For Grooms Marrying Tall (Not Taller) Brides

Each time Yeng goes for a consultation with her potential designers (yes she is still choosing), one thing she never forgets to mention is that she won't be wearing heels. The next couple of minutes would be a routine, with the designers asking her and myself to stand up side by side, after which they make the "hmmmmm" sound with matching nodding heads,and while avoiding my eyes say "oo nga".

I'm used to this and yes, Yeng does look taller than me. But I'm taller than her by a small fraction of an inch which doesn't really count anymore, except to me and my pride.

So anyway, she will be wearing flats for our wedding and I'll be doing my best to look taller.
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Based on my ultra scientific research method (googling), here's a compilation of tips and tricks on how to look taller (without looking like an idiot).

1. Monochromatic dressing is a very effective trick that makes everybody looks slimmer and taller instantly. Color is the first thing most people notice about an outfit. Dressing in one color produces a strong unbroken vertical line that elongates the body. Wear a monochromatic belt, pant, and shoe combination for the longest line possible on the leg. Jerome Lorico has designed a monochromatic look for me, but I'm still partial for a white shirt. I'll maybe have both made and take it from there.

2. Keep the jacket somewhat short, which will help make your legs appear longer. Choose patterns that stress vertical lines. Wear pants somewhat high on waist, and make sure they have healthy break and shorter cuffs or no cuffs. I'm good with this, I'm all for the Dior Homme look.

3. Avoid double-breasted jackets. Double-breasted coats, pocket flaps and single vents as these styles will make you look heavier. Pants should have long rise, and the waist should sit at natural waistline. A belt underneath a paunch only accentuates the weight and makes legs look shorter.

4. Keep your hair short. I'm currently wearing my hair quite long. Not Steven Segal long, more like Jonas Brothers long. I've read that shorter hair generally makes you look taller. When the neck shows, the figure looks elongated. Anything bulky around the neck will make you look shorter. I wasn't planning on maintaining this length anyway and for sure I'll get a proper hair cut a week before the big day.

5. Avoid wearing garments made from stiff materials. Stiff fabrics will make you look square and boxy. Similarly bulky fabrics simply add mass, making your body look bulkier and shorter. Always go for the finer, lighter weight variety. Fabrics, however, should have enough weight to fall naturally without clinging.Since were going for a beach reception, rest assured I won't be wearing anything stiff. It has to be light enough that I won't sweat myself out in San Juan.

6. Ties have to be the right length. After being tied, the tips of the tie should reach the waistband of the trousers.Additionally, I'll be going with a narrow/slim tie that I've read should also add to the vertical lines.

7. It is better for short people to tuck in their shirts. Leaving it untucked and long just serves to shorten you by creating the illusion of shorter legs. Tucking in not only looks neat but prevents you from looking like you’re an eight-year old wearing one of Dad’s button-front shirts for art class. No problem for this one as I don't plan on getting married witgh my shirt untucked.

8. Don't wear platform shoes. Don't look desperate by wearing platform shoes ala Kim Jong-Il. Not only are they uncomfortable, they are also obvious and instead of looking tall, people will notice how tall you are because of shoes, meaning that you are actually short. Wear shoes with thicker soles but are still proportinal to the lines of the shoes. I still don't know what shoes I'm buying, but rest assured it won't be a platform shoe. I'm sticking to my wing tips and/or cap toes.












I don't understand why Tom Cruise is getting all the media coverage for his shoes. It's tall, but they're not ridiculously tall. Why doesn't Bono get the same treatment, when he wears Kim Jong-Il type shoes.?

Tailored vs Off The Rack

There was a time once when the groom's attire was an afterthought. A mere side dish to the main course that was the bride's wedding gown. For suits, RTWs would be the norm, as long as the tie matched the motif. And for the barong, altered off-the-rack pieces from Onesimus would be just fine. Anyway a suit is a suit and a barong is barong. Right?

I remember my first tailored barong (more formally know as the barong tagalog). It was for my Kuya's wedding and I was a secondary sponsor. It was tailored in Lucban, Quezon where residents claim is the birthplace of the Barong Tagalog. I'm not sure about that, but if it were then I won't be surprised. That barong had, what I believe, a classic barong fit: a little bit long and a little bit wide. Nowhere near the slim fit pieces preferred by the younger generation nowadays.

I've had a couple of barongs tailored since then, mostly by the tailors of the groom having the wedding I'll be wearing the barong to. And each time I had a barong tailored the more I would appreciate a tailored piece vs. off the rack. It may be because of my (limited) height and wider than usual shoulder that off the rack pieces don't really fit me.

Now, my first tailored suit was made last year. It was always so difficult getting an RTW to fit me that I always had it altered anyway, so I thought I might as well just get a tailored one. Not only did it fit me better, it also cost less! It was tailored at Anicete's tailoring where I'll have my male entourage's attires tailored as well. You may contact them at 0918 3181238. Look for Mr. Anicete.

Now, for my own attire, I'm again looking at getting a tailored suit. Some may say that getting a known suit designer would cost a lot, but after doing the math, it's not far from what you would pay for a nice suit at Zara. A suit at Zara costs about ~8k and matching trouser would cost ~3.5k. A nice inner shirt would be about ~3k, and  a vest if you could get one to match your suit would be about ~3k as well. A tie at Zara would set you back ~2k. Now that's almost ~20k! If you were to contact some of the more well know designers you'll be very surprised that their pricing isn't that far from this number. With a tailored suit, you'll be paying almost the same but will be assured of a better fit.

I've already met with three designers and I'll be making my decision soon. All of their designs were great so it just comes down to pricing and the rapport I had with them.Of course going for Mr Anicete is cheaper, but I want to stand out from my entourage hence a proper designer is in hand.

Hopefully, when our wedding day comes, my suit won't merely be a side dish to Yeng's gown, but something that would compliment her gown. It can be the puto to Yeng's dinuguan. Complimentary yet the star is still the dinuguan. 

Yeng, if you reached this point, I know you've just cringed at my analogy. Hehehe.