I don't look good in a suit.

[phxguy]

Help! I thought it'd get better with a better tailor and nicer suits, but so far I haven't made much progress. (Bear in mind, "better" with respect to the tailor doesn't mean "good.")

Here's the deal: I have skinny legs (knock kneed at that), a narrow waist that moves quickly into a bit of a belly, not much of a chest, pretty broad shoulders, long arms and an oblong shaped head. (6'2 230 / 42 or 44L ) Inevitably, structured coat shoulders make my head look even thinner (sort of a la Phil Jackson) and my torso even bigger relative to my waist and legs. And I"ve had trouble getting suit trousers that "grip" comfortably at the right part of my waist...they inevitably slide down or get creases for being cinched up too tight. And for as awkward looking as I've made myself sound, I don't have a hard time finding slacks and a dress shirt that -- without a coat -- look decent. It's frustrating to look worse as I dress up.

What should I be looking for to de-emphasize these body dynamics? Do shoulders in dress suits come in are varying degrees of "structured"? Is my shirt collar an important factor? And is there is some particular reason I have a hard time find suit trousers that sit comfortably on the waist?

Incidentally, I generally get a 44L and get the pants and coat taken in. Could my main problem be that I need to start with a 43L, particularly given my challenge with finding a good tailor (in Phoenix)?

Comments are much appreciated!

 

[Superfluous]

I didn't read your entire post, but if you don't like how you look in a suit regardless of fit, you will generally have to work on changing your body. As for tailoring changes, it's hard to judge from a description.

 

[lee_44106]

Losing weight is an under-emphasized method of looking good in clothes.

 

[Gorpomon]

Post some pictures to get valuable feedback, blur out your face if you want to remain anonymous. Also have you taken use of the thread where three esteemed tailors help you get the best fit out of your suit?

-Ron

 

[Superfluous]

This probably isn't an option, but I watched a large man get fitted by Despos in his shop and it made him look pretty good... but it costs good money to look that good at that size

 

[phxguy]



Post some pictures to get valuable feedback, blur out your face if you want to remain anonymous. Also have you taken use of the thread where three esteemed tailors help you get the best fit out of your suit?

-Ron

No...what thread?

Will post pics in a couple suits.

Thx all.

 

[blahman]

This seriously need pictures, because right now I am seeing someone like one of those malnourished children, but scaled up to 6'2". You know skinny everything but bloating in the belly due to the malnourishment.

Other than that I don't see how it can be difficult as you don't sound obese.

Also what part of your body are you referring to as your waist, as it sounds more like your hip than waist from your description?

 

[bringusingoodale]

Wait, you are 6'2, 230 and you say you have broad shoulders.

According to some, you should be the perfect frame to look good in tailored clothes.

Post pictures or face your body issue problems.

 

[Nicola]

How can you be 6+ feet tall with broad shoulders and be able to squeeze into a 42?

 

[phoenixrecon]



How can you be 6+ feet tall with broad shoulders and be able to squeeze into a 42?

the same way that i do.

 

[Nicola]



the same way that i do.

You're over six feet with broad shoulders and squeeze into a 42? Measurements please

 

[Risk_Reward]

great point, I'm 6'0" and I wear a 43 (19.5 inch shoulder measurements) and I would not call my shoulders broad.

 

[MyOtherLife]

Welcome to Styleforum.
Awaiting photos....

 

[GBR]

The silly season of first posts is well and truly here.

Photographs will enable assistance - a hard-to-read description does not.

Have you tried bespoke or MTM? From what little I could work out, that might assist. You also ask "Is my shirt collar an important factor?" it is important that it fits for a start - the type of collar might be relevant to the shape of your head, but as that is an unknown....

 

[dorolf07]

pictures of you wearing the suit will be helpful..if you're new to wearing suits try on a few brands and see how they fit, maybe you'll get lucky.