Being a tall fellow has its perks. You get picked first for football at school, gifted the best view in the house for your favorite band and getting attention at the bar is hardly a struggle. And now there’s another reason to be thankful as Ted Baker has tailored its latest collection just for men of a tall persuasion (those over 6’3″ to be precise), with footballer Peter Crouch joining six-time world champion swimmer Mark Foster as another statuesque brand ambassador.
Now, with great height, comes great responsibility and those of alpine proportions need to handle their style with care lest they end up resembling a ski pole. But the new T for Tall collection makes balancing out those dimensions a whole lot easier with bold jumpers, well-cut coats and blazers and punchy patterned shirts that will mean no tall man will have to subject themselves to a baggy fit to get the length they need.
Just remember the three tenets of dressing tall mind – break up those leggy trousers with a turn-up, color blocking is your best friend, and contrast the separate pieces in your outfit with different textures and shades – all of which have the effect of breaking up your lengthy frame and adding structure to your look.
Oh, and getting on board with these 10 picks from the collection can only help your cause too.
The FashionBeans Edit
Check Jacket
Save the money you usually pour into the alterations place with a rare piece of off-the-peg tailoring actually designed for tall men. Longer in length but still flatteringly cut through the body, it means you don’t have to buy a size up and get it tailored. Plus, the subtle check will not only turn heads, but help broaden the look of your torso, too.
Patterned Short Sleeve Shirt
A jazzy pattern can sit well on a tall man, creating a strong point of focus especially if you have a worthy chest with which to show off. This one has some serious summer vibes with a fresh leaf motif cutting against the dazzling white backdrop, and note the way the sleeve hem is cut just around the mid-bicep. That’s prime summer sleeve territory, my friend, with just enough space to fit your finger between the fabric and your arm.
Embroidered T-Shirt
When height is your greatest asset, you’re going to have to search for a bit of style trickery to give you that extra width. This cotton tee for tall guys comes with subtle horizontal stripes to broaden your upper body, which is then highlighted by the jolly parrot embroidery. Just a couple of tricks a little birdy told us way back when.
Straight Fit Jeans
The dilemma for lanky denim fans is usually the length of the legs. Cropped styles don’t work because it looks like you’re wearing something too small for you and above a certain height, you’ll struggle to find a leg length without also going bigger around the waist. Ted Baker has fixed that very problem with this pair of straight-cut indigo jeans, which are uncommonly flattering for men of a certain stature.
2-In-1 Mac
As we’re transitioning from season to season you need to ask more from your outerwear. This mac handily comes with two separate layers, a waterproof outer shell to combat the spring showers and a stylish, slimline quilted jacket underneath to wear on a breezy day. Or wear both for when it’s rainy and windy which, let’s face it, is bound to happen at some point in the coming months.
Cashmere Overcoat
The camel overcoat has risen above the old Del Boy association to become a key piece in any menswear aficionado’s wardrobe. This one will certainly negotiate your look away from the wheeler-dealer, crafted from a swanky cashmere wool blend with a snappy notched lapel and a swish printed lining, as is the Ted Baker way.
Cotton Chinos
Sure, a hardy pair of denim is versatile enough to be worn every day, but a crisp pair of chinos can be a much-needed addition to the trouser rotation, especially in the summer when your sky scraping limbs require something less stifling. These slim fitting grey chinos are just waiting to be called in from the bench, ready to tag team with some navy knitwear up top for that recommended separates contrast.
Stain Stretch Shirt
As mentioned, block colors have long been a close ally of the lofty. This stretch-cotton shirt comes in ever-wearable navy, has a shimmering satin finish and is cut long enough that you won’t be paranoid about it coming untucked from your trousers.
Wool Blend Jumper
Channel the preppy ocean-farer with this dapper wool blend jumper which has a stitch pattern detail across the upper body making for some expertly subtle color blocking. Keep the contrast going with some staple beige chinos underneath for an off-duty Riviera look. Now, where did we put the keys for the superyacht again?
Chino Shorts
The key to buying shorts as a tall man, and for chaps in general, is to not go too short. Too much leg on show might have you resembling a flamingo auditioning for a reality TV show. These chino shorts are the perfect length, cut just above the knee and with a straight cut that matches your hips so they don’t look boxy and leave your thighs looking puny in the process.
Harrington Jacket
Cropped jackets can break the hearts of taller-than-average guys because they are often cut so short that you look like you’re wearing something that belongs to a teenager. Not the case with this Harrington-style jacket from Ted Baker. It’s made longer in the body and still boasts the classic collar and fit. Great color for spring, too.
