Image via Complex Original
Not everyone flourishing in Hollywood has typical movie star features. For every 6'3" leading man that's making your lady swoon one blockbuster and rom-com at a time, there are the unsung swag lords who came up and managed to make their mark in this superficial game. We're talking about the vertically-inclined, the dudes who were probably last to get picked during basketball in gym class.
Well, screw P.E. because ever since the fame and fortune kicked in they've been killing it. Salute the homies that clock in under average height (read: under 5'9") but are still stunting on the competition. Read on for The Most Stylish Short Guy Celebs Right Now.
Prince
Height: 5'2"
The only dude who can take your girl while rocking a blouse himself, and he isn't even tall at that. Prince is always down for velvet, wild prints, nehru collars, and yes purple, i.e. all the things that 99 percent of the male population would look absolutely crazy in. It's that truly one-of-a-kind steez that cemented The Artist as a timeless style icon long ago, and he's still going strong.
Daniel Radcliffe
Height: 5'5"
If there's one way Daniel Radcliffe will get away from Harry Potter's shadow, it'll be through his style. (Or appearing in nude plays.) HP's international reach meant appearing in endless cities and countries for red carpet premieres, and towards the end of the franchise's run as he got older is when Radcliffe began to display his fashion sense. That many formal events would make anyone strive to make their suit game interesting, and Daniel rose to the occasion with atypical but successful choices like bright blazers or full-on maroon suits. Obviously, none of his moves since have been on a similar scope, but his reputation for bringing it on the carpet now precedes his arrival.
Woody Allen
Height: 5'5"
Woody's been flourishing in the same consistent uniform of khakis, oxfords, with sweaters/tweed blazers for basically his whole career. Dude's had the same frames since like '77. It's quite similar to Larry David's uniform, which implies there's a correlation between social awkwardness, neuroses and tweed. Whatever the case, whether being fashionable is his intention or not, Woody is fresh, and has been for the last five decades.
Kendrick Lamar
Height: 5'6"
In the last year and a half as Kendrick shot to the top of the rap game, his personal style ascended along with his career. Sometimes he tries too hard—that Best Rap Album Grammy probably had his name on it until the board saw what he wore to the carpet—but when he's in his comfort zone he's contributing to hip-hop's ongoing mission to push the needle further.
It's not always white tees and Nike Cortez's like he claimed in "Control." More often than not, he opts for high-fashion button-ups or streetwear tees that have a decidedly Compton/L.A. aesthetic. The west is back.
Elijah Wood
Height: 5'6"
Elijah Wood is on that straight-up hipster wave. His jeans are always cuffed over a pair of wingtips or tennis shoes, and he's quick to sport a tie (with no blazer) even if the occasion doesn't call for one. His look is consistent, with a blend of yuppie prep what with his sweater-Oxford combos. Sometimes, though, he'll switch it up by stepping out in something that fits his fresh code or a Rodarte (Frodarte?) hoodie.
Aaron Paul
Height: 5'8"
The man formerly known as Jesse Pinkman spent a lot of time on your TV screen in his character's two-steps-behind steez (how late was Pinkman on ditching baggy jeans and tall tees?) but in real life AP's style is the opposite of herb. His suit game when it's trophy time is far from basic. And when he's on a casual stroll with wifey his whole fit is usually on-point and on-trend but his outerwear game—military trenches and leathers—is especially fire.
Elton John
Height: 5'8"
The rock legend will still stand out in a satellite view of any given street he's walking down but the best part is, he's actually toned down his steez in recent years. At the height of his career, he looked like a fly carnival performer and dressed like everyday was Halloween, in the best way possible. Fans at his live shows were treated to especially out-there looks. Who else do you know, living or dead, that can pull off a duck costume?!
Big Sean
Height: 5'8"
The G.O.O.D. Music rapper is always susceptible to jokes about how his stage name ironically doesn't match his frame. Between coming in at just under 5'9" and his skinny build, "Medium Sean," as Charlamagne the God puts it, would be more accurate. Still, he doesn't earn his place on Kanye's team off of just his lyrical ability.
Sean Don is arguably the second flyest member on the squad next to their fearless leader, mostly through a mix of (mostly black) high-fashion and streetwear, and equally dope outerwear consisting of leathers and bombers. It's Kanye's code but with Sean's flair makes it his own, which is probably why he's trying to channel that into his own clothing line, Aura Gold.
Kanye West
Height: 5'8"
Believe it or not, Sean's big homie isn't average height either. The ego of Yeezus forms a neat visual trick where it can be hard to notice that he isn't actually as imposing as his proclamations and screeds would make you think. In the case of his style, what's really left to explain? Just read this.
Ryan Seacrest
Height: 5'8"
It's easy to dismiss celebrities as just relying on stylists rather than implementing their own sense of style, especially when it comes to formal wear. It would be a mistake though, to write Ryan Seacrest off and not give him props on his standout menswear game. It's rare to see Seacrest dressed down, since at least 12 out of his 17 different jobs require him to be suited up. But he smoothly switches gears with a suit for every occasion, whether it's stunting in a toned down but still sharp two-piece during American Idol or taking no prisoners with an unfuckwittable blazer flourish for his big looks during award shows like the Grammys.