Clothing for hobbits?

[JackBNimbul]

So basically I'm like a few inches off from legally a "little person", which is really horrible and causes me intense dysphoria.  I'm only 5'0" on a good day and currently 90 lbs.  I'm trying to gain at least 10 lbs.  My issue is that it's been hard enough finding women's clothes to fit me.  Little girls' clothes are cut for...well...little girls (no tapering in the waist, tight in the chest, no room in the hips).  And little boys' clothes are the same (made for narrow chest and shoulders, short torso, thin hips).  Cut for completely different proportions.  If I go up enough in sizing to get away from these issues, the clothes don't fit in other areas (pants too long, shirts too baggy). I'm particularly trying to find comfortable, fashionable pants for my size, a binder that won't cost a fortune, and comfy boxer briefs.

At this point I'm not looking into HRT or packing or any surgery.  I feel like I need to try "dressing the part" and see how it feels, but I'm having a really hard time finding anything that fits 

[aleon515]

I'm 5'1" and normally buy boy's sizes (16 or so, depending). If your proportions are seriously "little persons'", you might have more luck with contacting a Little Person of America group.
I believe actually 5' is the high end for a male. But I believe there are other factors. I knew some little people back a number of years ago, and there are many challenges.
http://www.lpaonline.org/

This link has clothing. Looks like nice normal style clothing that would look good. Not all the links work.
http://www.lpaonline.org/adaptive-products-

For someone just wanting nice clothes for boys (that don't have silly pictures on them and so on) Lands end has nice stuff. But there are other stores as well. I wear "hefty pants" as the waist size is better for me.


--Jay

[JackBNimbul]

I am not proportioned as a little person.  But thanks a ton for rolling with that and taking it in stride!  I've edited my original post to be more clear about the proportion issues I face.

My issue with childrens' sizes (male or female) is they are too long in the leg.  But I have a large butt =_=  So by the time the length is right, I can't fit my ass in them.  Perhaps I just don't know what styles to look at??  This is all so new to me and I'm nervous/afraid to go try on things in a store because I'm not "passing" at all.

[adrian]

Hey Jack, I kind of have the opposite problem, so take what I write with a grain of salt -- but if it's "only" the length of the legs that's a problem I think it would be quite easy and inexpensive to have that altered? So you could buy whatever fits and get the legs shortened.

[MrSeahorse]

I have similar issues with clothing, except I'm also stocky. I'm 5'3 with super broad shoulders and a long torso. Even when I was much thinner, a men's medium T-shirt was the right length and barely big enough in the shoulders. My inseam is an utterly ridiculous 26 to 27 inches, depending on which shoes I'm wearing. If your hips are on the narrower side, try H&M. They are one of the only place I've shopped at with a pretty seamless size transition between the boys and men's departments. The gap also sells pants down to a 28 inch inseam. In the spring and summer, you can also get men's crop pants sometimes. Those are meant to fall lower mid calf, but are exactly the right length to be regular pants for me! Otherwise, learn to hem your pants or make rolling them up neatly seem like an aesthetic choice, which is what I've been doing lately. If you wear shoes that have loops on the back and have pants that are only an inch or two too long, you can also get s-biners. You hook them to the loops of your shoes and then hook the other end to the hemline of your pants. It's a really handy trick.

[aleon515]

A lot of us wear boy's sizes from what I can figure. The proportions may be off, but as people say you can shorten them (or roll them). I do have a friend that is 4'9" which is very short. He does very well, with boy's sizes actually looks pretty cool. Hefty works well and then you get the legs shortened. I can shorten mine. Don't think people normally look at the cuffs.
This company has wide pant legs. THey aren't super cool, but the clothes are affordable and to me hold up. They go down to 28-29 instep. I don't think the shirts work so well.
http://www.blair.com/s/mens/1468.uts

--Jay

[CursedFireDean]

I'd recommend teen trendy places like American Eagle, they sell down to a 26 waist and length and XS tops

[Alexthecat]

The walmart brand "no boundaries" the 'slim straight' fit make my butt feel good, try them out. You might have to shorten the legs a bit if they do not have any shorter than 30 but its better to fit everywhere else then get your grandma to shorten them.

[JackBNimbul]

Thanks, everyone!  You've given me somewhere to start.  I guess I mostly have to bite the bullet and go try things on.  Eek!

[Remiie]

I'm 5ft tall and 98lbs, I know where your coming from here. It took me a while but shopping online has helped me find some great stuff. All my clothes are from River Island mens section online. Smallest size you can get fits like a charm and looks hot!

[Going4Miles]

I'm 5'2", 115 lbs and have a similar build as you, so I can relate to what you're going through when it comes to finding guy clothes that fit and look good.  I also am unable to pass, but on some days, I'm able to look gender ambiguous.  With that, I've been able to build a decent wardrobe that not only passes for male, but looks flattering and kicks ass!    For me, finding pants has been my toughest challenge because of that fact I'm bottom heavy.  I've got heavy thighs, wide hips and a big butt, even though I get plenty of exercise.  Pilates moves helps in reducing the size of the hip, thigh and rear area, but I'm still heavy down there.  With that, I was able to find a great guy wardrobe that fits and looks great on me!  For pants, I wear short women's pants from places like Eddie Bauer and Kohls.  I choose only the pants that look like they can pass for male, and both places have pants that are available in short (petite) lengths.  Since you're only 5 ft though, the short/petite sizes may be a little long, so you may end up taking them to a tailor, but at least they will fit you around the hips, rear and thighs.  Women's short Levi's pants are also good, because they look like men's pants, however, their sizes run SMALL, so they may be too tight.  Right now, my favorite pants are from Kohl's and I highly recommend them.  I am in love with these pants!!!  The side pockets and zippers they have along the leg and knee area are great in that they add a masculine touch and gives a slimming affect.  Those extra pockets is what gives these pants the slimming affect, in that it will draw the attention away from your hip and thigh area.  These are available in short, average, and tall lengths and are in 4 different colors.  Here is a link for the cargo pants .... "Sonoma life + style Slim Straight-Leg Cargo Pants - Women's" http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1896714/sonoma-life-style-slim-straight-leg-cargo-pants-womens.jsp?skuId=95859150
Ignore that they're women's pants because no one will ever guess that they are.  That's how masculine they look!  I wear mine with women's combat boots.  I look like I could kick some serious ass in these pants with those black army style boots of mine.     As for shirts, I found some great looking button down shirts from places like J Crew, Macy's, Lands End and LLBean.  All of my shirts and sweater are in big boy's sizes.  I wear a size 14 and 16 in for boy's shirts and sweaters.  I hope this helps.   

Miles       

[JackBNimbul]

Thanks for the info, Miles!  And everyone else!

[Rengar]

I shop at Hollisterco.com! Their jean sizes go down to 30 in length but you can always get em tapered though the pants go down to 28 in length! You can also get shirts in XS! I'm 5'4" so I'm a little nugget as well. I really like their styles.

[Arch]

American men used to be much shorter a few generations ago. As health and nutrition improve, people get taller. I suspect that the heightening of America is inexorable, even with an influx of immigrants from countries where people are shorter.

Some of the retailers that used to cater to shorter men have dried up in recent years. I used to get a catalog from a place in Ohio--Short Sizes--and I can't find it anymore. You'll find an Internet presence, but no actual site. At least, I didn't.

If you are planning a trip to SoCal, you can try Jimmy Au's or the Jockey Club. I've never been to either one, but I've been tempted. However, I suspect that both cater to men of mature age and probably cost a bit more than you would like to spend. In addition, I don't know how small they actually go.

Apart from these options, I suppose you can haunt the clothing stores and look for smaller sizes, but I think that nearly all of the XS sizes have migrated to online sales only; it just makes good business sense. Unfortunately, you cannot try things on that way.

Or maybe you can get some ideas from Little People of America.

[Arch]

P.S. A few other guys here have recommended American Eagle as well. Search the site and see what old threads (pun intended) you turn up. But used the advanced search, not the basic search.

[aleon515]

Very nice post. Yes, JCrew as well. My sister got my a great button down and tie from the boy's dept. Snazziest thing I own. I get many compliments on the various t-shirts and long sleeve shirts from Lands End boy's. They are helpful in fitting you, if you do a live chat. REI has a smallish boy's but you can get there stuff for about 1/3 the price in boy's. Doesn't have the selection though.

--Jay

found some great looking button down shirts from places like J Crew, Macy's, Lands End and LLBean.  All of my shirts and sweater are in big boy's sizes.  I wear a size 14 and 16 in for boy's shirts and sweaters.  I hope this helps.   

Miles     

[Maleth]

I think that H&M has some great clothing since they carry XS but I find that their boys' size 12-13 fits me perfectly. I am around the same height/weight as you (5'2.5'' // 99 lb currently)

[aleon515]

Oh yeah, H&M. There's men's is actually a bit smaller. I can fit in a jacket right off the shelf. Can't really do this with anybody else's. I thought the boy's would not. The one we have locally I believe is only up to age 8, so don't know what they have exactly. I also get flirted with there which is kind of a kick at my age. LOL

--Jay

I think that H&M has some great clothing since they carry XS but I find that their boys' size 12-13 fits me perfectly. I am around the same height/weight as you (5'2.5'' // 99 lb currently)