Art of Transliness

Where to Get Men’s Clothes that Fit

So you want to wear men’s clothes but you’re on the short side, or you have a small frame, or you just can’t find clothes that fit right. This is a common problem for transguys in all stages of their transitions. Many guys find themselves buying clothes in the little boy’s section, which is okay but completely avoidable if you’re over 5’3! Personally I’m 5’5 (on a good day) and 130ish pounds and I am able to find clothes that fit comfortably in several different stores. Yes it takes a bit of looking, but it is possible and I’m here to help: 

Jeans: Aeropostale carries jeans (mostly straight and boot cut) in 29X32s, 30x30s, and 42X32s, prime transguy sizes (with prices around $39); Pacsun has great skinny and slim fit jeans in 29X30s and 30X30s which are good for short, skinny guys (prices range from 39-80 dollars); the Levi website carries a variety of cuts in a good range of sizes and prices; American Eagle carries jeans with waist sizes all the way down to 26’s and leg sizes all the way down to 28’s, the smallest sizes I’ve been able to find yet (prices between 39-49 dollars); Gap is best for “adult” jeans and carry many smaller sizes on their website (prices are on the more expensive side, 50-60 dollars but they are the best jeans I’ve ever owned). 

Casual Shirts: American Eagle carries extra-smalls, the only size I could really fit into pre-T, their button downs are still the best fit I’ve been able to find; H&M is good for fashionable but affordable clothes that fit well but they aren’t great for online shopping; Express also carries extra-smalls on their website, but are on the expensive side; threadless.com has fun t-shirts (for 10-15 dollars) and the men’s small is on the smaller side; American Apparel is expensive but fitted and comfy (and also the maker of the best men’s briefs on the planet, in my humble opinion). 

Work Clothes: Old Navy is good, even though their small runs a bit bigger than my liking; Express would be a good place to get a fashionable suit but is very expensive; this urban outfitters blazer looks like it would be great for smaller guys; the Gap is an excellent place for trousers, kahkis, and slacks. 

Outerwear: Eddie Bauer has jackets and coats that are built for serious cold and fit relatively well; other stores I’ve already mentioned like American Eagle and the Gap also carry some nice coats, jackets, and sweaters. 

Some Tips: If you’re planning on starting testosterone soon, don’t spend too much money on clothes. You never know how much you’ll “fill out” on testosterone, I went from an extra-small to a small in 4 months on HRT (I still fit into my extra-small button downs, but none of my fitted t-shirts). Even though I listed a lot of stores that are aimed toward teenagers, you should try to find clothes that don’t look too “young” if you’re trying to look older. If you buy clothes from a “younger” store like American Eagle, avoid buying clothes with the logo or ripped/distressed jeans and buy plain wardrobe staples that fit you nicely but look generic. 

These are just the stores that have worked for me, if they aren’t your style try looking online to see if your favorite retailer has smaller sizes there that they don’t carry in stores or look for stores that have “big and tall” sections (often extended sizes extend to the smaller end of the spectrum as well). If you’ve tried all of these options and still have to shop in the little boy’s section, keep in mind that it’s not always a curse: boy’s clothes are usually cheaper.