From: Bob Stern, Pres: Short Sizes Inc. OUR FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS - We d like to share with you our recent Press Release naming the 10 Best Dressed Shorter To: Men in America. We do this periodically to emphasize that shorter men can dress for success and be as successful as they choose. Let us know your thoughts! Subject: 10 Best Dressed Shorter Men in America 2003 Announcing the "10 Best Dressed Shorter Men in America" Contents 10 BEST DRESSED LIST BACKGROUND BACKGROUND: A Short History Bob Stern, at 5-foot-2 inches, started Short Sizes as a store in 1972 because he had trouble buying clothes for himself. "I recognized that I was not the only short person who has this problem. I knew there had to be a market out there." An accountant and lawyer by training, Stern gave up a job with the Internal Revenue Service to open his business because, he said, "The world had enough good lawyers, what it needed was a good clothing store for shorter men." "In the 70s, I was working for the IRS by day, going to law school by night and shopping for clothes with a bunch of 14 year olds in the boys department when the idea came to me," he said. "I took a good look at the growing success of stores offering big and tall men's fashions and decided that the same thing could---and should---happen for shorter men." According to Stern's research Dear Fashion & Lifestyle Editors, Enclosed is our "10 Best Dressed Shorter Men in America" list for 2003. We do this to emphasize that shorter men can dress for success and be successful, even if it sometimes takes more perseverance, creativity or effort. Please feel free to call me at: 216-287-2515 or 440-605-1001. Bob Stern P.S. Our web site is: www.shortsizes.com MOORE & ASSOCIATES Release date: IMMEDIATE 3017 Morley Rd. Cleveland, Ohio 44122 Phone: (216) 215-2192 E-mail: tam3017@aol.com PHILBIN, STEPHANOPLOLOUS HEAD NEW LIST OF TEN BEST-DRESSED SHORTER MEN Cleveland Two TV personalities long-time veteran Regis Philbin and relative newcomer George Stephanopolous--head the new list of "Ten Best- Dressed Shorter Men" in 2003. Bob Stern of Short Sizes Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio has
According to Stern's research, about 20 percent of the male population is under 5-feet-8- inches tall. "That is a lot of potential customers." Stern said that he got into the mail order business because he had received thousands of catalog requests and that direct marketing had come of age. He felt that it was time to reach out and get in touch with the shorter men in America who did not have access to his store. "We supply merchandise that is otherwise not available," said Stern. "Most clothing retailers don't carry size ranges such as short, extra short and portly short from sizes 34 to 50. We even have dress and sport shirts in 29, 30 and 31-inch sleeve lengths. It is just not a viable alternative for shorter men to buy clothes in the boys' department or to buy clothing that has to be downsized because the basic proportions will be distorted. Having clothes custommade is often a costly and disappointing option." According to Stern, men want to buy clothing that will not go out of style in a few years. "They look at clothes as a long-term investment, which means they want clothes that will wear well and stay in style." "Since I started the store in 1972, we have developed into the nation's most extensive and complete store/catalog/internet business catering exclusively to the shorter man," said Stern. "Our mail order business exceeded our store several years ago." For more information, please call us at 440-605-1001 or 216-287- 2515. named this year's "Ten Best-Dressed Shorter Men In America." Stern is one of the country's most successful retailers and Internet catalog sellers of clothing for shorter men for over 30 years. Stern is well-known to national audiences for his insight and tips for men with shorter frames. This year's list is his eighth. In addition to Stephanoplous and Philbin, Stern's list include Giorgio Armani, Tom Cruise, politico Robert Reich, Martin Sheen, football quarterback Doug Flutie, basketballer Earl Boykins and comic Robin Williams. Stephanopolous, erstwhile senior adviser to President Bill Clinton and now a political analyst for ABC News, "knows politics better than anyone in D.C., and dresses as well as anyone on television," says Stern, a dapper dresser himself. 5-8 TV morning show personality Philbin is next on Stern's list. "Finally, Regis has stopped wearing those solid shirts with matching ties and doing the "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" quiz show. Ironically, now he does look like a million bucks - to me, if not to Kelly Ripa." Another politico who overcomes any disadvantage his short stature might seem to pose is Robert Reich, who at 4-10 ½, certainly can't begin to buy off the rack in the men's section. Reich, whose recent book belies a sense of humor about his height (it's entitled "I'll be Short"), favors a conservative look that is aimed at simply leaving an overall impression of power and style. Back to those with fashion flair - a repeater from previous lists is 5-7 designer Giorgio Armani. "Armani personifies fashion forward," says Stern admiringly. If I had a Lifetime Achievement Award, he would get it." The highest-ranking movie star on the list is also a repeat selection, Tom Cruise. His signature is a monochromatic (usually black) look in a shirt, pants, and a jacket, sometimes. Another movie and TV star, 5-7 Martin Sheen, seems an obvious choice. "Sheen has played the role of president FOUR different times. Needless to say, he knows how to look Presidential. Power suits for a power look." The world of sports offers three members to the list. Figure skating legend-turned color commentator Scott Hamilton, having beaten cancer, looks terrific at 44. The still-trim, athletic build helps, but Hamilton is careful to wear clothes that fit well. The other two athletes are ageless quarterback Doug Flutie and young 5-foot-5 NBA basketball player Earl
Boykins. "No quarterback controversy with Flutie," says Stern. "He continues his winning ways with a casual chic off the field. Of Boykins, who just signed a $13 MM contract with Dallas Mavericks, Stern notes "Now he can buy the same suits as LeBron - he ought to get two for the price of one for James" (who is 6-8, 240, and by some accounts, still growing). 5-7 Robin Williams "often acts like he's from another planet - and brought his clothes with him. But somehow, it usually works." Honorable Mention goes to the Geico Gecko, the 1-foot- 1 insurance spokes-reptile. "Best 'pitchcreature' since Spuds McKenzie," laughs Stern. "Rumor has it he has landed a new gig as 'Crocodile Hunter,' Steve Irwin's personal valet". ADVICE FOR THE SHORTER MAN What do these men have in common? Stern says it's mostly attention to detail. "A shorter man - defined as under 5-8 for clothing purposes - can wear just about anything, as long as he's careful to make sure it's wellproportioned and properly fit. However, we don't think the extremes of fashion are where the shorter guy ought to be." So now there's no need to shop in a boys' department or wear cut-down clothing. Today there are half a dozen stores in the U.S. that specialize in apparel scaled to shorter men with little or no tailoring - including everything from suits, sportcoats, blazers, dress and sport shirts, sportswear, activewear, outerwear, shoes, etc." Of all the shorter men's retailers, Stern's is the only one with a thriving mail order business. "We've made it easy - we've put our entire store in a catalog and on the Internet. For a free copy of Stern's catalog, call 1-800- SHORT SIZES (1-800-746-7874) or write Short Sizes Inc., 6051 Mayfield Road, Cleveland OH 44124. Or view the options on www.shortsizes.com. When asked if anyone belonged on a "Worst Dressed List", Stern answered, "I'm not into making fun of people. I used to think that Jason Alexander (5-7) deserved to be admonished for his too-tight outfits on Seinfeld - now I find out that they purposely had him wear one size too small to make him look uncool!" For more information or high resolution images, don't hesitate to contact one of us. The complete list follows below. ###
BOB STERN, CLOTHIER TO THE SHORTER MAN, NAMES HIS TOP 10 BEST-DRESSED SHORTER MEN FOR 2003 PHILBIN, STEPHANOPLOLOUS HEAD LIST The "Debonair in D.C." look GEORGE STEPHANOPOLOUS 5-8 Television Political Talk Show Host "He knows politics better than anyone in D.C., and dresses as well as anyone on television." The "Post-'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'?" look REGIS PHILBIN 5-8 TV Morning Show Personality and Former Quiz Show Host "Having stopped wearing solid shirts with matching ties - and doing the quiz show - Regis looks like a million bucks again just ask Kelly Ripa?" The "Stellar Signal Caller" look DOUG FLUTIE 5-9 NFL Quarterback "No Quarterback Controversy here. Flutie is a winner off the field, too, with his casual chic. More importantly, we admire his activism on behalf of autism." The "Emperor Has Great Clothes" look GIORGIO ARMANI 5-6 Legendary Fashion Designer "Armani still rules in 'Fashionland...He personifies fashion forward." The "Mission: Irresistible" look TOM CRUISE 5-7 Motion Picture Mega-Star "His signature all-black look still commands big bucks and attracts taller women." The "Dressed for Political Success" look ROBERT REICH 4-10 1/2 former Secretary of Labor, author and political candidate "Smart and smartly-dressed, Reich commands respect. His conservative 'power suits' are the right choice."
The "Take Me To Your Leader" look ROBIN WILLIAMS 5-8 Television and Motion Picture Star "This comic genius is from another planet, and apparently brought his clothes with him, but he always seems to pull it off." The "No Term Limits" Look MARTIN SHEEN 5-7 TV and Movie Star "Sheen has played the role of president FOUR different times. Needless to say, he knows how to look Presidential." The "Ice Man Cometh" look SCOTT HAMILTON 5-6 Former Figure Skating Champ, Now Color Man "Having notched triumphs on the ice and over cancer, Hamilton continues his winning ways with style and grace on camera." The "Who Needs Air Jordans?" Look EARL BOYKINS 5-foot-5 NBA basketball star with a new 5-year contract "Boy oh' Boykins has this little guy hit the jackpot...now he can buy suits like LeBron...and he can get two of them!" Honorable Mention THE GEICO GECKO Best 1-foot-1 insurance pitch-creature since Spuds McKenzie "Rumor has it he has landed a new gig as 'Crocodile Hunter,' Steve Irwin's personal valet." http://www.shortsizes.com