Tricks & Tips
Men's Ties

There are two big problems with ties and tall guys, the tie is too short, or it doesn't cover the space between the points of your collar. One solution to the too short problem is to buy special long ties made for tall men. The ones sold in tie stores are usually dreadful, but the ones sold by mail (Land's End sells some nice ones) are generally as attractive as the regular size, and often are the same tie, just longer. Another solution is to tie it with little or no tie at the back, and all the tie in front. Then you attach the tie with a tack through the tie or paperclip at the back. This usually makes the tie too narrow at the knot, and the tie does not fit the collar well. But it often is the best you can do. The problem with the knot being too small is because you're collar size is too big for the knot you're using. This can be resolved by using a larger knot. A half-windsor or even a full windsor are much larger than the traditional American four-in-hand, but they use up more tie, making it shorter overall. It's sort of a catch-22. (For info on tying different knots, see men's fashion books like "Dress for success".) Most custom tailors will make you custom ties in any length and the fabric of your choice for around $40 if you will order a half dozen or so at one time. Ask your tailor about it if this is a problem.

Pantyhose-

The trick with pantyhose is that the fabric is omnidirectional, that is, it stretches as well in one direction as another. So, while nobody makes pantyhose to fit women taller than 6'-0" There are several that make very WIDE pantyhose. When you put them on, the width turns into lenth and VIOLA! Tall pantyhose. If most of your height is in your legs, you may find that the extra seat in large hose turns into too much rise (the distance from crotch to waist) Simply turn this down. Of course, if you're very tall the waist may be up around your armpits. In that case, consult a seamstress about modifications.

The best range I've found is from a company called "Just My Size" that carries up to size 7X.

     Just My Size
     PO Box 748
     Rural Hall, NC 27098
     1-800-522-9567

Also, if you have a 36" or shorter inseam try:

     Hosiery Corporation of America (HCA)
     P.O. Box 41699
     Philadelphia, PA 19101-9488

Men's Bathrobes

If you can't find a robe long enough, try this trick- find a robe in a unisex style(white turkish for example), and by the largest WOMEN"S size. The reason is that women's robes are designed to go to the ankle, men's to the knee. This means an extra 6"-9" in length. The cut is the same in robes, and as long as you don't get pink with lace nobody will know.

Men's shirts

To get the right sleeve length in shirts, you often have to go to the next larger size. But then the collar is off. The trick? Move the button! Put the shirt on with the collar unbuttoned and adjust it 'till it's comfortable. Then have a friend mark the button locaton with a pencil or chalk. Then relocate the button. This should allow about a size and a half variance.

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