Dress for Your Shape

When they're not falling for the latest trend (guilty), most women know what looks good on their bodies and how to conceal their less-than-perfect parts. Though men's clothing doesn't have as much variety, there are still plenty of ways to put your best features forward. Here's how:

If you're tall: Steer clear of anything cropped, since shorter pants will only emphasize the length of your legs. Ditto for jackets, unless you like the Pee-wee Herman look. Jackets and blazers that rest just below the hip work best because they won't add any extra height or width to your frame. The good news is that you can get away with a variety of patterns, since you have a lot of space to work with. Just steer clear of monochromatic looks, which will only make you appear taller.

If you're short: I often stress the importance of having a go-to tailor who can make your clothes fit as if they were made for you. But this statement is even more important if you're vertically challenged. If you have a short stature, wearing something that's even an inch longer than it should be will make you look like you're borrowing your dad's pants. As for patterns, try thin stripes, which will lengthen your frame. And stick to smaller plaids, since bigger, bolder plaids can swallow you up.

If you have short legs: Avoid low rises, since you don't want to make your legs look any shorter. I know for the past decade it seems that rises have gotten low and stayed there, but there are still plenty of higher rises around if you look. Be sure to wear them tucked in, which will give your legs as much length as possible.

If you have long legs: In your case, low-rise pants are your friend. Always wear pants at your hips, not at your waist. As long as you don't wear pants that are belted above the hip, you won't highlight your lower half. Whenever possible, try crew or v-neck knits so you won't draw attention to where your waist falls.

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