I remember the first time I ever heard about leg lengthening. It was in 2009 and I was about to enter the final year of my twenties. I was surfing early YouTube and checking both my MySpace and Facebook accounts (remember those days?). Barack Obama had just entered the White House and people all over the country were panicking about their finances. I have zero idea why this appeared on my feed, but a news story popped up about some Indian-American student in Florida paying $80,000 (yes, you ready that correctly) just. to become two inches taller? Really? Did some kind of medical breakthrough emerge that would allow people (read: shorter guys) who already passed puberty the “privilege” of growing taller still? Is the “curse” of being short now a thing of the past? Not quite. Read on.

Introduction

First off, if you’ve been reading the blog posts on this site, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being short. If you ask most short people, I would imagine, after interacting with thousands of shorter men and women in this space (maybe we can call it the compact-o-sphere?), being short is almost never the issue, it’s how people are treated because they’re short that might drive someone to explore such a procedure. Still yet, when I came across the newsbyte, this gentleman, who was in his first year of medical school was tired of it all. Whether it was a photo-op or not, the clip ended in a shot of him and his new girlfriend who plainly said (verbatim), “I don’t think I would date ____ if he were shorter than me”. This guy was now about three to four inches taller than she was, and she knew him before the procedure.

What a mind screw that was. Even at that age, I thought to myself, who has $80K to drop to do such a thing. Now, I wasn’t interested in this surgery for myself, but in the procedure for my own knowledge. Well, learning about it did it for me. They intentionally cut bones in your legs, put on an external metal fixator, have you turn rods one millimeter a day for close to two months (i.e. two inches). You have to be careful, as infections can occur at the sites where the pins of the fixator make contact with your skin, and then all of this is followed with months of physical therapy. Who has the time for this? What if you’re a career guy? What if you can’t take more than two weeks of vacation from your job? Then, what will you tell people when they try to figure out how you grew at 28, 32, 41, or whatever.

Okay, so that is how long ago my discovery of this was. Things have changed significantly since then. At this time, it appeared that a number of doctors (enough to count on one hand) offered such a procedure. Now, doctors all over the world provide this. The technology has gotten better. They can insert rods into your bones. This is still not a quick in and out surgery. You have to be monitored for months and you may not be back to normal for a year or two. Yes, all for a few inches. The price of this procedure today, at least in the United States falls in the $80K-$130K range.

Going back to the rabbit hole, around this same time, I came across forums where people discussed their journey. From discussing what drove them to the procedure. For many, it was the feeling of inadequacy, exhausted from constantly being underestimated, being rejected from the vast majority of women they approached or being mocked by women they didn’t approach. Some of these posters were as young as nineteen and as old as sixty. Who at sixty years old, would still be bothered by this? Well, on this forum you found hundreds who were most likely quiet about this in the real world. Some were even married! Go figure.

Okay, with this long introduction, I am in no way disparaging the recipients of said surgery. Even as successful as I have been as a compact gentleman, every one of these sentiments echoed by the people on that forum I have experienced in some form? So why them and not me? I do not say this to put down anyone, but I am okay with who I am and really could care less what others think (most of the time). I have worked hard for my lot in life and know too many taller individuals who may be winning on the social scene (more like won when they were younger, but now not so much), but are not feeling as at peace and as accomplished as myself. Still when I read about the many who are now a bit more open with preparing for and going through the journey, I usually say to myself, “ I get it”.

How It Became A Thing

The surprising things are the facts from research. Leg Lengthening was developed by Soviet Doctor Illazarov in 1951. This means the procedure is nearly eighty years old, though originally, it was intended to correct leg deformities, not for cosmetic purposes. The procedure predates silicone breast augmentation, which is now a common procedure for women by about eleven years (Timmie Jean Lindsay was the first woman to receive silicone breast implants via surgery in 1962). It also predates Gastric Bypass surgery, the de facto procedure to force weight-loss (before Ozempic became the holy grail) by about fifteen years. I make these comparisons because these tend to be the most talked about sources of female insecurity, envy and dysmorphia.

In the current social and new media spaces, just the idea of a man undergoing this procedure is typically met with vitriol. “Accept yourself”. “All of that for just a few inches”. “Enjoy being crippled from now on”. “Your kids will still be short”. Seldomly will you find this backlash with the same intensity directed toward breast augmentation, gastric bypass, Ozempic usage, hair transplants, Brazilian but lifts, or pick your cosmetic procedure. “Hey, your kids won’t inherit that new nose either?” might be the appropriate response.  This is not to say that there isn’t any strong criticism toward other procedures, but not quite with this gravity. View posts on social media or or comments in online articles for the latter. You’ll find plenty of critics, but also many defenders. This does not seem to be the case with LL. Almost unanimously will you see disappointment, shunning and shaming. The same people with this attitude will be the first to scold the patient for going in this direction and will find a way to insult him for his height on the same post.
 

The Ugly

About ten years ago (sheesh, it’s been that long), I read an article in the magazine Medium about an Indian American woman who mourned for her genius brother who went on to work for some big tech companies after college because he passed on due to complications from cosmetic leg lengthening. I remember being a bit unnerved because while she recognized that being under average height plagued him, and that she used to clown him for his height, and that she flaunted her monolithic height preference, she still managed to blame his “patriarchal views” and “misogyny” for his own death. She then painted herself as the victim (of said patriarchy) for the majority of the article, i.e., the death was a minor footnote, her blaming him for her own problems was the bulk of the writing. Yuck.

Well, yes, complications can arise from this procedure, and death is a remote, but rare possibility. This seems to be the faux-source of a lot of the harsh criticism of LL. I have to say, “So?!”. There are no overall stats to track deaths from the procedure, however, data from pooled cohort studies show a zero percent fatality rate. Severe complications include nerve damage, hardware failure and bone healing. The percentages there are five percent on the low end. How about other cosmetic procedures? Capsular Contracture (hard scar tissue squeezing an implant) affects around 19% of breast augmentation patients. At least once or twice a year, I read news reports of people dying on operating tables from Brazilian butt lifts (modern estimates 1 in 14,900). Overall complication rates from LL fall in the 35% with the majority of them being infections near fixature pin sites. BBLs on the other hand have a complication rate of 38%. What is the point of these comparisons? It is not to disparage those who undergo BBLs, breast augmentation, rhinoplasties, etc. Rather, all surgeries have complications risks. All. Period. Full stop.

But LL isn’t a BBL. It requires months to recover, and as pointed out earlier, a year or more to return to complete normalcy. There is always a possibility of some issue down the line. On that note, there are plenty of stories about implants rupturing years down the line. You get my point. You need your legs man (you need your other body parts too, but how will get walk to the train if you’re out of commission due to complications?) It’s why orthopedic surgeons get paid so much.

Back to prices. I will not endorse any surgeon in this writing, and my mentioning of any are strictly because they appeared in articles and news videos I came across when listening to LL patients tell their stories. One name that kept coming up was Dr. Dror Paley. He was the surgeon that explained in details all of the required components (appointments, tests, etc) that went into a successful procedure in that video that I saw way back in 2009. One thing I remember is hearing him say that all patients had to go through a psychological examination. He also mentioned that (I’m paraphrasing here), that he offers this procedure because he is trained, and that if he didn’t offer it, someone else would, who might not have the expertise and background. It felt like a warning. 

The New Ones

Almost a decade after that 2009 video, height as a preference and the mocking of shortness took center stage in new media. From Pop The Balloon clips, trends on Tik-Tok (the “height difference I deserve” trend ring a bell?), female posters on women’s forums mocking shorter men, podcasters giving a platform to have many women share their disgust at the idea of entertaining a shorter guy, and influencers boasting about the advantages to being taller (i.e. more money, more promotions, more options in the dating market). It’s not surprising then, that as an answer to this movement, you began to see a myriad of content responding to this, be it reaction videos by men not affected by heightism observing the phenomenon from the outside, complaint videos from shorter guys, blog posts discussing feelings of ostracization, men having episodes (the so-called “bagel guy”, and YouTube’s own “Kent” come to mind), and even less surprisingly, men seeking LL as a solution, but in a now overt “mainstream” kind of way—"this is the way, and I’m going to let the whole world follow me on my journey!”. The number of vlogs chronicling the LL process from start to finish were becoming more common, where just a few years ago, these discussions would take place on the private anonymous forums I highlighted earlier. Before I discuss those “new ones”, I want to talk about some notable and borderline viral “mental health” and mocking episodes.

While spring is pretty much on the horizon, we’re not quite done with the winter chill just yet! This means you can’t put away your winter clothes for now. The truth is - most of your body heat escapes through your head, hands, and feet, especially if you aren’t well-stocked up on the right winter fashion accessories.

Sounds like a bummer? We bet. From cozy merino wool and sheepskin to insulating alpaca and thermal fabrics, the right materials in your wardrobe will help you breeze through the frigid season. Let’s explore some of the top winter fashion accessories all of us shorter men must own! 

See Also: Tonal Winter Outfit Ideas For Shorter Men

WINTER FASHION ACCESSORIES

Winter isn’t just about layering up; it’s also about bringing out your style. This calls for the right choice of winter fashion without adding unnecessary bulk. It’s an epic opportunity us shorter guys to showcase our wardrobes, once again underscoring the fact that height need not get in the way of fashion-sense.

In 2022, the winter wear market hit 285 billion USD, and it’s safe to assume the figures will only grow as people continue to get exposed to hip fashion ideas. Without further ado, here’s a list of winter fashion accessories for shorter men and why they’re all must-haves:
 

OVERSHOES

Your feet lose the most heat, and that’s where overshoes step in to keep cold and wet feet at bay. The good news? They slip right over your regular shoes to protect them from snow, rain, and cold weather so your feet, outside of normal sweat, will stay dry. Most importantly, they’ll protect your shoes from the elements, namely from getting ruined by salt spread on the streets before and during snowstorms. Some picks to check out include:
 

CLASSIC OVERSHOES

Made with a slip-resistant traction sole, these classic ankle-high overshoes make the perfect companion for cold weather. Plus, the increased heel and width ensure they give enough space fit over bulky shoes. Their matte finish helps with giving you a more balanced look.

WINTER NON-SLIP SNOW OVERSHOES

With winter still around, the winter non-slip snow overshoes offer the best protection against the harshest conditions. Featuring a long tube-like design which go up to the calf, they save your feet and lower pants from seeping into the mud or ice while you walk around and go about your day. 

ALL SEASON WATERPROOF OVERSHOES

Or would you like something that styles you up year-round? Made with 500 denier nylon upper with strong waterproof abilities, the NEOS Voyager overshoes are your best bet for all outfits from formal to casual.
 

ALPACA AND MERINO WOOL SCARVES

Short guys who know their style know that the right scarves have what it takes to achieve a well-proportioned, fuller and classier look. Alpaca wool gives you unmatched softness and warmth while merino wool is made with fine fibers for incredible insulation and temperature regulation. Our top picks include:
 

GAMBOA ALPACA SCARF

As a mix of cashmere, silk, and Alpaca wool, the Gamboa Alpaca scarf beats the cold without bulking up your whole outfit. The luxurious feel and look of this scarf perfectly shows why some men are called the ‘TheLowerView.’ 

INCA FASHIONS ALPACA SCARF

If you’re seeking a warm scarf in multiple colors that exude timeless elegance, the Inca Fashions Alpaca Scarf is by far the best pick. This unisex scarf ensures thermo-regulating warmth, so it won’t overheat you. 

AUSTRALIAN MERINO WOOL SCARF

The Merino Wool Tartan Knitted scarf for men is yet another fantastic piece, and it’s easy to see why. With a multicolor options and plaid pattern, you can pair it with any casual outfit for a more formal finish, or with formal outfit for an exceptionally elite look.

See Also: Best Glasses For Small And Narrow Faces

THERMALS

If there is any non-negotiable in the cold when discussing winter fashion accessories for shorter men, thermals are absolutely on that list. Thermals, especially the bottom piece (pants) will keep you warm. Throw in the top piece and it becomes ideal for the shorter man who wishes to remain cozy without being weighed down by bulky layers. The top options include:

 

MERINO WOOL FULL THERMAL SET

The Merino Wool Thermal set gives men a full day of comfort and no itch. It’s also available in lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight options.

 

FRUIT OF THE LOOM THERMAL PANTS

Made with cotton and recycled polyester, the Fruit of the Loom Thermal pants are ideal for the current season, with spring around the corner. The fitted look makes it ideal for shorter men who value their style. This is a personal favorite. As someone who has sensitive skin, these have never given me a problem.

THERMAJOHN FLEECE-LINED THERMALS

Super soft and warm, the Thermajohn Fleece thermals will of course keep your warm and it’s pattern-less design makes the top piece look like a stylish shirt, while the whole set gives a sleek and dressy appearance.

EXTRA WARM HATS

Heat leaves your head at roughly the same rate as it does your feet! Your parents probably repeatedly told you to wear a hat in your youth. It’s time we listen! To prevent heat from escaping that cool head of yours, it’s worth investing in extra warm hats, such as:
 

SHEEPSKIN AVIATOR HAT

Manufactured using 100%  shearling sheepskin, the Sheepskin Aviator hat fully covers your head, ears, and neck to beat extreme cold.
 

DANISH ENDURANCE MERNIO WOOL HAT

The Danish Merino Wool Hat makes an elegant choice, prioritizing your comfort while still showcasing head-turning fashion sense due to its tight-knit design. 

OCTAOMA WINTER BEANIE WITH EARFLAPS

The  double-layered Octaoma Winter Beanie comes with earflaps to keep you extra warm and will fit almost all head sizes. Plus, they make perfect companions for your winter-season adventures. 

SLOUCHY BEANIE

For shorter men seeking extra comfort, a slouchy beanie like this one is a cool option that allows you to look fashionably hip, no matter how cold it gets. Perfect for casual outfits with chinos or jeans as the foundation.

See Also: Alterations For Short Men: Blazers

STYLISH GLOVES

Nobody wants to keep taking off their gloves just to use phones and devices in winter. Luckily, gloves with touchscreen capabilities and convertible mittens allow you to scroll, text, or tap without the hassle. The following options are worth considering:

NAPPA LEATHER WITH TOUCH

Nappa Leath gloves are made with sheepskin to give your hands a soft touch. The good news? As a shorter guy, you can opt for the perfect fit due to their plethora of size options. 

FLEECE LINED WOOL GLOVES

Made with merino wool, these fleece-lined wool gloves give you an all-over silicone print on the palms and fingertips. This lets you grab what you want, use your phone, and carry out all your daily tasks with your gloves on which of course equals warmth and comfort. 

STYLISH MERINO GLOVES WITH TOUCH

When speaking of the best winter fashion accessories for shorter men, these stylish Merino gloves with touch would take the top spot for many from our suggestions in this article. Their stretchy snug fit allows fast typing and quick taps on your phone easy and straightforward.

WOOL CONVERTIBLE MITTENS

Fashion and style for shorter men almost peaks with the elegant wool convertible mittens made up of half wool and half acrylic. By lifting the strong Velcro strip, you can snap off the mitten portion to expose your bare fingertips, making scrolling, swiping and device operation a snap without any inconveniences or discomfort. Add to that, they will make for a great conversation piece.

EXTRA WARM SOCKS

This list of winter fashion accessories for shorter men would not be complete without extra warm socks. Here are a few options to help you step up your short man sock game:
 

THERMAL MERINO WOOL HIKING SOCKS

If you’re an adventure lover, investing in thermal socks like Thermal Merino Wool Hiking socks is a must. They’re made with itch-free material and superior cushioning to ensure shorter men can enjoy their expeditions to the fullest!

WEATHERPROOF CREW SOCKS

Weatherproof Crew socks are an excellent choice and there’s a reason why there are so many reviews. They fit snugly throughout the day while staying taut, so your ability to style never suffers. Though marketed as crew socks, their neutral color offerings will lend themselves to any formal getup. These are a personal favorite. I sometimes double these over regular crew socks to add extra comfort and padding when wearing footwear with thinner soles so I don’t feel ever nuance on the ground.

STRONG UMBRELLAS

Stylish clothing and accessories for shorter men are one thing, but staying dry and braving the elements are another. In winter, strong umbrellas are a must. As shorter guys, many of us prefer items that are extremely compact for the convenience, so here are some great options:
 

TELESCOPIC HARDSHELL UMBRELLA

Designed for incredible durability, the double-canopy Telescopic Hardshell Umbrella is the ultimate winter companion. The ultra-water-resistant fabric keeps rain, wind, and snow at bay, covering your fashionable outfit. It’s telescopic mechanism makes a breeze to carry.
 

TINY COMPACT STRONG UMBRELLA

The Tiny Compact Strong Umbrella allows single-handed operation for hassle-free water and wind protection. With 9 fiberglass ribs, it is strong for its size. Since it’s available in multiple colors, you can choose one that perfectly complements your winter fit. Small enough to pack light.
 

EXTRA TINY UMBRELLA

As the name implies, the Extra Tiny Umbrella is made with a highly wind-resistant canopy that protects your style in harsh winters. Among other winter fashion accessories for shorter men, this makes an exceptional choice to withstand winters. “Extra tiny” is an accurate descriptor too. It’s so small, you can store it almost completely flush in one of your backpack’s side pockets.

WINTER CLOTHING BEST PRACTICES AND WARNINGS

Now that we’ve seen the list of winter fashion accessories for shorter men, it’s time to shift focus towards the best practices and warnings of styling up in the season. As a short man, don’t forget to note the following winter fashion accessories for men:
 

1. To avoid cold, wet socks or sweaty gloves, opt for moisture-battling materials that facilitate breathability. Either way, avoid keeping on wet socks!
2. Instead of stacking up layers, choose smart insulating materials like thermals that trap heat when you can.
3. While many winter coats advertise warmth, consider the material depending on the weather. For example, while wool has some water resistance, it definitely attracts snow.
4. Ensure your boots have a proper grip to get you through icy terrain.
    

Got it?

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CONCLUSION

When it comes to winter fashion accessories for us shorter guys, there are so many options. All it takes is the knowledge of where to look, your personal style considerations, and an eagerness to conquer the brutal weather. Let nothing hold you back!

Wish to explore how top-tier short men dress up during winter and beyond? Join us at TheLowerView and get in touch with fellow short men to amp up your style!

Like This Article? Chat About It And More On Our Forum For Shorter Men

Double standards. Society is packed to the brim with 'em. As short men, we've often been on the receiving end of these ugly social sins. Here's one we can all relate to: getting the runaround from a woman taller than us, who then goes off the deep end herself when a man much taller than her treats her the same way. What goes around comes around I guess.

See Also: Why Men Should Lie About Their Height On Dating Profiles
 

Over the past few years, a new social demographic has loomed large: the BBW, or "Big Beautiful Woman". Classically the butt of bad jokes around the office, and perpetually relegated to the distant back corner in clubbing photos with her girlfriends, the BBW is now large and in charge. The signs of this phenomenon are everywhere, but you'd be hard-pressed to pinpoint exactly when it began. One minute Kate Moss is the supermodel par excellence, the next Melissa McCarthy is Hollywood's new "It Girl". There are entire stores now devoted to BBW fashion, and it has become social suicide to engage in fat-shaming.

There Is No Shortage Of "Bigger Women Are Better" Memes Online | Source: Plus Sized Modeling
 

It's a truly unique phenomenon - larger men have yet to break the fat stigma. Many bigger women, on the other hand, are no longer ashamed to flaunt their curves, and they make damn sure you know it. Heck, even the term BBW is about as assertive as it gets. A ton of new dating sites cater to men (or women) who want to date BBWs, sporting names like "The Big and the Beautiful" and "Large Friends". 

Does The Bigger Is Better Mantra Apply To Women Only?

While we as short men should celebrate whenever a traditionally overlooked or ridiculed section of society asserts themselves and earns a little respect, not even the BBW phenomenon is without its share of contradictions. BBWs, after all, are human, and to be human is to err. Thus we have it that this BBW, newly-infused with the pride of her tribe, can be caught discriminating against a shorter man, and then belittle the guy after he turns the tables on her. Apparently, for her, it's ok to hate on us short guys, but God forbid we express a preference for slender women?

This Post-Tinder Conversation Went Viral After Appearing On Reddit.com
 

I'm sure that this kind of behavior is an anomaly among larger women. The many BBWs I know are sweet, empathetic, and in many cases, incredibly sexy. But that one, hopefully fringe case does speak to a definite cultural lag. Short men as a whole have yet to carve out the same kind of social “cool” that BBWs have, and height shaming is a very real thing - as any short man can tell you. This leads to very demoralized confessions from men who probably have great qualities, but are short. Buzzfeed, the online magazine recently did a piece in height shaming which featured some of these "confessions".

 

Height Shaming Quote | Source: Buzzfeed

Some other confessions featured in that Buzzfeed piece:
 

• "Because I'm a short guy, people think it's hilarious to call me Frodo or tell me to 'follow the yellow brick road'. F--- off."
• "I'm a short male. I try my best to accept it and love myself but I hate it."
• "I can't stand being a short guy. I work out. I try to be the best me, but I know most women will ignore me. The sad thing is I can't get mad at them. It is what it is."

Women are not the only ones society shames for their bodies. In fact, socially, women are often praised for shaming men for their lack of height.

What would the response be if the genders were reversed and weight was the joke?

We short men, as members of society, are compelled to follow its rules. Therefore, we're made to give BBWs the new-found respect they've secured for themselves. I have no problem with this, and as an admirer of beautiful women, I genuinely enjoy being with women of all sizes who feel confident about themselves - self-perception is half the battle after all.But when will we get our day in the sun?

See Also: Beware Of The Reformed Heightist Woman

Unfortunately, waiting forlornly for a dawn that may never come isn't likely to do us any favors. Trying to figure out in which direction and how fast social norms will change is about as easy as picking winning lottery numbers. There are trends, though, and they look promising. If Lenny Kravitz (5'6) and Manny Pacquiao (5'5) can both be spoken of highly without their height being mentioned disparagingly, we're on to something good. Short men can also point with pride to people like Kevin Hart (5'2) and Daniel Radcliffe (5'4), who are absolutely tearing it up in their respective fields.

Do Short Guys Have An Easy Way Out?... 

Hopefully, the success of so many compact movers and shakers can provide a boost of confidence to short men everywhere. I've said it once and I'll say it again, but being proud of who you are is one of the surest ways to begin fighting a prejudice and to become both happy and successful overall in life. Just ask the BBWs! So next time you're out hitting the bars, or even in the office lunch room shooting the breeze, consider striking up a convo with that cutie, no matter how tall (or big) she is. Chances are, she won't mind how short (or petite) you are.

Like This Article? Chat About It And More In Our Forum For Short Men!

I liked Myron's ability to get the women on his show understand how a man thinks, but as the show went on and on, his emotional tirades showed that he was far less "alpha" than he portrays himself to be.