If you don't want to read a thread for us portly gentlemen, then go ahead back to the main forum screen and read the multiple theads about "fitted shirts", and "skinny jeans".
Otherwise, here goes...
You should know this about me. I am a portly guy and have been since I stopped playing football after college. I have always worked out, and still do, strenuously, I might add. I consider what I eat before I eat it, and do take steps to eat a healthy diet, although I will also inhale a big red juicy steak now and again. I am just big. I have a big frame, with braod shoulders, big chest, big butt and big thighs, and I always have. Now that I am about to hit the age of 50, I am the owner of a big gut too. That part has been growing for the past 20 years. I am comfortable with who I am, and while I do continue to take steps to keep things under control, I am resigned to the fact that I will be a fat guy for the remainder of my life.
No problem...It's a fact.
So with a 56'' chest, and a 50'' waist, I turned to the "big guy's stores" decades ago and have had suits, shirts, sport coats, and dress slacks, made to measure for years. I have used quite a few MTM brands over the years including Joe Banks, Palm Beach, HS&M, Tallia, and Jack Victor, to name a few. Currently I find myself using Tom James quite a bit, which I like (in spite of the rather rough treatment TJ gets on many threads in this forum). Admittedly, I had to find the right "consultant" from TJ to get things right, and I do buy from their high end lines (Ventura, Sartoria, and H&S Bespoke), and, yes, there is a price premium for the at home or in the office service, but I am a busy guy, and I do appreciate them coming to me, and their service is second to none.
All that said, the purpose of this thread is to get a discussion going among those of us that are horizontally challenged, about what we wear, how we wear it, what issues of fit and style are particular to us, and what are good sources of clothes and accessories for us well-rounded fellows. Also what common info. is out there that is just plain wrong. Things like fat guys should not cuff their pants, or wear hats, are just silly notions. I do both, and both add to my look in a very positive way. I even occasionally tie a bowtie around my 20" neck, and it sits proudly under my double chin in a very Churchillian way.
Clearly I am a clothes hound. I love fine cloth and classic styles, but it is also nice to be able to purchase more casual clothes and accessories off the rack. So here are some questions and thoughts:
Casual Cotton Trousers: I like Savane with pleats and cuffs. What other suggestions are there?
Jeans: Levi 501's relaxed fit. Have not found a good brand of dressier jeans that fit; any ideas?
Sport Shirts: Joe Banks has some, as do Paul Frederick, and RL/Polo, but I have not found a really good selection, so I usually have these made by TJ.
Knit Shirts: RL/Polo has lots of solid colors in 3XB, but watch the horizontal stripes and bright colors, fellas. I also like Axis, Cutter& Buck.
Belts: Trafalger, I have also had a few special made by AE to match my AE shoes. I ordered the AE belts through TJ, though, and probably paid a big mark up. Has anyone found a way to order custom (Big) sized belts directly from AE on line? Any other suggestion for belts?
Long Ties: Extra long ties from PF, also Trafalger, JB and some made to order from TJ (ouch expensive). Any other ideas?
Wide Shoes: Mainly AE, some from J&M.
Casual Coats: Claiborne
Over Coats: Made to measure from Cardinal of Canada.
Scarves: Anybody found a source of extra long cashmere scarves?
PJ's and Robes: Rochester Clothing's (on-line) own brand.
Underwear: Big selection at Rochester Clothing (on line).
Beachwear: RL/Polo, Tommy Bahama.
Best On-line stores for Big Guys: Dann On-line, Rochestor Clothing, Westport, PF (shirts), JB (shirts).
Best brick and mortor Big Guys store: Austins (Timonium, MD and Fairfax, VA)
Calling all big guy clothiers...Please respond with web addresses, addresses and information.
Big guys: please share particular clothing problems/ issues/ questions.
Thanks fellas...be big, be bold, be confident!!!
Otherwise, here goes...
You should know this about me. I am a portly guy and have been since I stopped playing football after college. I have always worked out, and still do, strenuously, I might add. I consider what I eat before I eat it, and do take steps to eat a healthy diet, although I will also inhale a big red juicy steak now and again. I am just big. I have a big frame, with braod shoulders, big chest, big butt and big thighs, and I always have. Now that I am about to hit the age of 50, I am the owner of a big gut too. That part has been growing for the past 20 years. I am comfortable with who I am, and while I do continue to take steps to keep things under control, I am resigned to the fact that I will be a fat guy for the remainder of my life.
No problem...It's a fact.
So with a 56'' chest, and a 50'' waist, I turned to the "big guy's stores" decades ago and have had suits, shirts, sport coats, and dress slacks, made to measure for years. I have used quite a few MTM brands over the years including Joe Banks, Palm Beach, HS&M, Tallia, and Jack Victor, to name a few. Currently I find myself using Tom James quite a bit, which I like (in spite of the rather rough treatment TJ gets on many threads in this forum). Admittedly, I had to find the right "consultant" from TJ to get things right, and I do buy from their high end lines (Ventura, Sartoria, and H&S Bespoke), and, yes, there is a price premium for the at home or in the office service, but I am a busy guy, and I do appreciate them coming to me, and their service is second to none.
All that said, the purpose of this thread is to get a discussion going among those of us that are horizontally challenged, about what we wear, how we wear it, what issues of fit and style are particular to us, and what are good sources of clothes and accessories for us well-rounded fellows. Also what common info. is out there that is just plain wrong. Things like fat guys should not cuff their pants, or wear hats, are just silly notions. I do both, and both add to my look in a very positive way. I even occasionally tie a bowtie around my 20" neck, and it sits proudly under my double chin in a very Churchillian way.
Clearly I am a clothes hound. I love fine cloth and classic styles, but it is also nice to be able to purchase more casual clothes and accessories off the rack. So here are some questions and thoughts:
Casual Cotton Trousers: I like Savane with pleats and cuffs. What other suggestions are there?
Jeans: Levi 501's relaxed fit. Have not found a good brand of dressier jeans that fit; any ideas?
Sport Shirts: Joe Banks has some, as do Paul Frederick, and RL/Polo, but I have not found a really good selection, so I usually have these made by TJ.
Knit Shirts: RL/Polo has lots of solid colors in 3XB, but watch the horizontal stripes and bright colors, fellas. I also like Axis, Cutter& Buck.
Belts: Trafalger, I have also had a few special made by AE to match my AE shoes. I ordered the AE belts through TJ, though, and probably paid a big mark up. Has anyone found a way to order custom (Big) sized belts directly from AE on line? Any other suggestion for belts?
Long Ties: Extra long ties from PF, also Trafalger, JB and some made to order from TJ (ouch expensive). Any other ideas?
Wide Shoes: Mainly AE, some from J&M.
Casual Coats: Claiborne
Over Coats: Made to measure from Cardinal of Canada.
Scarves: Anybody found a source of extra long cashmere scarves?
PJ's and Robes: Rochester Clothing's (on-line) own brand.
Underwear: Big selection at Rochester Clothing (on line).
Beachwear: RL/Polo, Tommy Bahama.
Best On-line stores for Big Guys: Dann On-line, Rochestor Clothing, Westport, PF (shirts), JB (shirts).
Best brick and mortor Big Guys store: Austins (Timonium, MD and Fairfax, VA)
Calling all big guy clothiers...Please respond with web addresses, addresses and information.
Big guys: please share particular clothing problems/ issues/ questions.
Thanks fellas...be big, be bold, be confident!!!