Style Tips for Tall Men Inspired by Presidents' Day

Since my working week starts on Tuesday this week thanks to Presidents' Day, I thought I'd check why. My first discovery was that, rather than celebrating every US president (luckily, since there have clearly been a few duds in recent decades), the day actually celebrates Abraham Lincoln and George Washington who both had birthdays in February.

I couldn't help wondering whether tall US Presidents, like us lesser (but taller!) folk, had to contend with the problems of finding clothes tall enough. After all, their average height has been 5'11" (180cm) and the present incumbent is 6'1". So for those wanting to feel presidential, here's some tall clothing tips from two of the tallest.

Barack Obama, at 6'1" tall, has been widely described as a 'style icon' and has maintained a sharp style right into the White House, resisting the temptation to dress down to seem more like just a regular guy (cowboy boots, anyone?). Still, while he is reported to have started his presidential campaign wearing expensive Italian suits from Ermenegildo Zegna, he has since opted for classic American style from a less exclusive source. He is reported to favor Hart Schaffner Marx, a Chicago based store under the same ownership as upmarket Hickey Freeman. At Hart Schaffner Marx you can get a nice extra long wool suit for around $600 - not cheap, but very reasonable compared to the $1500 that Zegna would charge.

Coupled with the suit, a crisp white shirt and a smart tie complete the look - perhaps with rolled up sleeves as a slight concession to "smart casual". Those are not hard to find - extra long ties for tall men are available at many sites including ties.com but always go for silk. Shirts with extra long sleeves are also not hard to find - I am biased towards traditional British style such as Savile Row Co, Charles Tyrwhitt or TM Lewin. For a truly crisp look, buy pure cotton in a two-ply fabric with a high thread count (100's or higher).

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Tall Bargains : Men's Jeans and Pants at Sierra Trading Post

I'll be heading out in search of some snow in a couple of weeks' time and thought it would be good to check for some warm clothes. As usual, trying to find any serious winter outdoor gear for tall men was a waste of time (the only specialist tall clothing supplier I have found is the pricey but customised Beyond Clothing, although I was also impressed by the tall selection at Campmor).



What I did find though, was a treasure trove of long inseam jeans and outdoor pants at Sierra Trading Post. Because Sierra Trading Post tends to sell end-of-line styles, you can get some great bargains but you have to move quickly before they run out, so be warned! You can normally get some extra discounts as well - entering code ALSUPER2 at check out should get you an extra 20% off during March.

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Clothing Gifts for Tall Men

Selecting a Valentine's gift for a boyfriend or husband is a delicate operation at the best of times. If you have left it late and you are buying for a tall man, it can be even trickier.

If you are looking for the romantic idea of a lifetime that will clinch that engagement ring or set the clock on your marriage back to the honeymoon days, please don't rely on my advice alone! However, if you are looking for some inspiration related to clothing, read on! It's not too late to order some great gifts, but don't delay.

Firstly, think quality not quantity. This is a chance to show someone is special and that you've thought about them, so don't just buy something they need anyway. Secondly, love should be in the air, so think more personal, elegant items rather than, say, a new pair of steel capped work boots. Thirdly, most tall men I've met may be sensitive but they are mainly practical; think carefully before buying knick-knacks or overly sentimental items (ok, so maybe I'm just hoping my own beloved will read this!).

Soft, luxurious underwear is an obvious idea (and will undoubtedly get your partner in a Valentine's mood). But this is no time for three-pack nylon briefs bought off Amazon. You need to show that some thought has gone into this. Think about boxers or boxer briefs in crisp cotton or even silk. Bath robes and lounge pants in patterned cotton can also bring a touch of class to a well-used bedroom item.

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