In Short, Men’s Clothes have come a long way- but would you say some things have come too far?

I’ll admit it: I am a regular and avid reader of men’s magazines.  Esquire. GQ.  It goes with the territory since my job requires I be “up to date” on the latest styles and trends.  But, the MORE important part of my job is to be able to adapt those styles and trends to real life and create clothes real men really want to wear and CAN wear, with comfort and confidence- and of course, in the correct sizes and fits.

It’s not uncommon, of course, to see a few “outlandish” things, that are actually kinda’ cool and slowly you start to see them worn “on the street.”  For example, I love that this season seems to be awash with bright color- from jeans, to socks, to hats- you name it.  For most of us though, these “trends” are incorporated in our wardrobes in more subtle ways.  A bright colored tie, or a T-shirt that pops worn under a more neutral V-neck sweater. Check out some examples below.

Orange & Blue- great for Spring (and fans of a certain Florida team…but I won’t pick sides!) – available in short and tall tie lengths at ForTheFit.com

A bright, Spring-worthy trio of shorter-length ties, available in short men’s clothing sizes at ForTheFit.com

It’s Spring!  The latest trend: make it POP!  Try pairing a bright colored top with an equally Spring-hued sweater in a light silk, suitable for the season  (featured above: short men’s proportioned fit top in Grass Green, 23.98, and silk blend short men’s sweater in a perfect sky blue “Azure”, 49.98; tall men’s shirts are available,too.  Try our essential Tees and Polos in Tall Men’s Clothing  Sizes, 8 colors from $16.99

But every now and again, a new trend surfaces that leaves me scratching my head.  Take the new “man bags” flooding the marketplace.  Oversized, Mary-Poppins inspired things with straps so short they require the bag be carried by hand.  Beautiful leathers and charming shapes abound, I grant you- but really?  They seem uncomfortable and conspicuous to me.  Modern life requires wheels to move swiftly through the airport.  Easy to open bags from which you can swiftly remove your laptop at security checkpoints.  A bag you can sling on your back or shoulder so you can also manage the newspaper, coffee mug, phone, keys or other slew of items you need both hands to handle at any given time.  Theses new (or old?  they are vintage inspired!) bags just don’t seem practical.  Then again, I am not a man and perhaps you guys have been limited to messenger bags and backpacks for far too long.  Are you ready for a change? In short, men’s clothes has come a long way, but would you say it’s gone too far?  I’d love to hear some opinions- what do you all thing of the new men’s “travel” bags and overnighters?

Yours through thick, thin, (and  tall & short men’s clothing!)  =)

-Consuelo Bova,
CEO, ForTheFit.com for short men’s clothing and tall men’s clothes- slim or stout

ForTheFit.com in the NEWS: Fitting a Nation of MisFits, @St PeteTimes, Mark Albright

As Fall approaches, don’t sweat it- TALL & SHORT men’s fleece, jersey, athletic pants & loungewear are available now IN YOUR LENGTH at ForTheFit.com

They’re here!  Our much anticipated line of men’s fleece, jersey, and other athletic pants (including your favorite zippered track pants) are now in stock.  Exclusively at ForTheFit.com, you will find the athletic pants and loungewear you need in both men’s Tall and Short clothing sizes.

Flexible Sizing for the most hard-to-fit gentlemen:

• Waists XS- XXL
• Inseams from XS (27″) to XT (37″)!!
• Premium fabrics- Fleece, Jersey, Flannel and More
• Proportioned construction for optimal fit
• New STYLES added this year!
• A Variety of colors available in every style

Shop Early for the greatest selection!

-Connie Bova,
CEO, ForTheFit.com

Our short story is getting longer (taller that is)…

Ready for the BIG news?  Want the Skinny? Here’s the tall & short of it…

The Nation’s premier short men’s clothing retailer and purveyor of fashion in hard-to-find sizes, can add to their credit the title of “the Nation’s only Tall & Slim men’s clothing specialist.”   That’s right.  While we do carry Big & Tall sizes, too- we noticed that no one is covering the skinny guy, the long  & lanky gent.  And since it is our goal as a company to take care of fashion business for all the hard-to-fit folks, we’ve decided to tackle this area, too.

So, whether your men’s clothing needs are short and stout, short and slim, tall & lean or big & tall- we’ve got your back at ForTheFit.com (and your tops, and bottoms, too!)

We’re adding new merchandise regularly, so keep checking back with us.  To date:  we have the latest in men’s cotton twill chinos (inseams to 40″), sweats and athletic pants (inseams to 37″), tall t-shirts, longer sleeve dress shirts, extended length ties, and more!  Check us out at ForTheFit.com, now for tall men’s clothing, too .

- Connie Bova,
CEO , ForTheFit.com

Look who got a makeover…

 There are new happenings allover at ForTheFit.com….  let’s start with taking a look at our new makeover!

We’ve updated our look at ForTheFit.com.  The new site certainly has a more modern, clean look and feel- but we hope you’ll also enjoy some of the new additions and customer benefits, including:

• Easy Navigation
• Social Networking -we’ve made it easier to find us on Facebook and Twitter (and save BIG- since Twitter followers and Facebook friends get exclusive deals and first notice of sale events).
• Share your favorite products with friends using the social networking buttons for Facebook on located on every product page!
• Simple one page checkout (and Google Checkout enabled, too for your convenience)
• Product Reviews (read one or leave one!) 
• Gift Registry and Wish Lists available (the Holidays are around the corner, believe it or not- gift registries make shopping so much easier on loved ones, and the results work out better for you too!)
• Now you can earn points on every purchase with MyStyle Rewards

Check it out- visit our new home at ForTheFit.com & tell us what you think- we always appreciate your comments and feedback.

-Connie Bova,
CEO, ForTheFit.com

5 Steps to Better Dressing

A few tips from the resident expert in dressing hard-to-find sizes (particularly petite men and women), Consuelo Bova, CEO of online, specialty retailer and apparel manufacturing company ForTheFit.com:

1) KNOW YOUR SIZE: Fit makes a tremendous difference in our overall appearance. Small, ill-fitting or oversized clothing can make for a very underwhelming first impression. Don’t fixate on the size you think you are, the size you want to be, or even the size tag itself (it’s often wrong or purposely misrepresented for marketing purposes). Instead, learn to take your measurements and judge clothes according to their size and fit to your body.

2) KNOW YOUR STYLE: The latest magazines and celebrity style are a great place to start, but ultimately the clothes buy and wear need to be right for you, your personal style and body type. Reference the latest trends to keep your style current, but make sure to adapt your choices to suit the best styles for your body and personality.

3) KNOW YOUR STORE: We should all have a “store.” The place that in a pinch, you know you can quickly find the right styles for your taste, in your sizes, and in your price range. Get to know the staff. Knowledgeable and friendly staff at a store worth visiting and spending your money at will alert you when the best items for you hit the shelf so you have your best pick of sizes and styles. Identify what that store is for you- it is a great way to build the foundation to a great new wardrobe and maintain it. Visit other stores mostly for your wardrobe “spice” .

4) KNOW YOUR COLOR: Don’t underestimate the importance of wearing the right colors for your skin tone and hair. The wrong shade of a color can wash you out and ruin an otherwise great looking and well-fitting outfit. Learn what your best colors are and stick to them. Again if the trendy color is not “your color,” don’t wear it- just adjust the “trend” to a different shade that does work for you.

5) ASK AN HONEST FRIEND: We all need an honest fashion friend and shopping companion. A person that will tell you the painful truth about whether an outfit suits you or not. In exchange for their invaluable services, promise not to be hurt by their critiques, okay?

Good luck and great clothes,

C. Bova, CEO ForTheFit.com

Socks… To Match? or Not to Match?…

That is (among) the questions, our style experts here at ForTheFit.com are asked most often.

“Should I match my socks to my pants? My shirt? My shoes?? Wear whatever is clean? Help!!!”

Unfortunately, there is no one, perfect answer. Heck, mostly it’s up to you. But, we’ll do our best to dispel the myths, offer the basics, and get you taking a step in the right direction for you!

There is one, hard, fast rule: DON’T match your socks to your shoes, this blurs the line between your feet and your legs. Makes you look shorter. Just don’t do it.

If you are a dapper, dressy sort, then consider this: DO match your socks to your pants. Black Suit= Black Socks. Navy trouser= Navy socks.

Khaki Pants= Khaki… STOP. See Below.

For a more casual look, and for dressy looks if you are the more stylish type : DO match your socks to an accessory such as a tie or pocket square, or for the khaki pants example, match to your shirt. DO opt for subtle patterns that are in step with the rest of your outfit.

At ForTheFit.com, we have both solids (to match our best-selling dress trousers) and patterns to rock those khaki’s and jeans! Best of all, our socks are available in the impossible to find men’s size Small (5-8) .

So what is your take on matching sock matter? We’d love to knowwhat you think! Use the voting buttons below to cast your vote!

Also, remember that Father’s Day is around the corner (June 20, 2010!). Socks don’t usually rank high on anyone’s gift list, but if your Dad is still wearing Khaki or White socks with everything, maybe it’s time to give him a leg-up! Try some patterns and other fun styles!