/cut suit jackets so that I could extend my options a bit further.

I know what people say about OTR fused suits but MTM's are really a last resort for the time being.

Thanks!

I'm not particularly large (5'6/7) and slim but athletic, and I have the same problem.

Usually, however, I find most 38s from RLPL, HSM or Joseph Abboud to fit me rather well.

You may also want to look at Jos A. Bank -- but it's a hit or a miss for your fit.

I would not recommend Brook's Brothers because they seem to make clothes for fat people. Even their so-called slim fit shirts and their 38s suits seem too big for me.

Not sure what your price range is, but I'd check the European (read: Italian) labels which tend to have a shorter, less boxy cut in my opinion. Z Zegna, Ralph Lauren Black Label, etc. have very slim, short cuts--or at least the ones I've tried on.

Also, get your exact measurements, and use those to browse around for a suit that fits you well.

JTAs advice is good. In addition to Z-Zegna and RLBL, Boss Red Label is also cut slimmer and shorter. You might also try BB. Their short sizes are true short sizes, and they have slimmer cuts (Fitzgerald and Regent) available. You can definitely do better than Club Monaco.

As a last resort, a good tailor can shorten a suit, though you don't want to go over an inch.

FWIW - I'm 5'7" not slim but not athletic

What is your budget & what applications?

I wear a lot of GA & now moving back to Neopolitan tailoring such as my older Caruso & Corneliani suits.

Recently I have been buying from an Australian brand that are now getting their suits made in Japan but with a Neopolitan style.

Stick with Italian makes such as Caruso (who also make for RL Black Label) or Corneliani (who make RL Blue Label). Stay away from Z Zegna as they are made for slim yet taller builds.

Have a look at my WAYW post to get an idea.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Metlin

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You may also want to look at Jos A. Bank -- but it's a hit or a miss for your fit.

I would not recommend Brook's Brothers because they seem to make clothes for fat people. Even their so-called slim fit shirts and their 38s suits seem too big for me.

My experience runs completely the opposite.

Jos A Bank seems to start at 38S, which precludes any of their items from fitting me, and so I doubt you'll have much luck there. Plus I find their wares unimpressive from a quality standpoint.

BB has 36S suits, plus they have slimmer fitting styles. Also, they have a boy's section if the 36S just won't cut it for your height.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll probably stop by the local BB later today to check out what they have. I don't have a set budget, but how much I spend will depend on the quality of the suit, and I would be hesitant to go above $600 for an OTR suit (Considering that I will be making a trip to China in a month and could get a MTM from Chan's for $1000-$1500, although it would inconvenience my schedule somewhat.).

Hopefully I can find something under that, worst case scenario I'll have to come back when they start having their sales.

Is the RLBL the slimmest suit available at the moment? (not counting the skinny Dior suits and the like as I cannot get my arms through the arm holes so I never tried them) What is the safest number of inches that can be taken off the suit (I'm thinking since it is considered slim it would be a lower number than regular suits)? I tried one on today at the London store trying on a 38 short and it was too long in length by a few inches (I was expecting this, just wanted to try my luck given the encouraging comments here concerning the suit) but I wasn't expecting the salesman to recommend that if I were to purchase the suit I should take in the waist 'several' inches on 'each' side. From what I understand, wouldn't it mess up the balance of the suit or something? I'm not a slim or skinny fellow by any stretch of the imagination (29 waist - which is average on this forum ) but the suit was less slim than me. I imagine this is a problem for those with a similar build, so what do you guys do? I found the retail price crazy at almost $2000

I have the same issue as you, being 5"6', it is difficult to get 36S added with I have a 7" drop.

Last time when I need one RTW suit, Marco Valentino is offering a good value of money since I only need to take in a bit.

Probably you can take into account Jil Sander or RLBL. I heard many excellent reviews on both.

I would not recommend Brook's Brothers because they seem to make clothes for fat people. Even their so-called slim fit shirts and their 38s suits seem too big for me.

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This is true of their shirts and Madison fit suits, but they have two suit lines which are cut slim. More importantly, their short sizes seem to be true shorts. They might be worth checking out. Also, as suggested, more fashion-oriented brands--Z, RLBL, Theory, etc. Fortunately, the trend right now is toward shorter suits in general (thank you TB), so you might start to get more options soon.

Another option, if you have a really good tailor is to have a jacket shortened. I wouldn't go more than an inch, and I would consult first, since it's easy to throw a suit off balance, but it can be done successfully.

Onne of the problem withshorts and exta shorts in RTW is that the jakcet length is shortened, by say 1 1/2", the waist is raised half that amount, the sleeve is shortened about 1", and you would expect that the armhole should be raised as well, to maintain proportions. Unfortunately, nobody that I know of raises the armhole; it is just too complicated an alteration. (I would be very pleased to learn who, if anyone, is doing this). Cambridge Members in New York has developed a silhouette specifically for short people and I think it starts at size 34; I'm not sure if any other retailers have done the same- I'll ask around and if I hear of anything I'll give a shout.

Wow, I'm in the same boat, to the T. 5.5'' and short torso, can't find much...
besides the previous recomendations, and considering that I maybe have less of a budget tolerance but still want to look good...
so far all I've found is H&M, believe it or not a 34 regular, a bit tight in the pants but it looks sleek and modern and at $300 you can buy a bunch of colors and styles. Other then that, I'd probably go with MTM...

My dad is around 5'7. He has a Caruso suit in 36s and the length is perfect for him. So try on some Caruso suits to see if they work for you.

I wear 38S and find the Canalis fit ne very well. Also the Samuelson MTM works well for the price.

Originally Posted by pajames

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I wear 38S and find the Canalis fit ne very well. Also the Samuelson MTM works well for the price.

Has anyone tried the Samuelson "medium short" or "kinda short" or whatever that in-between size is? I'm 5'8" and now buy a short jacket. A regular length makes my legs look short but I wondered if the in-between size would work. I assume such an in-between size would only be available as MTM.

If anyone happens to have a 41 med-short, could you post the length of the jacket from collar to hem?