The negative effects of ill-fitting clothing are amplified when the wearer falls outside the parameters of what's considered average. In other words, the kind of person for whom most off-the-rack dress shirts are made.
As with their tall counterparts, short men can influence the perception of others around them by choosing stylistic elements that work in their favour. Above all, it’s important to have a more tailored fit, which will prevent the shirt from having excess, bulky fabric that could infantilize you. Slim naturally draws the eye upward, creating a subtle but not unimportant impression. Even if the effect registers on an unconscious level, take it.
A slim fit dress shirt also raises the armhole to be tighter with your body, which helps elongate the torso. Conversely, when fabric hangs below your armpit it creates a squatter, more compact appearance in the body.
You can also use vertical stripes to your advantage, an illusion that interior decorators have been using forever to create the impression of more space. Again, stripes draw the eye upward and help stretch out what’s there. The effect might not be as dramatic as transforming a bungalow into a cavernous manor with soaring ceilings, but every little bit counts.