T-Shirts for Short Men: Proper Length, Top Brands and More

Looking for a t-shirt that fits well on shorter guys? Here’s a list of places that sell shorter length t-shirts.

All too often, short men have a tough time finding clothes that fit well off the rack. Length is the biggest problem. Most garments simply aren’t made with the shorter guy in mind.

This is true for complicated items like suits and outerwear, but it’s also true for the basic t-shirt. Most of them are just too long for men under 5’8″ or so.

The vast majority of shorter guys simply settle for ill-fitting t-shirts, which is a real shame because this totally ruins your look, no matter what brand or colors you’re wearing.

But what are we supposed to do? Do they even make shorter length t-shirts?

Here’s the good news: there are a few brands selling t-shirts that fit well on the shorter build.

But first, we need to talk about t-shirt length…

Proper T-Shirt Length

When it comes to proper t-shirt fit, since most tees have short sleeves, we really only have to worry about the shirt’s length (from the top or the collar to the bottom hem).

Ideally, your t-shirt will end a couple inches past your belt or waistband, somewhere around mid-fly.

If it goes past the bottom of your fly, it’s probably too long.

If it exposes more than a sliver of belly when you raise your arms up over your head, it’s probably too short (usually not a problem for shorter guys).

Do T-Shirts Shrink?

Classic t-shirts are made from 100% cotton, so unless they’re pre-shrunk, they will shrink a bit when you wash and dry them.

Tees shrink up, not in, which means they’ll get shorter by 1-3″ depending on how much heat is used.

This is actually great for shorter guys. I’ve had a few t-shirts that were too long out of the box but fit perfectly after one laundry cycle.

Keep in mind, shrinking a shirt intentionally isn’t an exact science, so tread carefully.

Can you get t-shirts shortened at the tailor?

Yup, you can have your t-shirts hemmed to a shorter length. You can even get them taken in for a closer fit.

This is a simple alteration that’s worth it if you shirt is expensive, or if you just really love everything about it (other than the fit).

Remember to launder your shirt before getting it tailored to avoid any post-alterations shrinkage.

Where to Buy Shorter Length T-Shirts

Here’s a list of places that actually make t-shirts that fit well on shorter guys.

Ash & Erie

When it comes to t-shirts for short men, my top pick is from Ash & Erie. It’s the perfect length and has a modern slim-but-not-tight fit.

You can choose from a v-neck or crew neck, both of which feature a slightly curved hem.

I also appreciate that the “V” isn’t too deep, which is often the case with traditional brands. It’s the right depth and shape for my 5’6″ frame.

The sleeves fit in a way that’s comfortable but flattering, even if you’ve been skipping your bicep curls 😉

Under 510

Like Ash & Erie, Under 510 is another brand that makes clothes specifically for shorter guys.

In this case, they’re focused on everyone below average height, which is 5’10” in the U.S.

Right now, Under 510 only has one t-shirt style, a slim fit short-sleeve henley.

It’s available in three basic colors: black, white and blue.

ASKET

ASKET makes high quality basics, sort of like a more premium Uniqlo or Everlane, but they have a unique sizing system.

They let you choose a size and length, so instead of just buying a size small, you can buy a small/short.

Their shorter length shirts are very short. In fact, the XS/short is almost too short for my 5’6″ build!

If you love the minimalist aesthetic and need a shorter length t-shirt, I think ASKET is worth a try.

Son of a Tailor

Speaking of high quality basics, Son of a Tailor is another great place to buy shorter tees.

Like ASKET, Son of a Tailor takes a unique approach to sizing. Rather than just offering different lengths, they offering made-to-measure, custom size t-shirts.

You input a few basic dimensions, all of which you already know, then the SoaT algorithm created a custom t-shirt size just for you.

You can also tweak this custom size by adjusting the fit, length and sleeve length.

I got a Son of a Tailor t-shirt when they first launched, and it left a lot to be desired. But after trying them again recently, I was really impressed with how everything fit.

I’m wearing a SoaT long sleeve tee in this clip:

It fits perfectly and feels very high quality. I’ve washed it a few times, and it’s held up nicely so far!

If you’ve really had a hard time finding t-shirts that fit well off the rack, you might want to give Son of a Tailor a try.

Peter Manning NYC

Like Ash & Erie, Peter Manning makes clothes specifically for shorter men.

Their Vintage Crew T-Shirt is made from Pima cotton and is free of any extra details (curved hem, chest pocket, etc.).

I’ve worn a few of these tees over the past couple years. They’re very comfortable, and the size 1 length works for my build, but I wouldn’t want it any longer.

I have noticed that the collar tends to get a bit wrinkly after washing, maybe because of the lightweight fabric. You could probably iron out these wrinkles.

Also, these Peter Manning t-shirts aren’t as fitted as Ash & Erie tees, so if you like a slimmer fit, go with Ash & Erie.

What about the kids’ section?

Some shorter guys are able to wear youth size t-shirts, but in my experience, this is pretty hit or miss.

If you try on a t-shirt from the young men’s department, you’ll often find that there’s not enough room in the chest and shoulders, while the rest of the fit is too boxy.

The length may be perfect or even too short for anyone over 5’3″ or so.

If you are going to try kids’ sizes, I recommend Ralph Lauren and J. Crew.

Don’t Settle for Poor Fit

As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to shorter length t-shirts, so you shouldn’t settle for tees that are too long.

Most of the companies listed above have generous shipping and return policies, so don’t be afraid to try on a few different brands before making your decision.

Did I miss any other brands making t-shirts for short men? Let me know in the comments below!