The classic denim trucker jacket is a product we’ve been working on hard to deliver to our customers. It’s a piece of Americana that is universally flattering and versatile. You can wear it with just a t-shirt, dress it up with a collared shirt and tie and wear it as a middle layer underneath a top coat. Our team has been wearing it with shorts and a tee on cool summer nights.

While nailing the fit is crucial with everything we develop, a jean jacket has a unique set of proportions. It’s meant to be a bit shorter than other light weight jackets and it shouldn’t be too form fitting, but not boxy either.

Ours is made from premium denim, with a medium wash that feels soft and easy-to-wear right out of the box. The design has a clean look that maintains the traditional trucker jacket silhouette, with flap chest pockets, side entry pockets and of course button cuffs.

According to our friends at Primer Magazine, a men’s style blog, the traditional denim jacket is a derivative of the Levi’s Type III jacket, the third of three classic designs pioneered by Levi Strauss & Co. in the late 1960s. 

While some brave souls will wear a blue jean jacket with blue jeans, aka The Canadian Tuxedo, we advise to wear either a contrasting wash of jeans, preferably black, or pants of an entirely different fabric, such as olive chinos (pictured below). It’s an easier pairing and highlights the details of the Denim Jacket.

From there, you can wear a plain (well-fitting) t-shirt or polo, or layer a thin sweater or hooded sweatshirt underneath. Some people will wear their Denim Jacket like their favorite pair of jeans, an everyday item that becomes a foundation of their wardrobe.

Also, similar to our jeans, the more your wear our Denim Jacket the more it becomes personalized, over time developing markings that show creases from your individual movements.

SHOP DENIM JACKET

We highlight noteworthy not-so-tall guys in our In Good Company feature. This week we’re shining the spotlight on Jeff Buoncristiano, who has become internet-famous for his beard. Posts on Buzzfeed and Reddit made the 5’6” artist well-known for his personal journey of growing his beard.

He’s a fan of our clothes, and we recently caught him wearing our Seersucker Short Sleever and Chino Shorts (perfect fit!), paired with a Rolex Daytona, sailor’s knot bracelet, boat shoes, and, of course, his epic beard. It’s a crisp summer look personalized by his accessories.

Jeff has successfully leveraged his internet fame into a media company through Instagram and YouTube, where he covers style, grooming, fitness and a range of other men’s interest topics. Check him out!

His base talent is in motion graphics, having worked for major brands such as Samsung, Adidas, Taylor Swift and HBO. Originally from Cape Cod, Buoncristiano now lives in Brooklyn.

Not only because he looks great in Peter Manning, we are proud to feature Buoncristiano in our In Good Company feature because his talent and charisma made him a legitimate influencer even as a not-so-tall guy.

A few years ago we started seeing men’s publications espouse the virtues of hybrid shorts—shorts that could thrive in a workout and look stylish enough for a lunch date. Our team knew we had to deliver this versatility to our customers.

At that time we felt we had nailed our Chino Shorts, so the key was to source a fabric that would have some stretch, be able to dry quickly and look more put-together than gym shorts.

As soon as we released them, we started getting incredible feedback. 

One reviewer wrote: “Tech Shorts are my new favorite shorts. I now have them in three colors. Fit is excellent. Seven inch inseam is perfect. I am 5'5". Material is comfortable in hot weather. Sun blocking properties are a real bonus. I like the zippered back pockets. Outstanding in every way!”

We loved hearing from this avid golfer: “These are great, well-made and fitting shorts and very comfortable! They kept me cool during a recent NC golf tournament. I have several different golf shorts (FootJoy, Under Armour, Puma, Peter Millar, Nike, Stitch) and in my opinion these are much better. I will definitely buy another pair!”

Gear Patrol wrote: “For shorter guys, wearing a pair of shorts that go below the knee is a no-go. Peter Manning NYC adheres to this basic rule by only offering shorts with a seven-inch inseam or less. The Tech Short is the latest pair that you can have in your arsenal for a casual outfit or working out. Made of quick-dry fabric (95 percent nylon and 5 percent elastane), the added stretch for movement creates a more versatile and comfortable short that takes proportions into account with a narrower leg for a trimmer look.”

Available in Graphite (dark grey), Khaki, Light Grey, and Black, our Tech Shorts will complement a wide range of outfits.

Our most basic short is still one of our favorites. Why? Because we’ve nailed the fit on one of most versatile pieces of clothing in the summertime. It’s our hot weather MVP.

During this quarantine we’ve embraced a steady rotation of our Chino Shorts, which just wash and wear brilliantly, getting softer over time and fading just like chinos should.

Because they fit so well, they have a tidy appearance, perfect for 2020 office casual with a James Polo or Everyday Shirt with rolled sleeves.

“As a shorter man, I’ve never been very comfortable wearing shorts off the rack. I’ve always felt they made me look frumpy so for the most part I shied away from wearing them. Now that I’ve found these, that will change. The length is perfect and the legs are trim enough to keep you from looking like you're wearing stove pipe shorts,” wrote one of our customers in a review.

In order to nail the fit, the rise on our Chino Shorts is shorter, which allows them to sit properly and comfortably on the hips. Once you find your correct size, you won’t have to wear a belt if you don’t want to. Of course, the length was designed to hit above the knee, a length that will withstand the test of time. Just like the pants version, the legs are thin enough to flatter most builds, but aren’t too tight.

What’s also great about our Chino Shorts is that they work well with a variety of builds, whether you’re thin, muscular or somewhere in between. It's a universally flattering cut that will convert men (like our reviewer) who previously felt uncomfortable wearing shorts.

Even men's fashion sites showcase the most flattering length is above the knee.

When temperatures are nearing the 90s and you still have to look put together, we reach for our Short Sleevers, which are button-up, collared shirts with short sleeves. A standout in this line is our seersucker fabric version, which, due to its puckered fabric, creates extra ventilation for its wearer.

Popularized in warm weather British colonies like India, seersucker fabric bunches together and is held away from the skin. It has a naturally wrinkled appearance, so it holds up well on the hottest days and doesn’t require ironing.

But don’t get too caught up in the traditional Kentucky Derby full seersucker suit look, which is great for certain, but not too many, occasions. Our shirts are a modern adaptation of the fabric and work well heading to the beach as well as grabbing dinner afterwards.

Ours come in a wider striped version (pink and blue) as well as thinner, more traditional stripes (in blue and grey) with a button-down collar. We recommend wearing these with more muted shorts or pants or light-wash jeans in order to play up the texture on the shirt.

The Short Sleever is intended to have a more relaxed easygoing fit without looking sloppy. It’s a true casual summertime shirt meant to be worn untucked. Our designers have trimmed the sleeves and body just enough so that not-so-tall guys don’t look too boxy, which can happen with other brands who don’t address proportions for shorter men.

“This great fitting shirt is a godsend in hot, humid and muggy weather,” wrote one of our customers in a review.  Don’t be afraid to venture into new seasonal fabrics - they make a big difference - and you can’t go wrong, as long as the fit is right!

In our In Good Company feature, we highlight shorter men who have made an impact.

Quarantined sports lovers drove ESPN’s Michael Jordan documentary “The Last Dance” to record ratings. Director/Knicks super fan Spike Lee (5’3”) was prominently featured as the filmmaker recounted his role in the Nike TV ads starring Lee (as Mars Blackmon) and Jordan with the tagline “It’s gotta be the shoes.”

Outside of his filmmaking (“Do the Right Thing,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” “Malcolm X,” “He Got Game,” “BlaKkKlansman”) Lee has become an influencer of pop culture and is widely credited with jumpstarting a new wave of black filmmaking. Through his production company 40 Acres and a Mule, Lee has to his credit more than a dozen feature length films that he has written, directed and/or produced.

In New York City, Lee is most often seen court-side at Madison Square Garden (Who can forget him going at it with Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller in the ‘90s?). And around the world, Lee has transformed cinema and is influencing the next generation of filmmakers as artistic director of N.Y.U.'s graduate film program.

Spring is here, and even with the pandemic keeping most of us inside, it’s time to break out the classic tried-and-true polo shirt. It’s casual. It’s timeless. It’s more acceptable than a T-shirt for work. You can showcase your personal style with basics like white, black or navy; or punch up your outfit with a brighter version.

No matter what though, make sure your polo shirt fits well. The sleeves should hit mid bicep. The body should be trim, not tight. And the length (worn untucked) should hit right below the belt line in front, and the tennis-tail should hit right around the tops of the pockets in back.

Make sure it does NOT fit like this:

Cords, jeans, shorts or chinos go with polo shirts. And if you keep a navy blazer around you’ll be able to go from very casual to business casual in an instant. 

Often overlooked is the long-sleeved polo, which is just as versatile as the classic short-sleeve version. It’s not as common, but the extra arm coverage allows it to work for weather conditions when short sleeves are not warm enough. You can roll or push up the sleeves for a laid-back vibe. Tucked in (as seen below on Ryan Reynolds) it can function like a button up shirt alternative.

With jeans

For sure our number one go-to look with polo shirts. Why? It’s so easy to leave the house looking great. Add white sneakers, boat shoes, loafers, Jordan 1s and you’ll look the part you’re aspiring too. Throw in some aviators and a cotton baseball cap with a leather fastener for an updated prep look. 

We love pairing lighter wash jeans as a contrast to saturated colors of our polos. 

With shorts

When it’s too hot to wear pants, but you might be headed somewhere nice (like brunch), a great-fitting polo will tidy up your appearance. Don’t be afraid to pop the collar as well, if you’re in the mood!

With suiting

One of our favorite ways to dress down a suit or sport jacket is with a polo shirt. Make sure the color of your polo contrasts enough with your jacket choice. A more casual shoe choice instead of traditional lace-up oxfords complements the more casual tone conveyed with a polo shirt. 

We especially love this look with our stretch cotton jackets.

Tech fabrics and polos

We’re introducing a new tech fabric with our polos that will give it the functionality of those UV-protecting, sweat-wicking golf shirts available from other brands… but without the plastic-like look of those shirts. During the development of our tech shorts, we really learned about sourcing the latest performance fabrics that still look like the classic renditions.

Cotton pique weave vs. regular

Pique fabric has a textured, waffle weave look whereas jersey polos have smooth, flat surfaces. Our Pocket Polo features the smooth look while our James Polo has the textured look. The pique may be considered slightly dressier, whereas the jersey polo is a bit closer to a T-shirt so more casual. That said, both can be dressed up or down based on your choice of pant, shoe or jacket.

SHOP POLO SHIRTS

Our suits have made a big difference in the lives of many of our customers. It’s a universal notion that a man looks his best in a great-fitting suit. The Peter Manning suit line has finally delivered that put-together look for shorter guys. 

Proportions are everything when wearing a suit and a precise fit is essential. Make sure your jacket shoulders fit well with no bunching or overhang of fabric. Your jacket sleeves should hit at your wrist bone. Your waist should be slightly cinched and you should be able to fit your fist in between your jacket and shirt with your top button buttoned. We like our suit pants with no break so the cuffs hit the tops of our shoes.

Now that we got that out of the way, here are some ways to wear a suit casually,

SHOP SUITING

With a T-Shirt

The T-Shirt-with-suit look is the most risky but has the most reward. Nail this and you’re going to look pretty hip. Choose a high quality T-Shirt that contrasts with the color of your suit jacket. Pair this look with clean and simple sneakers or loafers to emphasize the casual attitude of this outfit.

With a Polo

Wearing a polo shirt with a suit is a more forgiving casual suit look thanks to the presence of a collar. As with the suit itself, make sure your polo shirt is trim and not tight. Choose a polo color that has enough contrast with your suit. You also want to keep the shoe choice casual, being mindful not to draw too much attention to your footwear.

SHOP POLOS AND T-SHIRTS

With an printed or patterned Everyday Shirt

If you are just dipping your feet into the whole casual suit look, start with one of our Everyday Shirts with a pattern or print. Here you can keep the colors in a similar family as the suit, as the pattern will naturally provide enough contrast.

SHOP EVERYDAY SHIRTS 

With a Hoodie or Cotton Pullover

If you want a strong contrast of casual and dressed up, throw a hoodie or cotton pullover on and wear a suit with it. This is a bold style move. Just own it with confidence. Here is where you can wear sportier sneakers. The key is to go undeniably and unapologetically casual with everything else but the suit.

SHOP COTTON PULLOVERS

Technical fabrics have come a long way in recent years. Not too long ago we never imagined we could produce a versatile casual pant in a technical fabric that wouldn’t, well, look too tech-y. 

Today we are proud to present our Everywhere Pant!  It really can work most everywhere, including in a casual office environment, at the gym, out walking the dog, doing errands or even on a hike!

With the success of our Tech Shorts, our product development team became obsessed with creating a go-anywhere, do-anything pant that would be durable, comfortable and practical. Most importantly, it would have to look similar to traditional casual pants while functioning like a technical pant.

Our Everyday Pant is made with nylon/elastane fabric that is ‘DWR’ durable water repellent, as well as light and breathable. Though it shares the ultra-comfortable drawstring waistband with its distant cousin, the All Day Sweatpant, our Everywhere Pant also includes belt loops, and has been upgraded with a working fly and auto-lock zippered back pockets to secure your wallet and keys.

How to Wear The Everywhere Pant

Very casual

The beauty of this pant is its chameleon-like nature. Pair it with a simple Vintage Crew T-shirt, Flatiron Vest and desert boots and you’ve won best dressed at the corner cafe. 

Semi-casual

Step it up with an untucked Weekend Oxford and simple white sneakers for a classic American look. Easy enough to don a Cotton Pullover here, if things get chilly. And the Weekend Oxford length will offer the perfect amount of ‘peek’ underneath.

Dressed up

Use your Unstructured Navy Blazer as a foundation and add a basic blue Everyday Shirt for the perfect casual meeting outfit. It’s amazing how a well-fitting blazer can tidy up your entire appearance. And the hybrid hem of our Everyday Shirts allows you to go tucked or untucked.

Go anywhere

Our Long-Sleeve Polo pairs really well with the Everywhere Pant. Sneaks, driving mocs or even flip flops will work on your feet. Pop the collar for some fun - it’s just the right size.