5 Steps to Better Dressing

A few tips from the resident expert in dressing hard-to-find sizes (particularly petite men and women), Consuelo Bova, CEO of online, specialty retailer and apparel manufacturing company ForTheFit.com:

1) KNOW YOUR SIZE: Fit makes a tremendous difference in our overall appearance. Small, ill-fitting or oversized clothing can make for a very underwhelming first impression. Don’t fixate on the size you think you are, the size you want to be, or even the size tag itself (it’s often wrong or purposely misrepresented for marketing purposes). Instead, learn to take your measurements and judge clothes according to their size and fit to your body.

2) KNOW YOUR STYLE: The latest magazines and celebrity style are a great place to start, but ultimately the clothes buy and wear need to be right for you, your personal style and body type. Reference the latest trends to keep your style current, but make sure to adapt your choices to suit the best styles for your body and personality.

3) KNOW YOUR STORE: We should all have a “store.” The place that in a pinch, you know you can quickly find the right styles for your taste, in your sizes, and in your price range. Get to know the staff. Knowledgeable and friendly staff at a store worth visiting and spending your money at will alert you when the best items for you hit the shelf so you have your best pick of sizes and styles. Identify what that store is for you- it is a great way to build the foundation to a great new wardrobe and maintain it. Visit other stores mostly for your wardrobe “spice” .

4) KNOW YOUR COLOR: Don’t underestimate the importance of wearing the right colors for your skin tone and hair. The wrong shade of a color can wash you out and ruin an otherwise great looking and well-fitting outfit. Learn what your best colors are and stick to them. Again if the trendy color is not “your color,” don’t wear it- just adjust the “trend” to a different shade that does work for you.

5) ASK AN HONEST FRIEND: We all need an honest fashion friend and shopping companion. A person that will tell you the painful truth about whether an outfit suits you or not. In exchange for their invaluable services, promise not to be hurt by their critiques, okay?

Good luck and great clothes,

C. Bova, CEO ForTheFit.com

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.

Congratulations to the 2008 Short Man of Style...

We are proud to announce that a winner has been selected for this year's Short Man of Style competition. Sponsored by ForTheFit.com, National Short Man of Style Month occurs each year in June. As part of this yearly celebration “of men under 5’9” who stand tall & look great,” ForTheFit.com sponsors a competition to seek out the Nation’s most stylish shorter man. In addition to fashionable and under 5'9", he should be an over-achiever in life- i.e. with family, friends, career, and community. Contestant’s had to send in a photograph of themselves looking their most fashionable, as well as a short essay explaining why they were in fact this year’s best choice for National Short Man of Style. The grand prize, a new wardrobe from ForTheFit.com worth approximately $750, generated significant interest in the competition and picking a winner this year from the many qualified entrants was a tough job.

So who won? You'll need to visit www.ShortMenofStyle.com to find out! (or check back in a few weeks- when I'll profile him here on my blog).

- Connie

For more information visit www.FortheFit.com and www.ShortMenofStyle.com.

Happy Father's Day!

It's not an easy job, and often it's a thankless one- but you're doing an amazing job! Your love, patience and support is helping to raise another great generation.

"Thank You" to all of the great father's among us!

-Consuelo Bova, CEO of ForTheFit.com


Happy Father's Day
from our ForTheFit.com family
to yours.



CFO of ForTheFit.com, Jeffrey D. Bova and Son share a quiet moment at the Beach


A Father's Day Gift for you...

He looks up to you- so make sure you look good! Fathers save 10% on all purchases at ForTheFit.com this week. Simply enter coupon code fd2008 at checkout.

Stuck for Father's Day Gift Ideas? Unique and Thoughtful Gifts Abound Online

In case it has slipped your mind, FATHER'S DAY is June 15th 2008! That's right around the corner!

Shopping for Father’s Day should be a cinch, since you know better than anyone what makes your Dad unique. The trouble is coming up with ideas for gifts as special as he is! My simple two-step process should solve this little dilemma. Plus, if you use web-resources, you may find some quick decisions and expedited delivery options will put the perfect gift in your hands (and on its way to Dad) in time for June 15th!

First, identify your Dad's unique "Likes"


For the sports fiend...tickets to a beloved sporting event, or to see a favorite team play are always appreciated. If your budget allows, use a ticket broker like StubHub.com to find the best seats you can afford. Also, consider minor league and similar, local sporting events. Tickets to a minor league or training season game can be really inexpensive and just as much fun!

For the food or sugar junkie... Use the web to identify unique gifts he will enjoy. For example, a Dad who loves chocolate, may appreciate personalized M&M’s – you pick the color, the message (hint: try something like “#1 Dad” for Father's Day), quantity and packaging for a unique gift in a variety of price ranges to suit any budget. Also, if Dad happens to be a baseball fan, M&M’s has just introduced a line of Major League Baseball candies in team colors and logos. Does he have a favorite, hard-to-find confection? Dad may appreciate a gift a gift of his favorite childhood sweets. From Atomic Fireballs to “Big Hunk” bars, you can find most any candy at Nostalgic Candy.com. Also, many unique, small businesses deliver their wares nationwide (beware of high delivery fees, though). My husband often waxed poetic about the ice cream sold on campus at his alma mater, Penn State. A quick Google search revealed I could have a pint of his favorite “Creamery” flavor delivered overnight to Florida for a special Father’s Day treat!

Ties , shirts, pens and mugs... classic Father’s Day gifts can be a fine option, but look for new and clever versions specially suited to your Dad. Is Dad left-handed? Big & Tall? A Shorter Man? Online specialty stores may reveal a wealth of creative options for Dad this Father’s Day. Enter your Dad’s special characteristics into your favorite search engine and see what you find. For example, a search on Google.com of “left-handed products” to find dozens of specialty retailers like Left Hand Zone which offer a variety of great products for left-handed Dads, including the usual like mugs and pens, and so much more. Searches for “Big & Tall Men’s Clothes” and ”Short Men’s Clothes” will find you specialty retailers that offer shirts, ties and other classic gifts, except specially proportioned in your Dad’s own hard-to-find size. Solutions.com is another great site, full of unique finds, whatever the hobby or specialized need.

Step 2: Take your TIME and use you imagination
Combine the above ideas with the gift of your time for a sure-fire hit. Is Dad a left-handed golf enthusiast? Find him a left-handed club, glove or other specialized gear. In addition to your gift, offer to spend an hour with him at the driving range. For the baseball lover, offer to spend an afternoon at a Minor League game. Gift-wrap the tickets together with some cool, retro candy like Major League Chew gum! Buy your 5’7 Dad a pair of perfect-fitting, short-inseam sweats at ForTheFit.com, and offer to accompany him on a few morning jogs. You get the idea- be creative! Your unique gift will let Dad know how much you know and respect who he is, and most of all, that you love him and want to spend time with him on Father’s Day. What better gift is there than that?

Good luck shopping and enjoy your Father's Day,

Consuelo Bova,

CEO, ForTheFit.com

As SEEN In... ForTheFit.com and Short Men's Clothing have become quite the hot topics!

First of all - today is June 1st, so HAPPY "SHORT MEN OF STYLE" MONTH! Remember to celebrate by looking your best the whole month long! Also, have you entered yourself in the National Short Man of Style 2008 competition yet? If not, you have 2 more weeks to enter for a chance to win a whole new wardrobe from ForTheFit.com. For details, read my last blog entry, or check out the official contest website at ShortMenofStyle.com

It has been a busy few months for short men's clothing in general, and ForTheFit.com in particular. We have been quite lucky to be featured in some phenomenal publications and to help generate some interest and awareness to this issue of short men's fashion.

Most recently, in response to a reader question in the popular "Ask Teri" fashion column of the Wall Street Journal, our own C.F.O. Jeff Bova was interviewed by Teri Agins. To read the question & answer, click here:
Ask Teri: Finding Clothes that Fit Well.

There has also been a lot of interest in me personally in my roles as CEO of men's e-tailer ForTheFit.com, wife and mom. On, May 22, '08, Entrepreneur.com's "WomenEntrepreneur.com" featured a great, enriching story by Lena West full of great tips about how to escape overflowing e-mail inboxes using some simple methods and new technology. She even included some of my own simple methods for managing the sometimes overwhelming contents of a CEO's inbox. Click here to read Escaping E-Mail Overload by Lena West. There are a few other stories in the pipeline, I'll post when they are published.

Our products themselves have also received some great press. We have added some earth-friendly, eco-fashion proportioned for the shorter, slimmer man. Customer's have responded quite favorably to our Alternative Apparel T-shirts and Jackets, and so has the Press. Our Eco-Heather T-shirts from Alternative Apparel were featured in Lisa Neff's May 3, 2008 article Earth Duds for Earth Day in the Chicago Free Press. This came on the heels of a feature about our women's and men's short-length (inseam) sweats and athletic pants in the Orlando Sentinel's Style Section, Fashion Focus: Dress Up, Dress Down by Jean Patteson.

Also, CNN recently ran a story about short men's fashion, which was picked up on the wires and published in papers throughout the country. All in all, it has been a phenomenal few months for shorter men's fashion and we are so pleased. Thank you to the reader's and viewers out there for their interest and to the members of the press for their help in bringing this topic to life and raising awareness!

- Consuelo Bova,

CEO, ForTheFit.com

Dear Fashion Advice Guru Guy: "Custom" is the easy answer, but not the only answer for shorter men's clothes

In this job, I read men's magazines regularly as if they were academic texts. As a woman in the men's clothing business- it is one of the ways in which I can get educated in the industry, the customer, & more. There are a few of the major men's mags that I have to say- I LOVE THEM. Great, ironic, sarcastic writing about any number of relevant (and sometimes not so relevant- but funny) topics.

The one thing that doesn't work for me, though, is the Q&A section which is a part of nearly every major men's publication. You know- men write in and ask a question about life or style and some allegedly knowledgeable fellow (or lady!) gives them an answer.
I have read questions submitted by shorter men many times- where to find shorter shoes, smaller shirts, a suit that fits, etc. The answers make me furious.

Small shoes? One writer suggested a custom shoemaker for upwards of $900 for the first pair. Dress shirts that don't wear like a dress because they are so long in the tails (and everywhere else for that matter)? "Go see a tailor" is the most common answer.

So since it makes me so darn mad, here is my answer once and for all:

1. "Custom" is a great solution if you can afford it. But, too many of us can't. And don't confuse those mail-away custom shirt options as the real deal in men's tailored, custom apparel (known as "bespoke"). If you haven't been measured by a living, breathing tailor, you may well be quite unhappy with the product that arrives in the mail.

2. Tailoring - for a dress shirt, this is rarely a good option, nor is it a fair one for shorter men. It's like a little tax (pun intended). I face the same problem as a shorter woman (I'm 5'1")- I that I can rarely buy an item off the rack without having to factor in the time and money to get an item tailored. Plus, as my own tailor (a specialist in men's apparel- and now a friend, seeing as how I see him so often!) explained, taking up the tail is one thing, but once you start shortening the sleeves or bringing them in if they are too bunchy, taking in the shirt at the sides for a more modern, trim fit, etc.- it gets to be too much. You're basically reconstructing the shirt. The cost is high and even with the best tailor, the results are not ideal. For example- if you take in the sleeves to make them trimmer, it can create bunching in the shoulders- almost like the poufy sleeves in a period film). Or, the pocket placement is ll wrong because the pocket is too big and in the wrong spot for all the places you've taken in the shirt.

3. Find a shirt that fits off the rack. The Classix brand manufactures shirts specially proportioned for the shorter man- shorter tails, smaller pockets in the proper place on the chest, shorter sleeve lengths and an overall trimmer fit. In the coming months, ForTheFit.com will be offering some additional brands that offer the smaller men's proportions. I'll publish an update to this post when the new products arrive. If length is not an issue for you because you have a longer torso and arms, then be on the lookout for brands that cut their dress shirts in a slimmer silhouette. The magic words to look for on the package? "Trim" "Tailored Fit" "Slim Fit" "Modern Fit" - Try brands like Ben Sherman or even Lands End. These lines may still require shortening of the sleeves and tails, but at least the overall fit will lose some of the blousiness it is so hard for the tailor to take away.

Get That Look : Celeb Style for Shorter Men

Contrary to popular belief, all male celebs are not tall. There are quite a few shorter male celebs. Why don't we notice how short they are? Camera magic, for one. But the other reason is style- whether by natural talent or talented stylist, these guys dress to make the most of their best features, and visually add inches to their frames. How to accomplish this short men celebrity style? At a price you can afford, no less?? Here's my suggestion...

This week's candidate: Seth Green

Height: 5' 3.5" (per celebheights.com)

Why?: He has size and proportion down to an art, and is "Master of the Monochrome"

Green knows how to work events and the red carpet by making use of proper proportion and monochromatic colors. Check him out at the Emmy Awards this year. black tux jacket and skinny trousers, black suit and skinny black tie. At the Nov. '07 premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures "Fred Claus," Green rocks the red carpet in a pair of skinny, charcoal trousers and tailored black dress shirt.

The key to these looks? The dark, monochromatic silhouette makes the most of his slim, shorter frame by creating one long line, visually adding inches. More importantly, notice his sleeves, hem length on the trousers, the slim fit of the trousers, tux jacket, and the black dress shirt- This man's clothes FIT. Oversized items or too-long sleeves, jacket and pant lengths just make a person look shorter than their actual height.

Get the Look: In your Size and on your Budget

Look for clothing, particularly dress shirts and trousers, labeled "trim fit" or "tailored fit."

1) The Pants: BananaRepublic.com offers a good selection of items in slim fits, including flat front, slim fitting charcoal trousers ($129) in a regular rise, inseam 30"+ (online only). ForTheFit.com offers charcoal trousers for the Seth Green style in short rise, slim, flat front styles in various price points (Ben Sherman,$99 ; Berle, $75) - inseams from 26" to 30"+.

2) The Shirt: Keep an eye on the fit through the torso (a modern dress shirt should be worn close to the body- forget the blousiness so popular a decade ago. One option is to buy off the rack and have the shirt taken in at the waist, and sleeves shortened by a tailor as needed. Another option is to buy a slim-fitting or proportioned dress shirt. For the Green look, try a Ben Sherman Tailored Collection dress shirt in Black or Charcoal ($69-$89) . Or, try a Classix dress shirt, $30, in Silver Gray (BONUS: sleeves are available starting at 30"- no need to tailor).

3) The Tux Jacket & Tie: For a trendy, slim fitting, tux jacket- try the Ben Sherman Velvet Tux Blazer, sale $179. For a more casual jacket, the Ben Sherman Hammerite Heavy Metal Blazer, $179 (try pairing with jeans). The Tie? Easy- Stephen J. Sotnick is the celeb favorite for the skinny black tie (from $18), and it is a few inches shorter than industry average (perfect for the shorter guy!).

Good luck and happy shopping,

Consuelo Bova,
C.E.O. of ForTheFit.com,
"The Nation's Premier Short Men's Clothing Retailer"

Low-Rise vs Short Rise?

I get this question (or some version of it) all the time: I bought low-rise jeans and they were HUGE on my waist- I measured them and they were INCHES bigger than the labeled size. What gives? and why should I consider short rise, then anyway?

I figured since I mentioned our new, true "short rise" jean in my last post, it would be as good a time as any to address the issue.

What is Short-Rise?
Many shorter men complain that when they were trousers, they experience bagginess and bunching in the crotch that is both uncomfortable and looks unprofessional. The problem is usually easily resolved by purchasing the proper rise. Rise refers to the measurement from crotch to waist. Most pants available off the rack are “regular rise” (11 inches or more, based on a size 34 waist pant). This can be too much for men under 5’9”, many of which are actually short rise (10 inches or less for a size 34 waist pant). The shorter rise is what eliminates all of the bagging and bunching at the crotch, front or back.

What is Low-Rise?
There are many pants in stores today labeled low rise. This is not to be confused with short rise. Low rise simply means that the pant sits below the natural waist. The rise on these pants would be the distance from the crotch to the imaginary waist (ie where the waist would be if not lobbed off so the pants sit lower than the waist). They are sized based on the imaginary waist, but the measurement at the band may be an inch or two larger. Therefore, if you have a short rise, the fit may be awkward, since the pants will likely rest at your natural waist and be an inch or two larger than the labeled waist size. One tip, try on a size or two smaller than you typically wear, or search for a manufacturer whose jeans are naturally cut shorter in the rise, such as Silver Jeans.


That is whay we carry so many short-rise products. They are often the best solution for shorter men. In fact, it's the best thing you didn't know you needed (so say many of my customers when they by our khakis and find that for the first time ever- lo and behold they love the way they look and feel in their pants! Check out our testimonials).

The unfortunate part is that true short-rise pants are hard to find in regular department stores or mall stores (who do stock regular and long-rise !!!) and pants can't be altered by a tailor to be short rise, either! The specialty retailer is one way to go. An online retailer specializing in short men's apparel, like ForTheFit.com - will probably offer the best selection.

Best,
C