r/short

I used to work construction as a carpenter, and our foreman was this 5'6" guy who commanded more respect than just about anyone I've ever met. He was a hardheaded, tough SOB, but I've never seen someone put that much fear into people just by talking to them. The guy had forearms the size of tree trunks and a presence that made everyone listen when he spoke.

And the funny thing is, his height never seemed to cross our minds. I wouldn't even call it Napoleon syndrome. He wasn't trying to compensate for anything. That was just who he was. People either feared him or respected the hell out of him, sometimes both.

I'm 6'1", and it wasn't until recently that I even realized this guy was short. I saw a social media post about height being an intimidating factor, and it got me thinking about the most intimidating people I've encountered in my life. He was the first person who came to mind, and keep in mind, this was almost 10 years ago lol.

The way you carry yourself, your confidence, your competence, and the respect you command matter a hell of a lot more than a few inches of height.

I am a short woman, 5’1, which is seen as more acceptable. But even with it being more acceptable for women, I still can’t help but just feel spoken down to a lot. People make jokes and I just feel uncomfortable. I don’t like the idea of someone having to look down to talk to me. Makes me feel like some kind of child.

But it’s way worse in actual romantic settings. I hate the feeling of being with someone taller than me. I have and each time I felt strangely overmatched. But every time I’ve dated someone who was about my height, no taller than 5’5, I’ve been way happier. I feel like I can actually hold a conversation when I’m eye level with them. I feel like an adult. And I never hear bullshit about being short. Even as a joke I think those kinds of comments have a real ability to make people uncomfortable.

I don’t know this rant kind of went all over the place, but in short, I’d just say that dating someone in your height range always feels more natural and connected. At least for me. Goes for taller people as well.

I’m 16f, an height in my family is very uneven. on my dads side, it’s safe to say they’re all pretty short (5’6, tallest 5’9) and on my moms side, height ranges from 5’8-6’8 no joke.

well I got my period at 11 years old and was maybe 5ft when that happened. 5 years later im now stuck at 5’3.

now dont get me wrong-i know that’s a pretty average height for females and isn’t necessarily bad, but in my family (my dads family is across the country so I’m always with my moms side ) i look really small by comparison.

my mom was originally 5’9 (she has a disease affecting her height/weight now tho) and all my uncles are well into the higher six foot somethings. I’m roughy older than 50% of my cousins, but it’s safe to say you would never think that by looking at us. seriously all my cousins have well outgrown me, and my younger cousins I’m close to (12m 5’4, 10f she hasnt surpassed my yet but her parents are both 5’11+ and my sister 11f 5’2 ….i swear I sound stupid comparing myself to literal kids but I’m just bummed asf) are either passed me, or definitely gonna outgrow me.

well of course theres gonna be a shortest cousin, but I just didn’t want it to be me lols. I told my mom/my sister was present when I was talking about this, and it’s became the biggest weapon against me. every time theres an argument a comment about my height is always mentioned (usually with my sister, my mom uses this as an excuse to tell me I don’t take care of myself) and of course all the village grandmas and what not love to point out how I’m small as hell.

im just frustrated with myself and needed to rant. thanks to anyone who read through.

I’ve always found that shortening jeans doesn’t necessarily fix everything else, the knee position, taper and even pocket placement can still look wrong.

I’m researching whether there’s enough demand for jeans designed specifically around shorter proportions rather than simply shortening standard jeans.

I’m particularly interested in hearing from guys wearing 26–30” inseams.

Is this something you struggle with, or have you found brands that already fit properly?

Question for the men below 5’6 and women below 5’0.

pretty much js the title. I dont feel like I've really grown up I guess. next to other men I just feel like I look so much younger and I'm harder to take seriously in general. it's hard to find clothes that fit me properly too idk I just feel like a little boy playing dress up when i do anything.

I want to feel cool and powerful but I'm below 5'7 so I mean nevermind I guess.

does anyone understand