[zblaesi]

Another question about polos. I find that when I get a size that fits me in the chest/stomach, the shoulders often sort of slide and then the collar looks way too wide. This is sort of hard to describe, but I'm under the impression that the plackets of polo shirts are supposed to sort of line up with each other when fitted properly; in my case, the plackets separate and open wide such that the collar doesn't look right. Is there a solution to this problem?

 

[zblaesi]

Another question: For button-downs, what Lands End and Brooks Brothers "fit" would work best for the overweight man?

 

[ZachGranstrom]

Another question: For button-downs, what Lands End fit would work best for the overweight man?

The traditional regular fit button-down shirt. (regular fits well on me, but if you like room, then go for the big traditional fit button-down shirts.)

 

[zblaesi]

The traditional regular fit button-down shirt. (regular fits well on me, but if you like room, then go for the big traditional fit button-down shirts.)

I revised my post after you responded, apparently. What about for Brooks Brothers?

Thanks.

 

[ZachGranstrom]

I revised my post after you responded, apparently. What about for Brooks Brothers?

Thanks.

Traditional fit shirts. (very roomy for big guys, which is nice)

 

[Mad Hatter]

Another question about polos. I find that when I get a size that fits me in the chest/stomach, the shoulders often sort of slide and then the collar looks way too wide. This is sort of hard to describe, but I'm under the impression that the plackets of polo shirts are supposed to sort of line up with each other when fitted properly; in my case, the plackets separate and open wide such that the collar doesn't look right. Is there a solution to this problem?

More important they line up when buttoned. It doesn't look bad to have a "V" neck opening unbuttoned, but it looks like one is wearing too small a shirt if the placket gaps when buttoned.

 

[zblaesi]

More important they line up when buttoned. It doesn't look bad to have a "V" neck opening unbuttoned, but it looks like one is wearing too small a shirt if the placket gaps when buttoned.

It doesn't look like a V so much as a... I don't know. Hard to explain. Doesn't look right, though.

 

[zblaesi]

I need some help with sizing for Brooks Brothers button-downs.

My neck-size seems to be about 17 and 1/2 inches (with a thumbs pace between the tape measure). I'm having trouble getting a precise measurement on my sleeve lengths, but I believe it's about 34 inches. Having said this, since I'm overweight, should I go up to an 18 inch neck size with 34 inches in sleeves. This could counter shrinkage issues as well. Or should I just get a 17 and 1/2 inch?

Thanks.

EDIT

The sale was about to end, so I just went with the 18 neck size. If it doesn't fit, I'll just refund it for the right size.

 

[zblaesi]

Just some info about my progress. From when I first started exercising (somewhat inconsistently), I've lost about 25-30 pounds (which isn't that big of a deal... yet). Nonetheless, with stress over school work and other stuff going on in my life, I fell off track a few times, so I probably could have lost much more had I remained consistent. But summer started for me about a week ago, and I've started my routine back up again; I plan to stick with it consistently for the next three months and lose another 20 or so pounds. Going at this rate, hopefully I'll lose most if not all of the weight by the time I transfer to university. At that point, I can completely revise my wardrobe and start worrying more about fit and whatnot.

By the way, guys, after following these forums for about half a year to a year now, I've begun to accumulate both a temporary and long-term wardrobe (and accessories). Some of the clothing items I've bought fit somewhat tight, so they'll only look better as I lose weight. On the other hand, some of the items will last me a great while, like shoes, my wrist-watch, and other accessories.

Unfortunately, I'm unhappy with two or three of my shirts because I took them to a ****** tailor who did not give me the option to move the plackets when shortening the sleeves - I didn't know any better. To solve this problem in the future, I plan to buy my shirts from BB according to neck size/sleeve length.

Moreover, some of the items probably aren't very high quality (e.g. St. John's Bay and Arizona); my goal was to save money in these areas so I don't waste my money on clothing that doesn't last as I lose weight.

I plan to post pictures later, but here's a list of my current wardrobe (more or less), with links where I could find them:

Jackets

• Anderson-Little blazer (navy)
• Lands End sports coat (brown wool, thrifted for $3; not sure about the quality)
• St. John's Bay "golf jacket" (for rainy weather)

Dress Shirts

• JCrew glacier stripe point collar
• JCrew point collar "haberdashery" (white with blue/burgundy pin stripes, got on sale for about $15 at an outlet store; not sure about the quality)
• JCrew pinpoint oxford (white)
• BB pinpoint oxford (blue - pending shipment)
• BB oxford (burgundy stripes - pending shipment)

Sports shirts

• Saint John Bay spread collar poplin (blue with white stripes; color not pictured on the link)
• JCrew secret wash lightweight point-collar poplin (faded black)

Sweaters

• JCrew cotton-cashmere v-neck sweater (ocean blue)
• JCrew outlet sweater vest (argyle - green, khaki, etc.)
• BB outlet sweater vest (navy)

Polos/shirts

• JCrew pique polo (navy)
• JCrew pique polo (dark wood)
• Walmart George polo cotton (navy - I bought this only because it fit well)
• Walmart Henley shirt (cream)

T-Shirts

• JCrew v-neck (faded black)
• JCrew v-neck (light grey)
• Arizona v-neck (brown)
• JCpenny crew neck (black with grey around the rims)
• JCpenny crew neck (dark grey with black around the rims)
• JCpenny crew neck (navy with grey around the rims)

Pants

• Arizona dark stonewash jeans (x 2)
• Arizona medium stonewash jeans (x 2)
• Levi dark jeans (x 1)
• Pleated St. John's bay tan khakis (x 1)
• Unpleated St. John's Bay tan khakis (x 2)

Shoes

• Sperry Top-sider Mako 2-eye canoe (amaretto)
• SAS Penny loafer (burgundy)
• AE McClain (chili - pending shipment)

Accessories/ties

• Seiko Spirit SCVS013
• Patterned pocket square (teal with hints of burgundy).
• JCrew tie (narrow, thick blue stripes over white)
• Zegna tie (gold with hints of burgundy and blue/black, diamond pattern, bought from ebay for $10)

Here are the items I plan to buy - either within the near future (potentially as birthday presents) or later on for the fall/winter:

• Lands End OCBDs (when they go on sale)
• BB dress shirts (for the Father's Day sale)
• PF Flyer albin
• Kent Wang pocket squares
• Peacoat (not sure which brand; something inexpensive until I lose more weight)
• Red Wing boots (probably the Gentleman's Traveler)

Any advice you guys have to give on the basis of this post?

Thanks for all the help over the last year - in this thread or in other threads.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Whether it's finances, age/peer group, novice to better dressing or goal of weight loss, I think you're wise focusing on more casual clothes as you've been doing.

Short-term, I think you could use a pair of gray wool trousers-it's a color you lack in trousers and would step the blazer up a notch over the chinos. And I think a tie with a red field to go with the aforementioned-something like one of the BB repps.

Mid-term; some broadcloth dress shirts in the four basic solid colors of light blue, white, pink and ecru. A few more ties. Some black shoes.

Longer-term, I'd guess your situation will have stabilized in a few ways, so start looking at suits!

 

[zblaesi]

Whether it's finances, age/peer group, novice to better dressing or goal of weight loss, I think you're wise focusing on more casual clothes as you've been doing.

I suppose it's all of the above. I'm a college student taking classes at a community college. I take most of my classes online, so I don't get out that much in the first place; plus, most people at my college dress like crap anyway. I'll be transferring to a university within two semesters (potentially in an area where people dress much nicer - e.g. I'm considering NYU), and I'll have about another 2-3 three years to complete my major. In other words, it's not like I have much use for a full suit; when needed, a dress shirt, tie, blazer, and khakis seem to do just fine.

I was also a total novice. When I was a teenager, I skateboarded, so I always dressed like a "skater:" logo t-shirts, jeans, skate shoes, etc. In fact, I had worn the same pair of skate shoes for about a year - they were comfortable - before I got my boat shoes. So simply wearing sports shirts and khakis is a big step forward.

Money isn't a huge factor, but I don't want to spend loads of cash if I'm going to need new clothing when I lose weight. However, for most of my life, I wasn't very picky about clothing, and I would make due with very few items of clothing. I'm still financially dependent upon my parents as I am a student, so my parents have been helping me build my wardrobe. They don't really mind since I needed new clothing really bad.

Short-term, I think you could use a pair of gray wool trousers-it's a color you lack in trousers and would step the blazer up a notch over the chinos.

That's a good idea, but the problem is fit. I find it really hard to find pants that fit me well, besides jeans. For instance, the St. John's Bay pants seem to fit me well in the waste, but the pant legs look pretty bad - I recently noticed this. I would have no idea which brands to try for gray wool trousers.

And I think a tie with a red field to go with the aforementioned-something like one of the BB repps.

Could you give an example?

Mid-term; some broadcloth dress shirts in the four basic solid colors of light blue, white, pink and ecru. A few more ties. Some black shoes.

Can you explain the broadcloth? This will be something to keep a look out for when BB has another sale. I plan to buy one or two more OCBDs, but it'd be nice to get some shirts with patterns - since most of my shirts are solids or simple pinstriped.

Longer-term, I'd guess your situation will have stabilized in a few ways, so start looking at suits!

I probably won't need a suit or black shoes for a long, long time. I plan to dual major in philosophy and mathematics for my B.A., and long-term, get a PhD in philosophy. Philosophers - my friend described them as "awkward - that's why they're philosophers" - tend to dress sort of relaxed, so I don't perceive the frequent need of a suit.

 

[zblaesi]

By the way, to see what I mean about pants fit, here is a picture of my khakis, the St. John's Bay sports shirt, and my blazer. (Fyi, unless it's just sitting on me weird, I recently noticed that the aforementioned junk tailor didn't take my blazer's one sleeve up far enough to reveal my shirt cuff.) Notice how the pants look sort of weird in the lower legs and by the feet. Maybe they need to be hemmed or simply cuffed, but they seem too baggy or something (i.e. too wide in the lower leg).

By comparison, here is a picture of me wearing jeans. (Excuse the weird picture angle.) In my opinion, they look much better than khakis (they make me look less "round" or pair shaped) , but I can't confine myself to just jeans.

Oh, one more thing. You other "big" guys should post pictures of your clothing so I could see how other non-skinny people pull off nice clothing and fits. Potentially, the thread could include WAYT posts for those who have big body types or who are in the process of losing weight. I'd never dare post pictures of myself on, say, styleforum. The ridicule would be immense! Haha.

 

[Mad Hatter]

https://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCa...29316&Parent_Id=210&default_color=Red-white&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=

Any of the numbered BB repps would fill the bill, but the BB#1 is probably the best-known. Broadcloth; quickest/easiest way to explain is it's smooth in surface..most dress shirts are broadcloth. I suggested broadcloth since you just got a pinpoint and an oxford shirt (textured).

 

[zblaesi]

Any of the numbered BB repps would fill the bill, but the BB#1 is probably the best-known. Broadcloth; quickest/easiest way to explain is it's smooth in surface..most dress shirts are broadcloth. I suggested broadcloth since you just got a pinpoint and an oxford shirt (textured).

Thanks.

Any ideas about trousers?

 

[Mad Hatter]

JAB, maybe? I say that because:

1) Decent value.

2) Ongoing sales, and some occasional screaming deals in their website clearance section.

3) They stock some big/tall goods.

4) A pretty good exchange policy.

Actually, you *might* have good luck finding something there, since the smaller sizes seem to sell-out fastest in the clearance section.

 

[zblaesi]

Another quick question about fit, in relation to my earlier question about ordering from BB.

I thought it'd be safe to order my sizes in 18-34 for the BB sale the other day, but I went into a BB outlet store today to try some stuff on, and I think I might need a 17&1/2-33 or even a 17-33. Based on what I tried on in the store (line "1818"), 34 sleeves are definitely too long, though not by much. Furthermore, a size 18 neck seemed way too roomy in the chest. 17 seemed to fit be just right, but I might want to grab 17&1/2 in case the shirts shrink. Of course, a tighter fit might not be a bad thing in the long run if losing weight does affect how shirts fit. On the other hand, at least for now, I think I'd rather get the BB shirts so they fit me right now.

My order didn't ship, so maybe if I give BB a call, they could switch the sizes for me. Given the previous info, would you go with a size 17 neck or 17&1/2?

 

[ZachGranstrom]

^^^^
Yup, just call them and I'm sure they will help you out. (they provide great customer service)

stick to 17 1/2.

 

[zblaesi]

Thanks Zach. I called and they switched my order. The one shirt is on back order, but oh well; I didn't know what to switch it to. Hopefully it fits. If it does, I'll know what to get for the upcoming sale.

By the way, here's another minor quibble. I notice that to get khakis to fit me in the waste/rear without clinging to my body, the legs (down by my ankles) seem really wide and baggy. It just doesn't look good. Here's a picture for an example. It looks really sloppy. (Compare how these jeans seem to fit me much better and don't look as sloppy.) I don't know how to fix this without tailoring - which I can't afford in the case of pants. These pants are St. John's Bay, which seem to fit me best in the waste/rear, but I don't know what else to try. Dockers and Haggar didn't work that well.

 

[ZachGranstrom]

^^^
Maybe you should try Eddie Bauer,Land's End, or LL bean. (unfortunately, you're going to have to try several different style or brands of pants until you find the one perfect for you)

 

[zblaesi]

^^^
Maybe you should try Eddie Bauer,Land's End, or LL bean. (unfortunately, you're going to have to try several different style or brands of pants until you find the one perfect for you)

Sears didn't have any LE in my size. The difficulty is many of these brands aren't carried in local stores, so I can't try them on.