WalterSobchak
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- Feb 28, 2010
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I'm starting this thread because I'm wondering what brands and particular items of clothing the larger members have found that work well for them, so that those of us in my situation know where to find things that we wouldn't otherwise be able to. I'm 6'4", 280 lbs, 49-50" chest, 42-43" waist, 19" neck, 37" sleeves, size 14D (USA) shoes.
Concerning suits, I've only owned one suit, which fits me very poorly, and I intend to get another one custom made as soon as I can afford to, which unfortunately might be a while. I don't think there's a RTW suit jacket on this planet that will fit me acceptably well even after alterations after having tried on many different brands, at least among those that produce a 48L or 50L.
For pants, the biggest problem aside from the clothing not being made in my waist size is that my thighs are fairly muscular and that anything with an appropriately sized waist restricts my movement a great deal in the legs. I usually wear chinos on a day to day basis when the weather isn't too hot, and found that Dickies flat front double knee fits well. My waist is somewhere between 42" and 43", so I buy 42" and they fit perfectly after a couple washes. If I want something a bit more upscale, Tommy Bahama pants fit well with my build. As for actual dress pants, I've never owned a pair aside from suit pants (which fit me well enough to wear after alterations), but I'd imagine if I wanted a decent pair I'd get them custom made. The only jeans that fit me are urban brands, though I'll probably need to read through the SW&D forum for other ideas. Swim trunks have proven to be the most difficult things to find, since almost every pair I've tried is way too restrictive in the legs when I need the most freedom of movement. Again, Tommy Bahama works, but in this case only if I stick with their big and tall line. The pair I have has a 47" waist, luckily this works with a drawstring.
As for shirts, I have no problems most days as I normally wear a T-shirt, but if I want to dress up, I run into trouble. Nordstrom's house brand, John W. Nordstrom, makes dress shirts in 19/37, in very nice fabric for $100, but the selection is pretty boring, usually only offering basic white and blue straight collars in this size. In addition to that, the fit is very loose, so I'd only wear one under a suit. If I wanted something else, such as a black shirt with a spread collar in a more trim fit, I'd most likely need to find myself a shirtmaker, preferably one that would allow me order single shirts since my funds are limited. Sport shirts are even more problematic. Even though a 2XL T-shirt is usually loose and comfortable, most 2XL button down shirts are not and barely allow me to move my arms, and 3XL is difficult to find. Custom shirts would not help here, since I like to wear attention-grabbing shirts with wilder designs (think Etro, etc.), which may run counter to the tastes of most here, but that's usually what I look for. I know that some of the major designers do MTM but the price is probably exorbitant.
Ties are a big problem as well, since it's difficult to find most of them over 62" long, with 65" being ideal, and when I do, it's not likely that I find them at a good price. Shoes aren't too difficult to find in a 14D if I'm patient, but socks are. I've been wearing gold toe socks, but I'd rather be able to wear decent wool or cotton socks if I could find them in a larger size.
So, if any other larger members have similar problems with finding clothing, I and undoubtedly many others would like to hear what has worked well for you so far.
Concerning suits, I've only owned one suit, which fits me very poorly, and I intend to get another one custom made as soon as I can afford to, which unfortunately might be a while. I don't think there's a RTW suit jacket on this planet that will fit me acceptably well even after alterations after having tried on many different brands, at least among those that produce a 48L or 50L.
For pants, the biggest problem aside from the clothing not being made in my waist size is that my thighs are fairly muscular and that anything with an appropriately sized waist restricts my movement a great deal in the legs. I usually wear chinos on a day to day basis when the weather isn't too hot, and found that Dickies flat front double knee fits well. My waist is somewhere between 42" and 43", so I buy 42" and they fit perfectly after a couple washes. If I want something a bit more upscale, Tommy Bahama pants fit well with my build. As for actual dress pants, I've never owned a pair aside from suit pants (which fit me well enough to wear after alterations), but I'd imagine if I wanted a decent pair I'd get them custom made. The only jeans that fit me are urban brands, though I'll probably need to read through the SW&D forum for other ideas. Swim trunks have proven to be the most difficult things to find, since almost every pair I've tried is way too restrictive in the legs when I need the most freedom of movement. Again, Tommy Bahama works, but in this case only if I stick with their big and tall line. The pair I have has a 47" waist, luckily this works with a drawstring.
As for shirts, I have no problems most days as I normally wear a T-shirt, but if I want to dress up, I run into trouble. Nordstrom's house brand, John W. Nordstrom, makes dress shirts in 19/37, in very nice fabric for $100, but the selection is pretty boring, usually only offering basic white and blue straight collars in this size. In addition to that, the fit is very loose, so I'd only wear one under a suit. If I wanted something else, such as a black shirt with a spread collar in a more trim fit, I'd most likely need to find myself a shirtmaker, preferably one that would allow me order single shirts since my funds are limited. Sport shirts are even more problematic. Even though a 2XL T-shirt is usually loose and comfortable, most 2XL button down shirts are not and barely allow me to move my arms, and 3XL is difficult to find. Custom shirts would not help here, since I like to wear attention-grabbing shirts with wilder designs (think Etro, etc.), which may run counter to the tastes of most here, but that's usually what I look for. I know that some of the major designers do MTM but the price is probably exorbitant.
Ties are a big problem as well, since it's difficult to find most of them over 62" long, with 65" being ideal, and when I do, it's not likely that I find them at a good price. Shoes aren't too difficult to find in a 14D if I'm patient, but socks are. I've been wearing gold toe socks, but I'd rather be able to wear decent wool or cotton socks if I could find them in a larger size.
So, if any other larger members have similar problems with finding clothing, I and undoubtedly many others would like to hear what has worked well for you so far.