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The Lanky Man's Redemption

CarllraC

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As a tall and lanky man (6'4" 165lbs) living in the USA and in possession of a budding consciousness of fashion, I've been positivel terrorized by the clothing of the mainstream. I've probably spent thousands of dollars on jeans that were too baggy and dress shirts with sleeves too short and bellies capable of storing much beer. It's like a disease, the allure of the clothes on the rack - everyone else buys them, can't I - and the constant cycle of pride and frustration as what I buy in the heat of the moment looks criminal in full length mirror in the privacy of my closet.

No more! On Saturday, my girlfriend in tow, we set out for Nordstrom. I gave the woman a kiss and told her to NOT let me leave without buying slacks and a shirt, and I told her, if my strength should waver, to repeat the refrain "you can always return it, it's NORDSTROM". It was to be a painful day for the lass, not getting to try on anything, having to live vicariously through my shopping, but even she came to appreciate it in the end when a pair of Rock & Republic jeans drew from her a "your ass has NEVER looked that good!" (PURCHASED).

I opted for a $175 pair of Nordstrom grey slacks (not pleated, of course). The hemming was done within the hour, and they are quite slim fitting, unlike the pants from my $300 Men's Wearhouse suit that look like they should be from an MC Hammer video.

I also ordered a $195 MTM Nordstrom shirt. I challenged the salesperson that their "trim" fit would still be baggy around my waist, but he and the lady convinced me otherwise (you can always return it, it's Nordstrom). It arrives in 6 weeks.

The cost of my shopping trip was extreme, but the pleasure of having clothes that fit is highly satisfying. I am resigned to the fact that I cannot buy shirts off the rack, and that my clothing will just be more expensive than others' due to my awesomely tall and slim stature.

Success!
 

GQgeek

Stylish Dinosaur
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It's worth it. I'm not as tall and lanky as you are, but I was never able to find stuff that fit properly either. I get all my shirts bespoke and my pants MTM. There is no going back. Just make sure you're properly insured.
laugh.gif
 

unpainted huffheinz

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The Nordstrom 'Trim' shirts are 'trim' by Nordstrom standards, but then again they give Brooks and J Press a good run for the lard ass fit award. The waist and sleeves can be trimmed although the armholes will still be fairly low. I am curious if the MTM shirts will have the non-iron treatment or not. The RTW shirt I got recently that did not have the 'Smart Care' tag on it still has that treatment.
 

rjmaiorano

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May 1, 2007
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Originally Posted by unpainted huffheinz
The Nordstrom 'Trim' shirts are 'trim' by Nordstrom standards, but then again they give Brooks and J Press a good run for the lard ass fit award. The waist and sleeves can be trimmed although the armholes will still be fairly low. I am curious if the MTM shirts will have the non-iron treatment or not. The RTW shirt I got recently that did not have the 'Smart Care' tag on it still has that treatment.

Anything that says 'trim' 'slim' or whatever in a Nordstrom mens dept. will not be slim by most standards. The dimensions around the waist will be slightly smaller and some of the 'billowiness' in the back will disappear.

The MTM shirt he ordered won't have any smartcare treatment and will likely be an egyptian cotton. On the shirt you bought that didn't have the smart care tag, it must have fallen off.
 

Albert60

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May 15, 2007
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I'm 6'4" 172lbs and I find the Nordstrom MTM Trim slim: high armholes, slim through the body and narrow sleeves. Unfortunately, I didn't like the collar(spread), it was too short and low, which doesn't scale well with my long slender neck and largish brain err head. The points on the rest of their collar styles were not much, if any, longer as far as I can remember. The MTM shirts are a good deal, most fabrics are $145/shirt and many swatches are $99/shirt during Anniversary and half-yearly sales.

Some Designers/Brands that often work for me are: Prada, D&G, RLBlackL(though not so much lately), Hugo Boss slim fit, Hugo (Red label), Transit, Versace trend fit, & Theory. Denim: Kasil, 7s, R&R. For easy to acquire and inexpensive pieces I recommend trying Banana Republic Medium Tall. BR is the only retailer that I've come across that sells Medium Talls.
 

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