Holiday Guide 2009 is Up! Golf Gear, Cords, News & Updates, Oh My!

Happy Fall! It is actually crisp (FINALLY) in Florida so we are enjoying the cooler weather and getting in the Holiday spirit!

To that end, our much anticipated Holiday Gift Guide 2009 is here! It is chock full of new and already popular items- check it out! On the right side of our home page, you will also find our Holiday Shipping deadlines and a link for our special, Holiday return policy (we’re giving you extra-time on purchases made after Nov. 1, 2009).

Also new this year: for the last-minute shoppers, we’ve identified a selection of best-selling items available for immediate shipment, with guaranteed delivery by the 24th of December. Check out our Last-Minute Gift Guide here. When ordering from the Last-Minute Gift Guide, you may order as late as Dec. 21, 2009 at 12 noon EST and your order should arrive by 12/24! Yep- the Holiday Season is in full swing!

Speaking of “Swings,” our micro-fiber, short-rise shorts and other specialty, athletic apparel in short men’s sizes was highlighted in a Holiday Gift Guide in the St. Petersburg Times this week , “Golfer’s guide to finding places that specialize in niche golf equipment,” by Rodney Page. The article also included some small businesses that specialize in nifty, specialty items for the Golfer on our list- like left-handed gear, special carts, women’s and children’s clubs, accuracy-enhancing golf balls (and who, besides Tiger, couldn’t make use of those!).

For those of you who love the fit of our Berle Short-Rise Chinos and Washable-Wool Trousers, our New Corduroy Trousers have arrived (Short-Rise, Short Inseam & New Colors this year!) .   The fit is the same as your favorite Berle pants, but the styles and colors are so much better for this season!  Enjoy your Holiday Shopping, but also remember to relax and enjoy this delightful season (can you tell it’s my most favorite time of the year?)

Best.

Consuelo Bova,
CEO, ForTheFit.com

The Measure of a Man: A resource for the ladies…

Taking measurements is a fairly simple process- a soft measuring tape and some basic instructions is all you need. But, measuring the man in your life requires a little more- more permission, more convincing…

“I thought size didn’t matter…”
It is if you want to buy clothes that fit so that you look your best. Specifically, you want your guy to look his best ( a well-dressed man can be an excellent accessory!)

“But he hates shopping…”
He won’t once he knows his actual size. Knowing his actual size will make it easier (and therefore more fun) to shop. A bonus: If you know his size, it will be easier for you to shop & buy him gifts.

Tell him he has your permission to have a Fit…

Start at the top and working your way down. Don’t forget to write everything down as you go so he’ll have the list for later.

1. Collar size: Simply measure around the base of his neck. If he intends to wear the shirt with a tie, the shirt size selected should closely match his exact collar measurement. However, a shirt to be worn without a tie may be purchased slightly larger (by about a 1/2 size) for comfort and a more casual look.
2. Chest size: Have him relax his arms at his sides and measure around the fullest part of his chest with the tape measure just below his armpits.
3. Overarm Measurement: Measure the circumference of his chest and arms (at the highest point of his shoulder blades). Subtract chest measurement from his overarm measurement. This measurement can be useful when buying a jacket or sportcoat- if the difference is 7 inches or greater, we recommend buying jackets one size larger for comfort and a better fit in the upper arms and shoulders.
4. Arm: Have him bend his elbow 90 degrees and place his hand on his hip. Stand behind him and hold the tape at the center back of his neck. Measure across his shoulder to his elbow, and down to his wrist. The total length in inches is his sleeve length.
5. Waist: Measure loosely (so he can breath) around his natural waistline. Many men wear trousers well below the natural waist, under the belly if they carry extra weight around the mid-section- but this can actually make him look heavier than he actually is. For belts, choose a size 1-2 inches larger than his actual waist size.
6. Rise: Rise refers to the distance between the top of a trouser’s waistband and the top of the trouser leg’s inseam (at the crotch). Measure his favorite (and best fitting) pants by measuring along the trouser’s seam , or start from scratch (especially if his pants are too tight or too baggy through the buttocks, crotch and thighs). Guys under 5′9″ often benefit from short rise pants.
7. Inseam: An inseam can be measured using a pair of pants that fit well (see ForTheFit.com’s Style Guide for tips on perfect length). Measure from the crotch seam (where all the fabric meets), down the pant leg all the way to the end. If he does not have a pair of pants of the proper length right now, you’ll need at least pants that fit properly in the waist. From those you can judge where you want the pants to stop. Proper length may vary whether your man is wearing jeans or crisp dress pants, but never by more than an inch and a half. Also, you will want to take the inseam for each leg if you want to have custom pants made because the length may not be the same for each leg. Lastly, if his current trousers are regular rise and you are considering a switch to short rise, keep in mind that the new placement of the crotch will affect the inseam length- adjust accordingly.

And if he’s really stubborn…

• Remind him how much more fun it could be taking measurements with you, than visiting his tailor- Earl
• Bribe him- a favorite meal, a massage, whatever it takes!
• Swap- he can take your measurements next. It can’t hurt (too many women are slaves to the number on the tag- it’s important to know your size, too- Plus, how much better will it be when his gifts to you are actually the right size.)
• Because you said so.
• Feeling frisky? Offer to take measurements… wearing nothing but the measuring tape. We doubt he’ll say no.

Good luck (& Better Fit)!

A Short Transition to the Holiday Season: Annual Short Men’s Gift Guide is up at ForTheFit.com

The Holiday Season seemed to kick in early for us at ForTheFit.com. Despite an overall weak economy, we saw a significant lift in Holiday Sales as early as October 1st – a fact for which we are very grateful to our new and repeat customer’s alike! Nonetheless, we wanted to alert our readers to the fact that ForTheFit.com’s annual Men’s Holiday Gift Guide is up.

This year, in additional to our usual recommendations of short-inseam sweatpants and loungewear, we are proud to offer an assortment of more traditional and luxury gift items, sized for the shorter man.

Men's Short-Rise Charleston Khaki Cord, Exclusively at ForTheFit.com

For one, exclusively at ForTheFit.com, we are offering the Charleston Khaki brand of trousers in a short rise, corduroy model for the Fall/Winter season (supplies are limited, shop early for best selection).

We also have an assortment of sweaters (v-neck, crew and polo styles in silk, cotton & cashmere) available from Men’s Size Extra-Small. We’re also offering Outerwear in Leather, Suede & Fleeced (also from Size XS). Our favorite? The R-Tek Recycled Fleece Vest- it’s warm, inexpensive ($39.99), eco-friendly, and sized from XS- it doesn’t get better than this!

Shown In Navy, from size XS, $39.99 at ForTheFit.com

For more, check out our Holiday Gift Guide.

Also, we haven’t officially published the dates on our Home Page yet… but it appears that our cutoffs for Guaranteed Holiday Delivery are as follows:

Orders placed by December 10th at Midnight PST… guaranteed delivery for December 22nd

Orders placed by December 12th at Midnight PST…guaranteed delivery for December 24th

Beyond the dates above, we will do our best to get packages out in time for the Holidays, but we can make no promises (especially in the case of special order merchandise). Shop Early to ensure that your selections are available and delivered on time

Here’s to a joyful (& stress-free!) Holiday Season for all,

C. Bova,

CEO, ForTheFit.com