This is a review of Peter Manning, a clothing company that makes classic American sportswear specifically for men 5'8″ and under.
If you're below average height, you probably struggle with finding clothes that fit. You want to dress well, but it seems like most clothing companies completely ignore your needs.
Pants and sleeves are always too long. Sweaters are too big. Dress shirts are billowy and suits make you feel like a little kid.
Men of average height don't understand this problem. It's easy for them to find clothes that fit. But the truth is, us shorter gents can spend all day shopping just to walk away empty-handed (trust me, I've tried).
There are only a few brands that cater to short men. Peter Manning is one of these. In fact, they focus exclusively on men 5'8″ and under.
I've been following Peter Manning for a while. If you're a subscriber, you've probably already seen some of my Peter Manning outfits.
I have several Peter Manning shirts, including a couple of sweaters and a polo, but my favorite is this yellow plaid Everyday Button Up.
The shirt is pre-washed, so it feels soft and broken in. It's extremely comfortable, the kind of shirt you will wear every week.
The length is good, but the sleeves are a bit roomy for my arms. It's got nice details like these light blue Oxford gussets:
The other Peter Manning shirt I've been wearing a lot is this Short Sleever in indigo print.
I often have to stay away from short sleeve button up shirts because they don't fit. Either they're too long, the sleeves are too wide or the collar is too big.
But this one is a good length. The scale of the pattern is nice and small – perfect for svelte gents – and the floral design will always be in style.
I did have to get it taken in at the tailor for a slimmer fit, as it wore a bit baggy in the photos below.
I own two pairs of Peter Manning standard fit jeans, one dark blue and one medium blue (shown here). The length is good, but they're not as slim as I'd like.
They have a medium rise, which I prefer over low-rise pants.
Returns and exchanges are free, and they have a first time customer discount.
Have you tried Peter Manning yet? Do you want to? Leave a comment below!
Looking good Brock! And you’re so right, the difference is in the details. I particularly like the lengths of these Peter Manning shirts, they are just perfect. For a long time I thought I was doing a decent job by taking my shirts to a tailor, but Peter Manning takes scale and fit to another level.
Hey, if you’re getting your shirts tailored, you’re ahead of most guys! But you’re right, you can really fix the details/scale. It is a whole other level.
Thanks. I look forward to your future posts.
This is a fantastic post, Brock. Looking good. 🙂
Thank you, sir!
G’day Brock,
I subscribe to your newsletter and find it helpful. Like you I am a “shorty” and those alterations keep getting expensive. Like $AU17 just to take up a too-long polo shirt.
I was wondering if Peter Manning does international orders and what would be the approximate shipping cost for a shirt and jeans.
It’the sixth day (D-Day) of winter here and it’s bloody cold.
Anyway Brock, have a good weekend. (We have a long weekend to honor the Queen’s Birthday).
Cheers mate,
Barrie Osborne (Port Melbourne — Australia)
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As like Barrie, I’m also wondering about the “if Peter Manning does international orders and what would be the approximate shipping cost for a shirt and jeans.” Or the about the availability of the product in Canada.
A $98 US pair of jeans costs $25 US for delivery, so $159 Cdn plus $29 Cdn in for duty. Grand total is $188.Canadian for jeans. They’re okay, but so are Levis. You can do a lot of tailoring in Canada to a pair of Levi 516s for about half that to alter the inseam.
Hey Brock,
Any chance of checking out Peter Manning for international online shopping.
Joe Canada is also waiting for your action on this.
Regards,
Barrie
Hey Barrie,
I did ask but don’t have an answer yet. I’d recommend sending them an email:
[email protected]
Let me know if you figure it out!
-B
Manning does ship to Canada, but the cost to Toronto for a $98 US pair of jeans is $25 US. That’s currently a total of $157 Cdn. Then there is $29 Cdn in duty that bumps the price to $186 Cdn. They’re good jeans, but expensive for Canadians. A pair of Levi 516 jeans, costs about $65 Cdn in Canada. A seamstress or tailor can alter the inseam for a lot less than $120 Cdn.
Thanks for this blog! I am married to a 5’7″ man and finding clothing, and jeans in particular, is such a nightmare. He’s not one to shop so it’s all on me to prevent him from walking around in badly fitting pants but it seems like they are ALL designed for super tall guys.
I had seen an article about Manning online but was skeptical so it’s really great to have a reviewof the jeans AND the shirts. I’m going to order him some today and see how it goes.
Glad to hear the review was helpful, and thanks for looking out for your man! Let me know how the Peter Manning clothes fit.
-B
I bought chinos and a jumper from Peter Manning. I live in Europe and shipping was very expensive. To be honest it made the exercise uneconomic. The clothes do seem tailored for small guys. I’m 6 ft 6 in and slim. I also felt they cut was not very fashionable so it is a conservative look, useful for business casual.
Hey Ciaran,
Sorry to hear the shipping was so expensive. They’re a small company, so hopefully when they grow (with our support) they’ll be able to offer better rates to overseas customers.
Thanks for leaving your feedback…much appreciated!
-B
I love Peter Manning clothes. I can’t express how happy I am to be able to order for a clothing company and know the items I receive will not only fit but also attract positive feedback from the people around me. I’ve had a few people ask where I got my green chino’s from – They are easily the best fitting pants I have ever worn.
The only down side? Living in Australia it costs ~$125 to ship the clothes. It means that I need to order more than I would like to at a time to justify the shipping cost. It would be great if Peter Manning could work out a way to provide cheaper shipping for single items, then I would truly be in short guy heaven! That said, I am very grateful that the company does provide international shipping because I would be lost without them!
Any suggestions for suits? We’re running into a stone wall of jackets built for 6′ tall men in all the stores.
I would definitely try those on. It’s really hard for me (5plot) to look for some stuff that will fit for my body. It’s also kinda embarrassing for me to look in kids section for my size:D and I am 23 y’old already.
Hi Brock – I just received a pair of shorts and a pair of chinos from Peter Manning – over $250 but I thought it would be worth it. They both have a rise of 11 inches, are baggy in the leg (despite claiming to be slim fit) and are far too big in the waist. Did I use a different Peter Manning? Help!
Hi Brock,
Thanks for the review. Personally, I have great trouble finding the right clothes to fit me. I am 5 feet 4 inches and of a heavy built.
Over the last few years I have found the perfect online stores for shirts. I prefer custom shirts now – I frequent the websites of indochino.com and vitruvien.com. Both these websites offer great shirts at great prices. Frankly, I would prefer them to off the rack.
However, I am still on the lookout for well fitting trousers. Somehow the sites i have tried have not worked for me. Will give Peter Manning a shot. Thanks for the tip!
I’m five foot and weigh a 173 lbs and find it very difficult to find clothes that fit properly and I also have an athletic build
Brock,
What size shirts are you wearing in these pictures?
Large
All size 1.
So are you actually wearing a size down from their recommended size?
Their fit chart told me I was a 2, and I just tried on an “Everyday” shirt, and it’s a bit baggy. :/ Think I’ll return and try a size 1. For the record, I’m 5′ 4″, 135lbs
Thanks for the site Brock!
Yeah but keep in mind, I prefer a close, slim fit (I’m about 125 lbs). Size 1 should fit you well.
Dang, 5′ 6″ 125lb?! Maybe I need to be buying running shoes instead of shirts. :p Jk. yeah I like a closer fit too. Gonna try the 1. Thanks a lot!
For the record, I exchanged the shirt for a size 1, and it is about as perfect as I could possibly hope for. Best fitting button up I’ve ever owned. Thanks again!
I live on Long Island.
Where is your brick and mortar, physical store located?
Mike
These prices are pretty high…
I’m a 2x and have been on the site for months and it still says they are sold out. Please speed up production. Frustrated!
I always struggle buying long sleeve shirts. The sleeves and torso length are always too long. Hopefully Peter Manning will be a good option to purchase better fitted shirts as I am switching to the corporate workforce.
Hey Brock,
Does Peter manning operate in asia?
First,
I have to laugh, since after reading the comments, I see that you are 5’6” which is exactly what I pegged you at from your pictures!
Second,
You have no idea how excited I am to discover clothing designed for shorter men. My husband is 5’5” (on a good day) and has an inseam of 26 3/4” (I told him he had a 27” inseam after I measured—he has always worn 32-34×30 pants am I always have to take them up a lot!) He can never find pants short enough. He also looks really funny in shorts, (so does my son who inherited the no-leg gene from both sides) so thanks for putting this info out there!