Dress clothes for shorter man

[vla17]

I've never had any luck finding dress clothes that fit me properly. I'm 5'6 and 150 lbs, with a smaller sized torso but cursed with a thicker lower body - 31-32" waist and quite large calves. I've been gifted countless Hilfiger button downs that technically match my measurements, but are horribly baggy and unwearable. Other brands aren't quite as bad, but still leave me looking awash in fabric. Pants, especially, seem just about impossible to shop for - if they fit my waist, the legs are usually so baggy that you can't tell there are calves inside.

Anyway, I'm a classical musician attending conservatory, so I find myself needing to wear a tux or suit with some regularity. I'm pretty tired of feeling self-conscious about the fit of my clothes, but I can't really afford custom-made clothing. I'm wondering if anyone out there has similar measurements (or just some expertise) and knows a few good brands that I could start with and that won't cost me an arm and a leg. Of course, I expect to need some minor alterations, but first I need clothes that are at least kind of within my ball park.

TIA!

 

[Maljunulo]

Off the peg clothes are manufactured to fit as many folks as possible.

They will "fit" (more or less) people with "average" proportions.

You fall outside the middle of the curve, and should probably start saving up for MTM.

 

[maxalex]

Off the peg clothes are manufactured to fit as many folks as possible.

They will "fit" (more or less) people with "average" proportions.

You fall outside the middle of the curve, and should probably start saving up for MTM.

Agreed. Save your money for a classic MTM or (better yet) bespoke suit. You will feel so much better about yourself, and a good suit will last decades if cared for (and assuming you don't balloon).

 

[ran23]

the good Doctor told me I lost height to 5-7 1/4" . 159 lbs, with a 33-34 waist. I lucked out with a local consignment store, a few lawyers turned in wardrobes and one was my size.