Under 510 Review: Affordable Clothes for Short Men

In this hands-on Under 510 review, I’ll try on a few items from this niche brand to see how everything fits and feels.

Under 510 is a relative newcomer to the shorter men’s clothing space. Brands like Jimmy Au’s and Ash & Erie have been serving this niche audience for years, but Under 510 aims to be a modern and affordable alternative.

At the time of writing, Under 510 sells jeans, chinos, shorts, button up shirts, casual shirts (tees, polos), sweatshirts, joggers, stretch dress pants, and a handful of accessories.

Their prices are substantially lower than the competition, ranging from $35 to $75 with various discounts for bundled purchases.

For example, their button up shirts are $30-40 each, depending on how many you buy. Ash & Erie and Peter Manning button ups are closer to $100 each.

So, if you’re under 5’10” and on a tight budget, this may be a good brand to check out.

Of course, price isn’t the only factor to consider. Let’s talk about the fit, aesthetic and quality of Under 510 clothing.

My Build

For reference, I’m 5’6” in shoes and about 123 lbs after dinner. I have a 34” chest, and I usually wear XS tops.

My off-the-rack suit jacket size would be 34S, and my ideal pant size is 28×27.

What I Tried On

I tried to order a couple of items from each category – shirts, pants, knitwear and outerwear. Here’s what I tried on:

• Button Down Oxford Dress Shirt
• Bruce Slim Tapered Jean (Black)
• Kingston 2.0 Slim Tapered Xtreme Stretch Jeans (Gray)
• Jon Slim Tapered Performance Dress Pant (Blue)
• Ultra Soft Polo (Green Melange)
• Zip Functional Fleece Hoodie
• French Terry Sweatshirt (Olive)
• Simon 2.0 Chinos (Brown)
• Tyson Jogger (Gray)

The tops are all XS, except the sweatshirt (which is size S), and the bottoms are all 28×27. Also, in the below photos, I’m wearing these white sneakers.

Let’s take a look at how everything fits…

How Everything Fit

Here’s a look at each individual item…

Under 510 Oxford Dress Shirt

Sorry about the wrinkles! I tried everything on right out of the bag, no washing, drying or ironing.

This is sort of a dress-casual hybrid shirt. It’s constructed like a dress shirt – spread collar, no placket, no pocket – but it’s made from a weighty, textured Oxford cotton.

The length is good for wearing untucked. I could tuck this in, but I think it come untucked throughout the day.

To me, this feels like a casual OCBD with some dressy details. I’d wear it on its own or as a layering piece, mostly untucked.

Under 510 Kingston 2.0 Jeans

These are listed as slim, tapered jeans. To me, they fit like most “skinny” jeans from contemporary brands.

These are a bit more form fitting than, say, Levi’s 511, but not quite as tight as Everlane or Express skinny jeans in the same size.

They’re very stretchy. These isn’t your standard 2% elastane stretch denim. Instead, this fabric is 74% Cotton, 22% Polyester and 4% Elastane.

I also received a pair of these jeans in gray, which you’ll see in the next section.

Under 510 Terry Crew Sweatshirt

This is your classic cotton crew neck sweatshirt in a dark olive green color.

I prefer my knitwear to be a bit more fitted, even if I’m going to use it as a layering piece.

But, if you have more of an average build, this sweatshirt will probably fit well.

Under 510 Jon Performance Dress Pants

These stretchy dress pants feel like “tech” or “travel” pants, sort of like Banana Republic’s Core Temp line, but even stretchier.

Size 28×27 was very fitted on me (even more than the jeans). I also tried a pair in 30×27, but the waist was a bit too wide.

My ideal size for these pants would be 29×28. But, given the choice, I’d probably go with the 30×28 and get the waist taken in.

These definitely run slim, so size up if you’re in between sizes.

Under 510 Polo Shirt

This polo is probably my favorite item from this haul. It’s super soft and fits really well.

This polo is made from synthetic fabric (a Poly/Nylon/Elastane blend), so it’s pretty stretchy.

Only time will tell how durable it is compared to a standard cotton pique polo.

Under 510 Fleece Hoodie

This is an interesting and unexpected piece that nudges Under 510 a little bit father into the athleisure category, compared to its classic menswear competitors.

These thumbhole sleeves are typically seen in activewear brands like lululemon or Arc’teryx.

You’ll probably love ’em or hate ’em, but I think they’re pretty cool.

The hood is also a functional detail that would come in handy during fall and winter workout sessions.

I like the fact that it actually fits my head. Many off-the-rack hoodies have comically large hoods that form steep points at the top.

This one actually looks cool, which means I wold actually use it.

Kind of like the sweatshirts, this isn’t a slim fit garment, at least not through the torso.

The sleeves are actually pretty slim, which is great, but the torso could benefit from some taper or an internal drawstring.

Under 510 Simon 2.0 Chinos

These stretch chinos are available down to 25″ inseam. They have 2% elastane and look like regular chinos.

Unlike most chinos, they have scoop pockets in front (more like jeans). I tried on the espresso brown color.

The fit is slim and tapered but more roomy than the Under 510 jeans I tried on.

I like the dark brown color, and the 27″ length is just right.

These chinos fit through leg and hip, but the 30″ waist is pretty wide on me.

I’m not sure if I’d size down or just get the waist taken in, as this is a common problem for guys with a larger waist to hip ratio.

Under 510 Tyson Joggers

It’s almost impossible to find joggers for short men, so I was excited to try these on.

These are the grey Tyson Joggers in size 30×26. They’re made from a lightweight, quick-dry polyester fleece fabric.

To me, these seem a bit long for a 26″ inseam. I think it’s because the rise is long, which makes the outseam (total length) longer than expected.

Maybe this specific pair was an anomaly?

Either way, I’d recommend going with the shorter length if you order these, unless you have longer legs than I do.

The Aesthetic

Under 510 is decidedly more youthful, urban and monochromatic than preppier brands like Peter Manning and Ash & Erie.

Throughout their current collection, you’ll find plenty of black, grey and blue, as well as some menswear staples like burgundy and green.

To me, the fit is also geared toward a younger audience, but it’s not consistent. The pants are substantially more fitted than the tops.

Under 510 Quality

Outside the world of designer and luxury fashion, you typically get what you pay for.

Under 510 jeans and button-ups are $60 and $40, respectively. You can’t expect the same quality control and durability as you do from a brand that sells $100+ jeans and $80+ shirts.

For example, their Kingston 2.0 Xtreme Stretch Jeans are made in Mexico. I tried on two pairs and noticed some small QC issues with one of them:

In general, I think Under 510 is competing on price and fit, not quality. Their garments feel like stuff you’d buy at ASOS, Old Navy or H&M.

You shouldn’t expect these clothes to last forever, but if you treat them well and follow the care instructions, they should be well worth the purchase price.

Under 510 for Bigger Guys

Wondering how Under 510 fits on shorter guys with stockier builds? Here are some thoughts from TMM reader, Ben, who recently tried a few pieces from the brand.

Take it away, Ben!

My Build

For reference, I’m 5’5”, boots included, and hover around 185 lbs.

My off-the-rack suit jacket size is usually 40S, and in most brands, my waist size is a 34. With Under 510, I wear M or L tops and 34×26 bottoms.

Because I tried on a lot of clothes, I felt it would be best to style them as an outfit rather than individual pieces.

My first impression from looking at the clothes for fit was promising, so let’s see how everything went…

Outfit #1

This outfit is a more casual take on one of my favorite styles, Ivy League, more commonly referred to as preppy.

It’s characterized by slacks or chinos on the bottom with an OCBD underneath a neutral sweatshirt like grey or navy.

The sweatshirt was very comfortable and I was absolutely shocked to see that the cuff of the sleeve actually hit my wrist bone.

The gingham shirt was also a pleasant surprise with the sleeve length because the only way I’ve gotten the correct fit is by going MTM with a brand like Indochino, and that usually costs a pretty penny.

The Simon chino from Under 510 was pretty spot on. I had to go up a size in these pants because they do run small, but the slim fit was exactly what I was looking for.

My only critique with these pants is that it looks like the fabric pulling south of the border, but it’s by no means a deal breaker.

Outfit #2

While baggy sweatshirts are typically not the most flattering, the French Terry Crew from Under 510 finds a great balance between oversized and proportionate.

While I would personally wear this on many occasions, I’d love to see the brand come out with higher end, slimmer, less casual sweaters (like a merino wool v-neck).

Prior to trying on clothes from Under 510, I’ve had a pretty hit or miss experience when it comes to jeans. Like putting on a white tailored dress shirt for the first time, 26″ inseam jeans gave me a feeling of euphoria.

Unlike other jeans sold by Under 510, these are special because they contain a fabric called Repreve which utilizes recycled water bottles to divert marine waste. With the raw look and feel of the jeans, you’d never know this was in there.

Outfit #3

Autumn is my favorite season, so I put together a multi-layered outfit that’s perfect for apple picking or hitting up your favorite weekend flea market.

The waffle henley was a decent, but I felt that the sleeves could have been a bit shorter.

The fabric felt a bit thin, but I think that’s because Under 510 sees it as more of a layering piece, rather than a standalone shirt.

Speaking of layers, I managed to layer the henley with a weighty overshirt that absolutely personifies autumn. It’s made from heavy, warm fabric – perfect for fall. I chose a size Large to makes sure I could wear it over long sleeve shirts (like henleys).

The jeans are the star of the show here. They fit more skinny jeans even though they’re labeled as slim, and they’re very stretchy. I’d have no problem wearing these on a cross-country flight.

My shoe choice for this outfit was a pair of chelsea boots because that really seemed the most appropriate for the weather.

Outfit #4

I’ve been athleisure-averse for almost my entire style journey, until now.

Normally, when I’ve tried on joggers, I always have to get a smaller size because of the inseams are always too long. But with the Tyson Jogger, there’s no extra length at the bottom.

I’ve paired these with the Active T-Shirt which fits like every other run-of-the-mill athletic shirt made from performance fabric. Nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either.

Ben’s Overall Thoughts and Recommendation

The quality of Under 510 clothes is solid for the most part. Brock compared it to brands like ASOS or H&M, but I’d go so far as to say that it more closely resembles something like a Gap or a J. Crew (i.e., for the price, but it’s also not as bad as you think it would be).

Unlike the clothes that Brock tried on, I was happy to see that there were no manufacturing errors in the pieces that I ended up with.

Under 510’s overall aesthetic is more on the minimalist side. They don’t carry any trendy pieces or prints, and the colors of the clothes that they have are pretty muted. You won’t have any trouble pairing pieces from the brand with other items in your wardrobe to create a sleek monochromatic look.

I was largely impressed with how everything turned out, considering that this was one of my first experiences with clothes made for shorter men, particularly at this price point.

Under 510 will be a perfect fit, pun intended, if you meet a few criteria:

1. You’re building out your new wardrobe and need the basics
2. Don’t have a ton of cash to spend
3. Regular brands don’t carry your size off the rack

If you are willing to give shorter clothes a try, definitely give Under 510 a try. The quality may not be top notch, but the fit and the price will have you feeling like a million bucks.

Okay, back to Brock!

Who It’s For

In a nutshell, Under 510 is perfect for shorter men who want to buy clothes that fit well off the rack – no tailoring needed – without breaking the bank.

It’s good for younger guys who want fitted pants and anyone who likes a more urban, monochromatic aesthetic.

Under 510 also good for guys who want a lot of stretch built into their clothes (especially pants), as Under 510 is definitely leaning into the athleisure movement.

Finally, it’s great for anyone living in or traveling through the NYC area, because you can try things on in person at their Long Island fit shop.

Who It’s Not For

If money isn’t an issue, and you’re willing to pay more for higher quality clothing, I think you’ll be happier with other brands.

Even if you want to stick with short-men-specific brands in order to avoid alterations, you can find most of the same garments – Oxford shirts, slim fit jeans, polos – from Peter Manning and Ash & Erie.

If you’re a bigger guy who’s carrying around a few extra pounds, Under 510’s pants might be too fitted for you, although the tops should fit well.

Finally, if you prefer a more colorful, preppy aesthetic, you’ll likely find more choices shopping with other brands.

Conclusion

I’m always glad to see more brands focused on helping shorter men find clothes that fit and flatter their modest build.

If you’ve had trouble finding clothes that fit properly and that make you feel like a million bucks, I recommend giving Under 510 a try.