When you aren’t so tall, with other brands you’ll have to accept that the jacket that’s going to protect you when the temperature dips below 40 is not going to fit so well. Why invest in a winter jacket where the sleeves are too long and just won’t fit as it should.

That’s why we offer a sturdy Winter Parka that happens to be machine washable too. With a detachable hood and phone pocket, ours is a modern take on a menswear classic. The water-repellent exterior will repel sleet and snow, making this the ultimate defense against nasty winter weather.

Of course, you still want to look good in a snowstorm, so we designed our Winter Parka to fit relatively trim while still offering substantial down filling. Available in navy or black, this coat will go well with whatever else you are wearing. You can layer a sweater or sweatshirt underneath or over just a T-shirt for a coffee run or dog walk and still feel cozy.

The style of our winter parka is structured enough to wear over a suit as well as with sweatpants and a sweatshirt. It really can carry you the coldest months of the year. We’re also proud that our Winter Parka instantly elevates your entire outfit. Add a colorful scarf and you’re going to look sharp heading to the office.

You may think that it’s no big deal to always have your pants hemmed because you are short. We’re here to tell you otherwise.

Men who are short should not have to pay a 'tailor tax' everytime they purchase a pair of pants from a traditional brand. Peter Manning NYC offers pants (jeans, chinos, dress pants and more) with inseams starting at 25 inches. Furthermore our pants are completely redesigned with shorter men in mind, from the rise, to the knee break, to the ankle opening, to the pocket placement.

Our most popular pants are our jeans. It makes sense because most men can wear jeans in every situation, even in more casual office environments. It’s the cornerstone of many men’s wardrobes. Ours are made with high quality denim and are available in a variety of washes and fits.

We encourage you to add a mix of chinos to your collection as well. Sometimes referred to as 'khakis' (a popular color), chinos can be worn in any situation where jeans can be worn; but are also easily dressed up a bit more, say with a button-up shirt and maybe a jacket. Available in a range of colors, both year-round and lightweight fabrics; slim and standard fits, chinos can add a subtle brightening effect to your outfit.

The broad term 'dress pants' is often associated with more formal settings, but they actually can be worn with a crisp t-shirt and clean white sneakers too. Wool dress pants, for example, provide some variability in texture; and getting comfortable with combining dressier and casual pieces is an excellent way to be noticed without trying too hard. Our complete line of dress pants is available here.

At the other end of the spectrum, comfy, easy-going pants are also a must have. Our sweatpants and Everywhere Pants, made of tech fabric that doesn’t look too techy, have been best-sellers. It’s now more popular than ever to wear cozier style pants, and ours have the right fit for short men. Don’t miss out.

How Pants Should Fit on Shorter Men

Unfortunately, a lot of us think our inseam is 30 inches, because that’s just the shortest inseam available from most brands (and what we've been buying and living with most of our lives). Even a 29 inch inseam can make a major difference if you are under 5’9”. Everyone’s proportions are different, but ideally the bottom of your pants should sit right at the top of your shoes, with little or no break. 

Not only does a slight break create a more put-together look, excess fabric bunching up at the ankles (aka 'stacking') will make you look shorter. There’s no way around it, wearing pants that are too long (or too baggy) is simply unflattering. So be sure to measure and know your inseam when you shop for pants, and you’ll be off to a good start.

(As you can see, even slightly too much break can create a sloppy look)

Your waist should not be too tight, but tight enough that you’d still feel comfortable if you forgot your belt. If you feel confident wearing a slim fit, we encourage you to do so. Slimmer pants flatter short men, creating a sleeker silhouette. Some men prefer a more traditional wider cut, and that works well too. Ours are never too baggy or billowy though.

So now that you’ve discovered pants by Peter Manning NYC, have fun wearing a variety of looks that fit you well. Life is better when shorter guys don’t have to settle.

It is not easy to think about looking good when the temperatures dip, but we know that presenting yourself in the best possible light still boils down to great fit. Great fit generally means choosing clothing that works well with your body type. Sleeves that are too long and pants that bunch up around your ankles are the most glaring signs of poor fit, but many men do not realize that overall scale and proportion are important too.

In the coldest months you want to stay warm and that doesn’t have to mean wearing bulky clothes. One of the most versatile and bestselling items is our Lightweight Down Jacket, which is an example of a garment that provides sufficient warmth without adding bulk. Down offers this property and can keep you warm even with just a T-shirt underneath. This jacket is packable unto itself so it’s ideal for when you need to transition from overheated indoor environments to chilling temperatures outside.

If you need a slightly more formal look, our Wool Cashmere Topcoat is another great staple. Many of our team members enjoy wearing the Topcoat over a very casual outfit for a juxtaposition that really works in today’s athleisure boom. Mixing tailored pieces with casual clothes is a way to stand out in a crowd without looking like you are trying to be different. Of course our Topcoat is designed in a classic cut that looks good over a suit jacket as well, making it one of the most versatile items in our lineup.

We also like to layer our Flatiron Vest underneath the Topcoat for a suave look popularized in the streets of Milan. A vest keeps your core warm and it adds an extra element of visual interest in your outfit.

Of course, some days require an extremely warm jacket. This is where our Winter Parka comes into play. It’s fleece-lined and has a detachable hood to protect you from powerful gusts. Even our most intense winter jacket isn’t too bulky and has a sleek enough silhouette that it can be worn with a suit.

Another way to add style to your winter look is with one of our Scarves. They are made with cashmere from the Italian brand Portolano, ensuring comfort and durability, and ours are done in a length that is ideal for the not-so-tall guy.

So there you have it. You don’t need a lot of winter jackets, just a couple of quality pieces that will have you looking sharp, while you brave the great outdoors and/or holiday travel!

If you have a rotation of solid polo shirts, give our tipped collar and sleeve polo a try. One of the best known brands to carry tipped polo shirts is Fred Perry. Everyone from punks to tennis players took to the style of its M12 polo (pictured below), which features striping at the end of the collars and sleeves, adding a subtle flair to the conventional polo shirt.

Photo courtesy of ASOS

Ours comes in white, pale blue, red and navy and works well when you want to spice up a casual look. Sometimes a T-shirt is just too casual but a button up may be too much, so the tipped polo will get you noticed without too much fuss.

Again, the key wearing a tipped, or solid, polo shirt is to make sure the fit is correct. Your sleeves should hit mid-to-high bicep and the body should be trim without being too tight. Ours are, of course, made to fit shorter men and you won’t find anything else on the market for shorter men of our quality.

As one reviewer wrote: “I am 5'5" and 140 lbs. I purchased a black James Polo size 3. Fit is perfect including the shoulders and the arm length (shows off the biceps). It is just long enough to tuck in, but looks great worn untucked. I could not be happier.”

The Peter Manning NYC polo is made of a classic pique construction, with just a touch of stretch (2 percent) woven into the Pima cotton. Customers have reported that our polos have held up well over time and work well dressed up with a blazer too.

Even with the subtle stripes we recommend keeping the rest of your outfit low-key with the tipped polo. Our model Victor is shown wearing navy chinos and plain white sneakers with a white tipped polo. 

Another classic look is the wear a tipped polo with a light spring jacket such as our Harrington Jacket or Denim Jacket. People won’t pinpoint exactly why this combo looks so good, just that there's something (the striping) that really sets the look off.

Now that temperatures are finally hitting the 50s in New York City, we’re grabbing our Peter Manning Denim jacket quite often. Getting up for a coffee run, you can be sure that the trusty denim jacket will keep you warm enough and it always adds a dimension to an otherwise plain outfit.

As with our entire line, our denim jacket is designed for short men so that the sleeve and body lengths look right for men 5’8” and under. The classic denim jacket (trucker style based on the Levi’s Type III) should be slightly cropped and for men who are not-so-tall, denim jackets from other brands will likely not have the right look you're going for. 

The easiest way to wear a denim jacket is with chinos. Chinos can be worn anywhere jeans can be worn and you can and should wear them often to give your jeans a break. It’s also easy because almost any color chino will pair well with a denim jacket. Brown, olive, navy, it doesn’t matter. Just make sure your shirt complements your chinos.

Black denim is also easy to pair with a blue denim jacket as you can give a little bit of a rocker attitude to your outfit without trying too hard. Black denim is a great base for any outfit and paired with a denim jacket, you’ll be blending classic and contemporary.

When it's colder out, we also like to use the denim jacket as a midlayer underneath a topcoat. Because denim offers texture and subtle contrasts, it elevates the topcoat’s inherent muted look. Your denim jacket should fit snugly but still allow for enough room across your chest to allow your arms to move freely. Conversely, your topcoat should be roomy enough to fit a sport coat or denim jacket underneath.

Corduroys are also a smart choice during this transitional weather to wear with your jean jacket. The strong contrast in textures lends a distinct visual flair. With any denim jacket outfit, what you wear without the jacket needs to work well, so that when you add the jacket the look goes up a few notches.

While we did just note that a denim jacket should fit closer to the body (but not too tight), some people do choose to wear it sized up so they can layer a sweater or sweatshirt underneath. If you do choose that route, be sure that your look is intentional. If you like to layer underneath, we advise owning two denim jackets in different sizes.

One of the other reasons we love grabbing our Peter Manning NYC denim jackets is because it truly is a rugged piece of clothing. You can roll up the sleeves, pop the collar, stuff it in your tote bag and it just looks better the more you wear it.

Style wise, spring/transition-season jackets are our favorites because outerwear becomes less about function and more about looks. You don't need the practicality of a winter parka protecting you from the elements.

Because it's more evident when a lighter spring jacket doesn't fit well, we urge you to explore the many options we offer. We've proudly grown our outerwear line with input from our customers. It's tough and expensive to make alterations to outwear so thankfully our team has had the opportunity to input customer feedback into what we think is a versatile lineup for shorter men.

The Best Spring Jackets for Shorter Men

One of our customer favorites has been our Harrington Jacket. It's from a classic lineage and our version carries over all of the hallmarks of the original, down to the plaid lining. The cut is versatile enough to accommodate a sweater or sweatshirt underneath. It can be easily worn with just a T-shirt underneath and not look too roomy. Although it's a casual jacket, the Harrington would pair nicely with a button-up and tie too.

Think of the raincoat as your spring topcoat

You don't need it to be drizzling out to wear our Carnegie Raincoat. Ours features a lining that's removable so the jacket is adaptable for what can be drastic temperature fluctuations during this time of year.

We like to think of this raincoat as our lighter topcoat because you can make any outfit great just by adding this coat as your final touch. Not feeling like getting out of your sweatpants and sweatshirt? Throw on our raincoat. Need a spring jacket that looks great with a sport jacket? Our raincoat fits that occasion.

Just like our winter coat tips, avoid oversized jackets as a shorter man like the one pictured below. As you can see the loose, too-long arms and roomy body make for an unflattering look.

The perfect antidote to the too-loose, too-big jacket is a Denim Jacket that fits relatively close to the body. Of course there are range of body types, but in the case of the classic denim trucker jacket, a loose fit isn't what it was intended for. 

There is a major difference between tight and slim. You should feel comfortable in the chest area with your denim jacket button (even if you never wear it buttoned). 

We grab our denim jacket as much as we can during the spring because it will automatically pull together the most basic outfits. Of course, it's also a classic that will never go out of style. That's a reason so many of the clothes at Peter Manning are designed to be trend-proof.

One note: You can wear a denim jacket with jeans, but just make sure the wash of the jeans contrasts with the jacket. To play it safe, pull on some chinos.

A Waxed Jacket will age beautifully

Now, shorter guys can get the same benefits of a cotton waxed jacket that only taller men enjoyed in the past. Of course you could've forced yourself into a Medium that didn't so well, but now you don't have to with the Peter Manning Waxed Jacket in black or olive.

The harder you wear a waxed jacket, the better it gets. It's one of our most rugged pieces and is suitable for colder days as well because it has a quilted lining.

Are you a vest guy?

If your internal temperature tends to run hot, a great vest is essential. It's easy to put on and take off, thus ideal for that road trip that requires a few coffee stops along the way.

Our Flatiron Vest, pictured below is more suitable for dressing up and can be fashionably work underneath a jacket too. You can get the look made famous by Italian men and their gilets (another fancier word for what we call our vests that are thin enough to wear underneath another coat.)

Choose your personal look

Like we mentioned in the introduction, spring jackets can be more about the look rather than the function. Depending on your tolerance for temperature dips, you can select your outerwear more for a look you are going for. 

Pictured below are other items worth considering.

1. Our Field Jacket (show in camo) is one of our original products and continues to be a year-round bestseller.
2. The Lightweight Down Vest is sportier than our Flatiron Vest. Most of our staff own both.
3. Have you tried our Flannel Shirt Jacket? 

Have fun building your outfit and owning more than one spring jacket is recommended. Our team will rotate between our entire line to keeps things fresh.

Just remember: it’s all about fit. Fit is the most important aspect of style. If your clothes fit, you’re going to look great. If they don’t, then nothing else really matters (price, brand, colors).

Focus on fit, and shop with brands that understand fit, and you’ll look and feel great.

If you’re a shorter man, be sure to check out Peter Manning NYC to browse the largest selection of outerwear for short men in the world.

You may think that it’s no big deal to always have your pants hemmed because you are short. We’re here to tell you otherwise.

Men who are short should not have to pay a 'tailor tax' everytime they purchase a pair of pants from a traditional brand. Peter Manning NYC offers pants (jeans, chinos, dress pants and more) with inseams starting at 25 inches. Furthermore our pants are completely redesigned with shorter men in mind, from the rise, to the knee break, to the ankle opening, to the pocket placement.

Our most popular pants are our jeans. It makes sense because most men can wear jeans in every situation, even in more casual office environments. It’s the cornerstone of many men’s wardrobes. Ours are made with high quality denim and are available in a variety of washes and fits.

We encourage you to add a mix of chinos to your collection as well. Sometimes referred to as 'khakis' (a popular color), chinos can be worn in any situation where jeans can be worn; but are also easily dressed up a bit more, say with a button-up shirt and maybe a jacket. Available in a range of colors, in both slim and traditional fit, chinos can add a subtle brightening effect to your outfit.

The broad term 'dress pants' is often associated with more formal settings, but they actually can be worn with a crisp t-shirt and clean white sneakers too. Wool dress pants, for example, provide some variability in texture; and getting comfortable with combining dressier and casual pieces is an excellent way to be noticed without trying too hard. Our complete line of dress pants is available here.

At the other end of the spectrum, comfy, easy-going pants are also a must have. Our sweatpants and Everywhere Pants, made of tech fabric that doesn’t look too techy, have been best-sellers. It’s now more popular than ever to wear cozier style pants, and ours have the right fit for short men. Don’t miss out.

How Pants Should Fit on Shorter Men

Unfortunately, a lot of us think our inseam is 30 inches, because that’s just the shortest inseam available from most brands (and what we've been buying and living with most of our lives). Even a 29 inch inseam can make a major difference if you are under 5’9”. Everyone’s proportions are different, but ideally the bottom of your pants should sit right at the top of your shoes, with little or no break. 

Not only does a slight break create a more put-together look, excess fabric bunching up at the ankles (aka 'stacking') will make you look shorter. There’s no way around it, wearing pants that are too long (or too baggy) is simply unflattering. So be sure to measure and know your inseam when you shop for pants, and you’ll be off to a good start.

(As you can see, even slightly too much break can create a sloppy look)

Your waist should not be too tight, but tight enough that you’d still feel comfortable if you forgot your belt. If you feel confident wearing a slim fit, we encourage you to do so. Slimmer pants flatter short men, creating a sleeker silhouette. Some men prefer a more traditional wider cut, and that works well too. Ours are never too baggy or billowy though.

So now that you’ve discovered pants by Peter Manning NYC, have fun wearing a variety of looks that fit you well. Life is better when shorter guys don’t have to settle.

One of the most frustrating items in a wardrobe for short men is basic button up shirts--whether it's a button-up dress shirt or casual shirt. A proper-fitting shirt looks incredible on a man. It will accentuate his shoulders and chest, and flatter his natural proportions. That said, the margin for error is small. A button-up shirt that is too long, billowy or has sleeves that end at the knuckles makes a man look sloppy and unkempt. There’s no way around it.

Check our our model Erick wearing a medium shirt from another brand:

Fortunately, we've nailed the proper-fitting shirt for short guys here at Peter Manning NYC. Our proprietary system offers six sizes (ranging from 1-4XL) to fit a range of heights, weights and body types. Our shirts are made with the correct sleeve length; collar, cuff and pocket proportions; and body length. Not only do they fit well, but we’ve delivered a standard of quality, sourcing soft and durable fabrics, that will hold up over time. Others may not be able to pinpoint why you look good wearing one of our shirts, but the compliments will roll in, and we enjoy the subtleness of this effect.

How do you nail that sweet spot for fit?

Let’s start with the shoulders

Why? Getting this right is the key to projecting confidence. The shirt’s shoulder seams should sit just at the edge of your shoulders (right atop that bone) for a proper look. Don't let them droop over the shoulders and down your arm.

And now the sleeves

The sleeve length is crucial too, especially if you are wearing a suit jacket or sport coat over your shirt. The cuff should hit the base of your thumb, leaving no more than a half inch of cuff peeking from your jacket sleeve. A good general guideline is your jacket sleeve should end at your wrist bone. Our guys all-too-often are stuck with shirt sleeves hanging over the base of their hands - no good.

Photo by urbanmenoutfits.com

Body length

This aspect is probably the most critical to get right. If you are tucking in your shirt, the length can be longer, but not so long that you end up having excess material in your pants, which is uncomfortable and unflattering. Dress shirts shouldn't fit, well, like a dress! Peter Manning shirts are designed to stay comfortably tucked in and also allow for a smooth transition between the intersection of the shirt and the belt line. We don’t want that area of the body to look any wider than it is. Our 'hybrid hem' allows for these shirts to be worn untucked as well, without looking sloppy or too long. An untucked shirt shouldn't fall more than halfway down your backside.

We have three different designs to accommodate all looks, from dressed up to casual, and everything in between. See how far proper body length can take you!

The Chest

This dimension is relatively simple to gauge. The chest area should fit on the tighter side, but not so tight that it constrains your arm movement, is at all uncomfortable, or looks like the buttons are about to pop! 

The Body

We offer slim fit and classic fit shirts for short men. This takes into account both body type and age. We recommend that the body of a shirt be appropriately close to the body, but not hug your torso. 

To start improving your appearance, visit our online shop for shirts for short men.

The sweatshirt is one of the most dependable pieces in any man’s wardrobe. It’s more durable than a sweater and it’s easy to pair with jeans or chinos. Unfortunately for men who are 'Not-So-Tall,' quite often the sleeves and body length of sweatshirts are just too long.

We have solved this at Peter Manning NYC. We’ve designed and offer Hoodies (both pullover and zip-up) and Cotton Pullovers that fit men who are 5’8” and under very well. While our entire collection fits short men better in every regard, what’s most crucial for sweatshirts is that the sleeves aren’t too long. 

Start with the Classic Hoodie

A zip-front sweatshirt with a hood is a cold-weather must. The hood comes in handy when the winds kick up and you’ve forgotten your wool cap. The kangaroo pocket keeps your hands warm too.

Ours is made from high-quality 11 oz. cotton, which allows it to serve well as a standalone item or layered under a winter coat.

The most versatile option: the Cotton Pullover

Available in six colors, the Peter Manning Cotton Pullover is a very versatile item. You can pair it with a collared shirt for an office casual look, or simply wear it over a T-shirt.

Keep one ready for when the temperature drops, and it’s just enough to keep you warm. We’ve designed the hem to hang just right and, of course, our size options allow for the sleeves to hit just past your wrist bone, the perfect length.

Our coziest option

The tried-and-true basic hoodie is the perfect choice for days when you want to be ensconced in warm, soft cotton. For the most flattering look you want the sleeves to be short enough so they don’t bunch up, and the hem to fall just below the belt line.

The Pullover Hoodie works best for your most casual looks. One of our favorite ways to wear it is with our Lightweight Down Vest or Flatiron Vest (as pictured above).

Qualities to look for in a sweatshirt fit

Photo by ApeToGentleman.com

Make sure that the silhouette of the sweatshirt is fitted but not too tight. The shoulder lines of the garment should fall just at the outer edge of your shoulders like a suit jacket, not hang sloppily over the edge of your shoulders into your upper arm.

The chest should fit closely and allow for some room in the body. You don’t want it to cling to your ribs. 

Why we reproportion everything

It’s not enough to just shorten the sleeves and body length of a sweatshirt. Peter Manning has reconsidered the entire garment so that it fits well around the body and really feels natural when you move around.

Unfortunately, a lot of short guys are still trying to make a standard XS work for them, but that’s not going to cut it unless you are really thin. And even then, a single size option won’t accommodate variances in body types. Peter Manning offers six sizes to help you find your best fit. Check out our sweatshirts and sweaters and give yourself the gift of great fit.

Colder weather means bidding beach days and barbeques farewell. It means trading your mower for a rake and your night stargazing for days at the pumpkin patch. But, maybe most exciting for us, is breaking out layers.

If you’re like most guys, you’re probably used to sporting one, maybe two, layers. Shirt and jeans. Maybe a henley and chinos. If it’s really cold, maybe you’ll toss on a jacket too. When done right, layering means you’ll be looking your best while also leaving flexibility in case the weather takes a turn.

This Fall, try following our four steps to layering success.

1. Thinner fabrics and patterns go on first
2. Darker colors go on the outside
3. No more than three visible layers
4. Each layer should work on its own

Not all of these are hard and fast rules of course. A dark Quilted Vest can definitely work under a light field jacket as can a solid henley under an Everyday Flannel. Experimenting with what you find makes you look and feel best is ultimately key, but by following these 4 rules you will never be caught off guard.