Dress Your Body Type: Tall

• What You Need To Know
• In the West, men who are 6'3" or taller are considered "tall."
• Favor straight-leg trousers, two-button blazers and don't forget to have clothes tailored.
• Avoid wearing the same color head to toe - break you body up with color and pattern.

"In the West, men whose height is 6'3" or taller are considered to be tall."

Click here to follow AskMen Fashion on Twitter.

This article marks the third installment in our Dress Your Body Type series. For more, check out our advice for large body types, skinny body types and short body types.

Although added inches generally confer advantages in the wardrobe department, men with tall body types nevertheless face certain challenges in dressing their best. Here we review how clothes should fit and which colors and patterns tall men should include in their wardrobes to really make the most of their appearance. And so that you know exactly what to buy on your next shopping trip, we’re also supplying you with a checklist of wardrobe must-haves for tall guys.

A tall body type defined

In the West, men whose height is 6'3" or taller are considered to be tall, whereas in other parts of the world, anything beyond 5'11" is perceived as tall. This body type might also be large (as in "big and tall") or it might be very lean.

Pros and cons of dressing a tall body

For men who have a lean build or an average amount of muscle mass, being tall is a huge pro as clothing hangs better on taller individuals, which means you can wear just about anything and look great. Additionally, most societies tend to view extra inches as an advantage for males and women often find tall men extremely attractive, so if you know how to dress yourself stylishly, your professional and interpersonal success will skyrocket. In fact, the only real downside to being tall is that if you’re on the extreme end of the spectrum, it can be difficult to find clothes that are long enough for your body.

dress your body type: the guide

Fit

Two general rules apply to fit when dressing a tall body. First, avoid clothing that is oversize as it will hang off your body strangely. Also, skip anything that is extremely fitted as it will make you appear awkward if you have a large build or like a beanpole if you’re slender.

When specifically considering the top half of the body, there are a few supplementary guidelines men with tall bodies can follow to enhance their appearance. Dress shirts must absolutely be long enough to tuck into your pants, even if you’re not in the habit of wearing your shirts that way. It can be tricky to find longer shirts, but failure to do so will mean you risk looking like a big kid.

Cropped jackets will have a similar effect on you as they will make your body appear disproportionate by emphasizing the length of your legs. Instead, opt for jackets and blazers that end just below the hip as this length adds neither height nor width to your frame. You should also know that blazers with two buttons are a better choice for you as three-button blazers will further elongate your body. For tall dudes with an average-to-lean build, double-breasted jackets are extremely flattering. As well, coats that fall just below the knee, particularly belted models, will really command respect on a tall frame.

Straight-leg trousers and jeans rather than tapered or boot-cut bottoms look best on tall bodies, though when you’re tall bottoms should always be tried on prior to purchasing in order to ensure that their inseam is long enough to cover the top part of your shoe (try labels like Rock and Republic to find 36” inseams). Go with mid-rise jeans if you’re heavier and low-rise jeans if you’re slim, but steer clear of high-waisted jeans (tall hipsters, take note).
  
A final point with regard to fit concerns tailoring: When you’re tall, having your formal wear adjusted to suit your height is nonnegotiable.

Read on for more tips on how to dress a tall body type.

Colors and patterns

Fortunately, when you’re tall, there are not nearly as many rules to adhere to in terms of color and pattern compared with other body types. In other words, you can wear virtually whatever you please. Do, however, mix up colors in your ensembles. For example, don’t wear black head to toe as it will create the illusion of extra height -- and that's not something you need.

Contrasting colors will break you up visually, so pair pants and shirts of different colors together and contrast your footwear with your pants too. To balance out your shape in terms of height and breadth, vertical stripes will help as research has now shown that vertical stripes can make objects appear wider than their actual size (contrary to popular belief). Lastly, men with large statures should feel free to experiment with prints, although big patterns will look better on you than smaller ones.

dress your best: more tips

Generally speaking, tall men of average weight look best in wide accessories. That means, for example, that thicker belts and ties are more visually pleasing on your body than skinny accessories. When it comes to other accessories, such as hats, don't be afraid to try them out. Even though it will make you appear slightly taller, a hat adds a personal touch to an outfit -- just remember to ask your barber for a hairstyle that’s not too voluminous. On your feet, thin-soled shoes are the optimal choice for tall men as you obviously don’t need a heel. What’s more, square- or round-toe shoes will help balance out the length of your legs. Finally, as much as possible, you should dress in layers if you’re tall and of average or slim build. The most fashionable men dress this way -- and women appreciate men who are dress well, especially if they’re tall.

checklist: your wardrobe staples

Double-breasted blazers and jackets
Turtleneck shirts and sweaters
Wider ties and belts
Custom-tailored suit
Just-below-the-knee coats with belts
Straight-leg trousers and jeans
Hip-length two-button blazers
Thin-soled shoes