I'm a shorter guy (around 5'6'') and on the thinner side, and I've been having a hard time finding shirts that fit me (or that I at least think fit me). Today I bought three polo shirts and two dress shirts, buying size "S" (the smallest men's size) when I could (these are American sizes, if that makes a difference). I tried on one of my size "S" cotton polos, and to me it looks too long (the hem of the shirt extends lower than the split in my pants). I didn't think I was that short a guy. I guess my options are to either shrink the shirts or tuck them in when I wear them (the latter of which I'm not sure I want to do because this seems a little nerdy to me). About shrinking the shirts, though, I'm afraid of doing so too much, because then the shirt might be too small, and I wouldn't be able to take it back. Can someone give me a general rule on how much cotton shirts shrink in the washer and dryer (e.g. how much when on the highest heat setting on both the washer and the dryer)?
Casablanca
Casablanca:
Cotton "normally" shrinks about 2% in normal washing/drying. You might be able to increase this with extra drying. But it's proportional - meaning the longer lengths will shrink more. (clear?)
A good source for small men's sizes is Jimmy Au's store in Beverly Hills (e-mail Alan).
They have a website on the way:
https://www.jimmyaus.com/collection.html
Plus there must be some other websites. ??
Cotton "normally" shrinks about 2% in normal washing/drying. You might be able to increase this with extra drying. But it's proportional - meaning the longer lengths will shrink more. (clear?)
A good source for small men's sizes is Jimmy Au's store in Beverly Hills (e-mail Alan).
They have a website on the way:
https://www.jimmyaus.com/collection.html
Plus there must be some other websites. ??
When Polos don't fit
I'm honored Andy recommended us. First, I do not recommend doing any kind of EXTREME shrinking. While the body may shrink a tad bit more, things like woven collars, sleeve bands and plackets and stitched insignias and the like will not. It may cause undo puckering. Besides ordering from our store because you'd fit off-the-rack, I recommend taking your polos through a regular hot washing with regular heat drying. Then, have a tailor hem the bottom to the appropriate length. This option is more reliable.
Take advantage of the current trim fit fashion trend. Many stores/brands are providing a trimmer cut. Lengths of hems are easy to fix compared to a fuller cut body. Once full cuts come back in, you will be left with very few options.
Best regards,
Alan Au
Jimmy Au's For Men 5'8" and Under
9408 Brighton Way
Beverly Hills, Ca 90210
(310) 888-8708
I'm honored Andy recommended us. First, I do not recommend doing any kind of EXTREME shrinking. While the body may shrink a tad bit more, things like woven collars, sleeve bands and plackets and stitched insignias and the like will not. It may cause undo puckering. Besides ordering from our store because you'd fit off-the-rack, I recommend taking your polos through a regular hot washing with regular heat drying. Then, have a tailor hem the bottom to the appropriate length. This option is more reliable.
Take advantage of the current trim fit fashion trend. Many stores/brands are providing a trimmer cut. Lengths of hems are easy to fix compared to a fuller cut body. Once full cuts come back in, you will be left with very few options.
Best regards,
Alan Au
Jimmy Au's For Men 5'8" and Under
9408 Brighton Way
Beverly Hills, Ca 90210
(310) 888-8708
I hear ya
I am 5'5" and have had some problems with shirts. One thing you might consider is start working out. I went from a small to a large in a polo shirt after two years of weightlifting. As for dress shirts, I've had good luck w/ Lands' End since they offer exact sleeve lengths and tapered cuts.
I am 5'5" and have had some problems with shirts. One thing you might consider is start working out. I went from a small to a large in a polo shirt after two years of weightlifting. As for dress shirts, I've had good luck w/ Lands' End since they offer exact sleeve lengths and tapered cuts.
Here is a website of a Canadian retailer that caters to this market. They will also ship internationally.
www.shortmanbrowns.com
www.shortmanbrowns.com
I'm also 5'6". Although I have no problems with polo shirts, I have pretty much given up on the idea of buying a jacket or a shirt off the rack.
Drying cotton is unpredictable. Good quality dress shirts should shrink hardly at all, while a cheap cotton t-shirt might shrink a size. (In general, you'll get better mileage out of your shirts if you don't put them in the dryer). Instead of tucking them in or trying to shrink to fit, have a seamstress or tailor hem the bottom as Alan Au suggested. If you don't want to go MTM, Express and Banana Republic make slim fit dress shirts that are truly slim fit; the latter is pretty good value if you can catch a sale.
I'm also 5'6" and have the build of Charles Hawtrey from the Carry On films. (in centre of pic
I long ago gave up trying to buy suits or jackets off the peg, which is ok because it introduced me to the world of bespoke and M2M.
Oddly though, on a recent trip to the US, I found quite a few polo shirts (Ralph Lauren etc) going really cheap that fitted me, in a shop called Ross Dress For Less. They seem to sell end of lines and seconds, and I wonder if it's because Americans are generally so huge that small sizes just don't sell?
I long ago gave up trying to buy suits or jackets off the peg, which is ok because it introduced me to the world of bespoke and M2M.
Oddly though, on a recent trip to the US, I found quite a few polo shirts (Ralph Lauren etc) going really cheap that fitted me, in a shop called Ross Dress For Less. They seem to sell end of lines and seconds, and I wonder if it's because Americans are generally so huge that small sizes just don't sell?
haha. I just bought a BB Boy's tennis sweater vest. I'm 5'7, normally wear a 36S. Both the L and XL fit me. It's much cheaper than Men's tennis sweater vest.
Don't buy Polo's sportshirts. their sizing is inconsistant and changes every year. I bought a "small" years ago, man, it's HUGE! The custom fit sportshirts fit much better, but the sleeves are like 33-34, way too long. Go for shirts that are sizing exactly (by neck and sleeve).
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