In Short, Men's Clothes have come a long way- but would you say some things have come too far?

I'll admit it: I am a regular and avid reader of men's magazines.  Esquire. GQ.  It goes with the territory since my job requires I be "up to date" on the latest styles and trends.  But, the MORE important part of my job is to be able to adapt those styles and trends to real life and create clothes real men really want to wear and CAN wear, with comfort and confidence- and of course, in the correct sizes and fits. 

It's not uncommon, of course, to see a few "outlandish" things, that are actually kinda' cool and slowly you start to see them worn "on the street."  For example, I love that this season seems to be awash with bright color- from jeans, to socks, to hats- you name it.  For most of us though, these "trends" are incorporated in our wardrobes in more subtle ways.  A bright colored tie, or a T-shirt that pops worn under a more neutral V-neck sweater. Check out some examples below.

Orange & Blue- great for Spring (and fans of a certain Florida team...but I won't pick sides!) - available in short and tall tie lengths at ForTheFit.com

A bright, Spring-worthy trio of shorter-length ties, available in short men's clothing sizes at ForTheFit.com

It's Spring!  The latest trend: make it POP!  Try pairing a bright colored top with an equally Spring-hued sweater in a light silk, suitable for the season  (featured above: short men's proportioned fit top in Grass Green, 23.98, and silk blend short men's sweater in a perfect sky blue "Azure", 49.98; tall men's shirts are available,too.  Try our essential Tees and Polos in Tall Men's Clothing  Sizes, 8 colors from $16.99

But every now and again, a new trend surfaces that leaves me scratching my head.  Take the new "man bags" flooding the marketplace.  Oversized, Mary-Poppins inspired things with straps so short they require the bag be carried by hand.  Beautiful leathers and charming shapes abound, I grant you- but really?  They seem uncomfortable and conspicuous to me.  Modern life requires wheels to move swiftly through the airport.  Easy to open bags from which you can swiftly remove your laptop at security checkpoints.  A bag you can sling on your back or shoulder so you can also manage the newspaper, coffee mug, phone, keys or other slew of items you need both hands to handle at any given time.  Theses new (or old?  they are vintage inspired!) bags just don't seem practical.  Then again, I am not a man and perhaps you guys have been limited to messenger bags and backpacks for far too long.  Are you ready for a change? In short, men's clothes has come a long way, but would you say it's gone too far?  I'd love to hear some opinions- what do you all thing of the new men's "travel" bags and overnighters?

Yours through thick, thin, (and  tall & short men's clothing!)  =)

-Consuelo Bova,
CEO, ForTheFit.com for short men's clothing and tall men's clothes- slim or stout

New Australian Study Confirms with Height come Higher Wages

A new Australian study confirms U.S. findings from a few years past that taller people (men and women) earn higher wages than their shorter counterparts. This was found to be true across the board- various industries, professions,levels, etc. How much so? To the tune of an extra 4 inches in men lead to wages about 3% (or one year of experience) higher. You can find the article here, courtesy of Yahoo and the AP.

How to combat this issue? Dress Taller! It has always been our philosophy at ForTheFit.com, that the key for shorter men is to dress to maximize your height and visually lengthen your frame (giving the impression of greater height). In the current economy and job market, given this new research- it literally pays to dress taller and make a better first impression on your interviewer.

A few tips:
1) Keep your suit simple and in a dark color- black is always best.
2) Subtle, vertical pinstripes (can be monochromatic) are an added plus because they will visually lengthen your frame.
3) Keep your tie simple & slim to add inches as well
4) Skip heels or lifts- they can be more comical than effective.
5) Match shoes and socks to trouser to lengthen

Good Luck!

C. Bova, CEO

The Meaasure of a Man: A resource for the ladies...

Taking measurements is a fairly simple process- a soft measuring tape and some basic instructions is all you need. But, measuring the man in your life requires a little more- more permission, more convincing...

"I thought size didn't matter..."
It is if you want to buy clothes that fit so that you look your best. Specifically, you want your guy to look his best ( a well-dressed man can be an excellent accessory!)

"But he hates shopping..."
He won't once he knows his actual size. Knowing his actual size will make it easier (and therefore more fun) to shop. A bonus: If you know his size, it will be easier for you to shop & buy him gifts.

Tell him he has your permission to have a Fit...

Start at the top and working your way down. Don’t forget to write everything down as you go so he’ll have the list for later.

1. Collar size: Simply measure around the base of his neck. If he intends to wear the shirt with a tie, the shirt size selected should closely match his exact collar measurement. However, a shirt to be worn without a tie may be purchased slightly larger (by about a 1/2 size) for comfort and a more casual look.


2. Chest size: Have him relax his arms at his sides and measure around the fullest part of his chest with the tape measure just below his armpits.


3. Overarm Measurement: Measure the circumference of his chest and arms (at the highest point of his shoulder blades). Subtract chest measurement from his overarm measurement. This measurement can be useful when buying a jacket or sportcoat- if the difference is 7 inches or greater, we recommend buying jackets one size larger for comfort and a better fit in the upper arms and shoulders.


4. Arm: Have him bend his elbow 90 degrees and place his hand on his hip. Stand behind him and hold the tape at the center back of his neck. Measure across his shoulder to his elbow, and down to his wrist. The total length in inches is his sleeve length.


5. Waist: Measure loosely (so he can breath) around his natural waistline. Many men wear trousers well below the natural waist, under the belly if they carry extra weight around the mid-section- but this can actually make him look heavier than he actually is. For belts, choose a size 1-2 inches larger than his actual waist size.


6. Rise: Rise refers to the distance between the top of a trouser’s waistband and the top of the trouser leg’s inseam (at the crotch). Measure his favorite (and best fitting) pants by measuring along the trouser's seam , or start from scratch (especially if his pants are too tight or too baggy through the buttocks, crotch and thighs). Guys under 5'9" often benefit from short rise pants.


7. Inseam: An inseam can be measured using a pair of pants that fit well (see ForTheFit.com's Style Guide for tips on perfect length). Measure from the crotch seam (where all the fabric meets), down the pant leg all the way to the end. If he does not have a pair of pants of the proper length right now, you’ll need at least pants that fit properly in the waist. From those you can judge where you want the pants to stop. Proper length may vary whether your man is wearing jeans or crisp dress pants, but never by more than an inch and a half. Also, you will want to take the inseam for each leg if you want to have custom pants made because the length may not be the same for each leg. Lastly, if his current trousers are regular rise and you are considering a switch to short rise, keep in mind that the new placement of the crotch will affect the inseam length- adjust accordingly.

And if he's really stubborn...

• Remind him how much more fun it could be taking measurements with you, than visiting his tailor- Earl


• Bribe him- a favorite meal, a massage, whatever it takes!


• Swap- he can take your measurements next. It can't hurt (too many women are slaves to the number on the tag- it's important to know your size, too- Plus, how much better will it be when his gifts to you are actually the right size.)


• Because you said so.


• Feeling frisky? Offer to take measurements... wearing nothing but the measuring tape. We doubt he'll say no.

Good luck (& Better Fit)!

Resource: "Men's Wardrobe and the Size Solution" About.com

Check out this video by stylist Kim Johnson Gross at About.com- it offers a few great tips for the various hard-to-fit sizes and shapes of Men- Big & Tall, Shorter Men, etc.

http://video.about.com/mensfashion/Men-s-Wardrobe-Size-Solutions.ht

Enjoy!

-C. Bova, CEO

If the sock fits...": The Do's and Don'ts of this highly Misunderstood Men's Accessory

...then buy it in every color!

Men don't often give much thought to their hosiery purchases, until of course it's halfway through some insufferable meeting and you notice your socks are slipping and your feet hurt from the misplaced seams- or perhaps on a walk, when you stop to adjust your socks every few steps. Sound familiar? Then read on!


FIT & QUALITY: Stepping in...
Half Sizes, Widths...when buying shoes, you look for a perfect fit. Yet, socks are only offered in these wide ranges that suggest that you can wear the same footwear as a man who wears a shoe 3 sizes larger than you. The retail industry has determined that the "average" shoe size is 10-12 and creates socks accordingly. However, if you were smaller than a 10 or larger than a 12, you may find fit to be a problem. Men with smaller feet often shop the boy's department for dress and casual socks, finding the low price irresistable. But the quality is poor, so socks have to be replaced with such frequency that any savings disappear. Others simply buy socks that are too large and tuck under the toe, leading to foot pains, itching, or just plain discomfort. Former shoe salesperson A. Bridge reveals, "I can tell you that no matter what those sock packages claim, men under a size 8 won't fit into a 10-13 sock size without rolling or tucking – and they aren't happy about it. Also, Men with larger feet shop store after store looking for socks with heels that actually reach the end of their foot."

Instead, find socks that fit your foot. For larger shoe sizes (13+), try specialty retailers, such as
JayStevens.com, which offer socks in larger size ranges. For smaller feet (shoe size less than 10), FortheFit.com offers premium Men's socks in size small, to fit shoe sizes 5-9.

Quality matters, too. The hallmark of quality socks and hosiery are the seam, material and workmanship. Face it, men's socks get used and abused- you literally walk all over them. Invest in quality hosiery that offers a hand-linked toe-seam for an exceptionally smooth join, and premium fibers (which hold-up better wash-after-wash, wear-after-wear).

STYLE: Stepping Out
Now that you've found socks to fit you, here are a few style tips to make sure your feet don't offend...

• The color of your socks should match the color of your pants, not your shoes. However, the color is preferably not exact unless you wear black pants.


• Your sock drawer should include at least two each of the basics: black socks for dress, blue for jeans, a color close to khaki and athletic socks


• Athletic Socks are for the Gym only. Period.


• With shorts, wear nothing higher than an Ankle sock. With long pants, wear socks high enough that you expose no leg when you sit.


• Colorful and patterned socks are great for adding a little extra pizazz to your wardrobe, but keep this in mind: the more colorful your outfit the more toned down your socks should be. Avoid looking like you stepped out of a work by Andy Warhol.


• Socks + Sandals = Oil + Water - they never go together.

Announcing the ForTheFit.com Annual Inventory Clearance Sale

As most of you know, we don't discount but once a year. It is that time again- we are clearing out inventory. This is a collection of best-selling items that sold all but a few units or a last couple of sizes- so we deeply discount to make room for the new Fall Inventory. The savings are HUGE- over 75% off in some cases. New products are added daily so check back often. In fact, just today, we added some spectacular deals on men's suits- some are sized for shorter men 5'9" & under, but others are available in a variety of sizes including men's Short, Regular, & Long Lengths. Check out the Ben Sherman Tux Jacket for less that $100- that is a steal.

Also, there is a coupon code on the homepage so that you can take an additional 10% off ANY ITEM IN THE STORE!

Hurry & Shop today before they run out (or I change my mind & fire the person who priced that Jacket so low!!! Just Kidding!)

Happy Shopping,

C. Bova