An Ash & Erie Review for Fall: Still a Go-To for Short Guys

Ash & Erie remains one of the best brands for men of modest height. We try a few of their new offerings to see how they continue to nail style and fit so you can look and feel your best.

In recent years, we’ve seen a push for brands to expand their offerings to become more inclusive. While many brands and stores have shifted to offer clothes for everyone, we celebrate brands that cater specifically to an underrepresented market. And in our case, that means men of modest height. Ash & Erie has always supported short men and offers quite a collection of options and fits. This means you can find stylish, well-fitting clothes that help you feel your best. 

If you’re a short guy and struggle to find stores that offer an off-the-rack fit, we implore you to consider Ash & Erie. We’ve reviewed many items from the brand over the years, and they continue to deliver. Additionally, the brand has continuously been a go-to for Modest Man readers. 

In this review, we graciously sample some of their best and newest options and assess their quality, fit and overall style. 

My Stature

Understanding my body type is essential to better understanding how Ash & Erie might fit you. In my recent Nicholas James review, I provided in-depth insight into my stature, so I’ll briefly recap here. 

I am on the taller side of modest height, standing at 5’8” and weighing 155 pounds. I am a true ectomorph with balanced measurements through my shoulders, waist and hip. I also have a short torso and long legs. I find that shirts offered through brands that cater to shorter men provide a better fit; however, I often have trouble with pants and jeans. I am a medium/medium slim in most brands and wear a 31” x 29” or 30” in pants and jeans. 

What I Tried From Ash & Erie

For this review, Ash & Erie kindly sent me a variety of items to try. Here’s what I sampled, wore and reviewed and their sizes:

• Chore Jacket in Olive, size medium
• Bomber Jacket  in Dark Green, size medium
• Full-Zip Fleece Jacket in Heather Grey, size medium
• Roam French Terry Sweatshirt in Black, size medium
• Washed Stretch Chino Pant in Navy, size 31” x 29”
• Explorer Jeans in Asphalt Wash, size 31” x 29”
• Transit Tech Chino Pant in Black, size 31” x 29”
• Stretch Washed Chino Shorts in Stone, size 31”
• Long Sleeve Performance Stretch Shirt in Indigo Mélange, size medium slim
• Alberta Gingham Flannel Shirt, size medium slim
• Buffalo Plaid Flannel Shirt, size medium slim
• Tech Polo in Obsidian, size medium
• Pima Cotton Crew Neck Tee in Washed Black, size medium
• Luxury Soft Touch Crew Neck Tee in White, size medium

Ash & Erie wanted to ensure the fit was spot on, so they sent these items in multiple sizes. The sizes listed fit me best, except the tees, which fit in both small and medium.

Ash & Erie Sizing

Ash & Erie sent me a few of their button-up shirts in both a medium slim, which is traditionally my size, as well as a small standard. The small standard is cut shorter through the torso length, through the body, and in the sleeve length. As you can see below, the medium slim (left) provides a much better fit for my frame versus the small standard (right). If you tend to have longer limbs as I do, I suggest sizing up and going with a slim fit for a more tapered silhouette.

One of the things I like best about Ash & Erie is their diverse sizing for short men. Whether you’re naturally lean like me or are rocking your short and stout dad bod, there’s something for everyone. They carry XS through XXL in most of their items, jeans and pants from 28 through 38 and inseams from 25” through 29.” They even have modest height lengths for joggers, which are hard to come by!

Ash & Erie Review: Outfits

Now that you know more about my stature, Ash & Erie’s sizing and what they sent, here’s how I put everything together. I am a casual guy, so I put these pieces together casually. However, you can add everything you see here to your closet to build a minimalist or capsule wardrobe. Especially if your office has a business casual dress code.

1. Long Sleeve Performance Stretch Shirt, Washed Stretch Chino Pant, and Full-Zip Fleece Jacket

Let’s kick things off with an ensemble you can wear on casual Fridays or in a business casual work environment. I paired the Ash & Erie Long Sleeve Performance Stretch Shirt in Indigo Mélange with their washed stretch Chino Pants in Navy. The shirt is a substantial knit fabric that wears like a dress shirt but feels like a T-shirt. It’s important to note that the fabric, even though it’s knit, is thick and resembles a traditional woven dress shirt. It’s ideal for guys who struggle with textures or hate wearing non-stretch cotton dress shirts. 

I paired the shirt with the Washed Stretch Chino Pants for a tonal look. I ordered the pants in my standard size, which fit pretty well. One thing to note is that I don’t like having a negative break in the length of my pants. The 28” inseam gave me a negative break. So while these have slight bagging at the ankle, they give me a preferred fit over the 28” inseam. 

They feature a button fly like a traditional 5-pocket pant, but other than that, they are true chino pants. You’ll find slanted side pockets and double-welt back pockets with a button closure. Like the dress shirt, these pants feel sturdy and have a versatile aesthetic. You can wear them casually with a long-sleeve henley or with the stretch shirt for an elevated look. 

On colder days, you could toss the Full-Zip Fleece Jacket over. Sure, this piece is super casual, but something about the fabric and heathered color makes it look and feel a bit more uplifted. I recently wore this fleece with jeans, a tee and white sneakers for a polished yet über-casual weekend look. 

2. Chore Jacket, Luxury Soft Touch Crew Neck Tee, and Explorer Jeans

I firmly believe that a basic jeans and T-shirt combo is the basis for a good weekend look. After all, I am a huge basic tee guy, and my go-to outfit on the weekends is either a tee and jeans combo or something athleisure. Alas, not all T-shirts are built the same but Ash & Erie makes a pretty darn good tee. The Luxury Soft Touch Crew Neck Tee is so butter-soft and feels really good against my skin. Again, this is another great Ash & Erie item to add to your closet if you are sensitive to how things feel. 

In terms of fit, it’s almost perfect for me. It ticks almost all the boxes of how a T-shirt should fit. I realize I didn’t take a picture of me wearing the tee alone, but it fits almost identically to the washed black tee they sent. I’ll discuss this tee and the fit later in this review. 

I paired the tee with the Ash & Erie Explorer Jeans. If the brand is good at anything (and they do many things well), it’s consistent sizing across products. These jeans fit similarly to their Washed Stretch Chinos. They feature a 92% cotton, 2% polyester, and 1% elastane blend. This is a good thing; they feel like classic rigid denim with just a touch of stretch. They’ll give you movement when needed but won’t stretch out. I also really like the asphalt-black wash. It’s an excellent alternative to blue denim and much easier to dress up when needed. Last, I topped this outfit with the Chore Jacket. It’s a nice, lightweight layer ideal for transitional fall weather with an English Countryside vibe. Focusing on fit, it gives me room to layer when the weather gets cooler without additional bulk. The sleeve length and torso length are spot on. Also, the olive green color is rich and perfect for the season. 

3. Alberta Gingham and Buffalo Plaid Flannel Shirts

Who doesn’t love a good flannel shirt? But honestly, the second the first leaf falls to the ground in the fall, everyone in my house scrambles for their favorite flannel shirts. And with good reason. A flannel shirt is quintessentially fall, super versatile and keeps you warm. You can wear it buttoned up or unbuttoned and layered over a tee. Tuck one in with chinos for an elevated casual look (though Ash & Erie designed them for you to wear them untucked).

Ash & Erie sent me two flannels: the Alberta Gingham and the Buffalo Plaid. Comparing the above images side by side, you can see that the gingham option feels a bit more elevated over the casual buffalo plaid. The gingham is a nice blue and gray combo, while the buffalo is a classic red and black. 

The flannel is soft and made from 100% pre-shrunk cotton. I’ve worn these repeatedly, and they don’t shrink. Plus, they get softer with wear, which is always a plus. Last, at the risk of sounding redundant, the fit is perfect. 

4. Tech Polo, Stone Washed Chino Shorts, and Roam French Terry Sweatshirt

I live in California, so fall here isn’t just cool weather and cozy gear. Some days, it’s crisp and cool, and other days feel like the dog days of summer. These Stone Washed Chino Shorts are perfect for warm days regardless of the season. I wore these in a 31”, and they provide a great fit in the waist without the help of a belt. 

I know that one of the tricks to appear taller is to wear shorter shorts to trick the eye into thinking you have long legs. As an avid water polo player, I know a thing or two about short inseam shorts. However, wearing short shorts doesn’t mean you have to show off a lot of thigh. When we typically discuss short shorts, we mean shorts that are 2” above the knee or more. By that definition, these are short shorts. I like my shorts a bit shorter, and this 7” inseam is ideal for my frame. 

I really liked pairing these shorts with this black Tech Polo. Ash & Erie calls it their tech polo, but it doesn’t look or feel like most clothes you associate with “tech” or “performance.” It very much feels like a standard polo shirt, but the brand uses a proprietary blend of materials to keep you cool and dry. This pairing lets you go from brunch to the golf links in a pinch. The only thing I noticed about the polo is that it’s a bit transparent when I hold it up to the light. If you are modest, I suggest wearing an undershirt to stay covered.  

Last, to layer up, I added the Roam French Terry Sweatshirt. Aside from the tees, this was one of my favorite pieces from the bunch. Remember, I am a simple tee kind of guy! It provided a great fit, and I appreciate the raglan-style sleeve arms, so you don’t have to worry about shoulder seams. The French Terry fabric is brushed and soft. Plus, it wears and washes SO well. 

5. Transit Tech Chino Pant, Pima Cotton Crew Neck Tee, and Bomber Jacket

Since our 2022 Ash & Erie review, the Transit Tech Chino Pant is a newer item in their lineup. Visually, it looks like a nice business casual work pant. Up close, it even feels like a modern, lightweight chino. However, you’ll notice that the fabric is made with 3XDRY technology. It’s a finishing that repels water and dirt while absorbing sweat and moisture on the inside. This means you’ll stay cool, and the added stretch adds a level of comfort. 

You’ll find performance-type details on these tech pants, like most performance pants. One of the back welted pockets features a hidden button closure. The other keeps your secure items safe with the help of a hidden zipper. Last, instead of wearing a belt, there is a drawstring on the inside of your waistband if you prefer a casual, no-belt look. These pants are super comfortable. I wear them when I ride my e-bike into downtown or for a night out with the guys. 

I paired them with the Pima Cotton Crew Neck Tee, another of my favorite items Ash & Erie sent. Again, it provides a pretty spot-on fit. The sleeve length is about halfway from my armpit to my elbow, and there’s no pulling across the chest. There’s a little extra room through the torso, and the length of the shirt stops mid-fly. The only place it doesn’t fit just right is at the shoulder. The seams are a bit past my acromonion bone. However, they don’t hang down my arm, so that’s a plus! I also want to note that this is a common fit issue for me.

Last, bomber jackets are typically an excellent outerwear alternative for short guys. Why? Because they typically run shorter through the torso. The Ash & Erie Bomber Jacket nails the traditional aviator style and fit, especially for men of modest height. It’s insulated but not so much so that it adds bulk to your frame. Also, the brand lines the interior with a shiny nylon fabric that absolutely reminds you of an old-school nylon bomber jacket. It’s a great blend of vintage and modern that wears well. 

Ash & Erie FAQs

It’s natural for you to have questions about Ash & Erie. We’ve covered a lot in this review, but if there’s something we’ve missed, you might find it here. Here are your most common queries regarding the brand. 

Where Is Ash & Erie Located?

Ash & Erie is based in Detroit, Michigan. The brand is very proud of its diverse home and invests to help redefine the city’s reputation while preserving its heritage. 

Where Is Ash & Erie Made?

Ash & Erie products are designed in the US and manufactured abroad. China, Turkey and Guatemala are a few countries that manufacture items for Ash & Erie. It varies depending on the exact item. However the brand uses premium materials that are evident in its finished products. 

Who Is The Owner of Ash & Erie?

Steven Mazur and Eric Huang own and are the founders of the brand Ash & Erie. 

Final Thoughts on Ash & Erie

Over the years, Ash & Erie has proven to be a tried-and-true brand that continues to deliver quality clothes to short men. They have honed in and perfected their sizing so it is consistent across everything they offer. 

While The Modest Man has been a continued supporter of the brand, this was my first time testing and wearing their clothes. I quickly became a fan, and it’s no wonder why Ash & Erie has such a solid following and reputation. Everything fits great and washes and wears so well. I can’t wait to see what the brand has to offer in the future!

What do you think of Ash & Erie? Is there anything in this review that you’re excited to try? Let us know in the comments below.