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Outgrowing clothes

Ambulance Chaser

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After over one year of working out 4-5 times a week, I have gone up in jacket size from 38 to 40.  Normally this would be cause for great rejoicing, but I have also outgrown a suit that I recently purchased.  The jacket cannot be altered because there is not enough material.  Fortunately, I didn't pay that much for the suit both because I rarely get the opportunity to wear one (my office is business casual 5 days a week) and I thought that I might outgrow it soon.  I am now in the market for some suits and sportscoats so I can bring a more upscale look to the office, but I am afraid of outgrowing those as well.  Should I hold off on buying anything really nice or take the chance that my build will not fluctuate too much?  FYI, I am currently between 170 and 175 pounds (depending on the time of day) and I don't see myself adding more than 5 to 10 pounds of muscle.  Although it will only be a rough estimate, I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has an athletic build between 175 and 185 pounds -- what size jacket do you wear?
 

GatorStyle

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Ambulance, I fall in that weight range you describe (between 172 and 178, depending upon the workout pattern of the moment) and I wear a 42 jacket.  If you progress as you have been, you're likely to wind up at that size (maybe a 44, at most; or a 46 if you decide to incorporate 'roids into your routine).  As an aside, they speak of athletic physiques in terms of suit sizes as characterized by the "drop" between shoulder and waist sizes.  A good rule of thumb is that a 10 inch drop (or more) represents  an inverted-"v" shape (broad shoulders, narrow waist).  My "drop" is generally between 10-12 inches.

In terms of buying new clothes with an eye for your future physique, you can only approximate based upon what you know of your current sizes (are you barely squeezing into a 40, or is that already tight?) and where you expect to be (and how diligent and dedicated you are to achieving that).  When in doubt, I always buy sizes (for any item of clothing) that err on the side of more fit/athletic - in other words, I leave myself no margin for error or laziness with eating and working out.  It gives me extra motivation not to cheat.  If I did cheat, then I'd "punish" myself by not fitting well into the clothing I just bought.  Works like a charm.  The moral of the story is, don't be afraid to purchase in-between/not-quite sizes that contemplate what you will soon look like- just be sure that your goals are reasonable and attainable.
 

Ambulance Chaser

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GatorStyle,

Thanks for the advice.  My drop is nine inches (40 jacket, 31 pant).  I have been told that Hugo Boss suits are particularly good for athletic builds because they run large.  Do you wear a size 40 Boss instead of 42?
 

GatorStyle

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Funny you should ask, Ambulance, as I happen to be wearing a Hugo Boss suit today, as I type this.  Without question, I've found Boss suits to be the most flattering on me, and to most effectively accentuate and complement my particular body type.  I still wear a 42 jacket with Boss.

What you may be referring to with Boss is (at least with the Boss suits that I have) a more squared-off, bulked up shoulder.  It took me a while to get used to it, but I absolutely love that look now, particularly when coupled with reasonably slim, flat-front suit trousers that are characteristic on each of my Boss suits.  Truthfully, I've yet to find a suit in that price range that I like more.  Try the outlets if you're interested - my last 2 Boss suits I found at a Hugo outlet, and an Off Saks outlet; one was 450 and the other 400.
 

GQgeek

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I hadn't even considered this when I spent 2k on my first nice suit (which is custom made, so it fits perfectly) a couple months ago and now I just started working out cause frankly I'm too damned skinny. I'm hoping to put on a good 15-20 lbs. and now (since reading this post) you've got me worried about outgrowing clothes
frown.gif
Right now I wear a 38 jacket and 31 pants and am 5'11 135. I have very little experience with suit sizes and imagining how much difference 15lbs is gonna make. This is killing me cause I've spent a fortune on clothes this year (I was in the 5k+ category) building a good wardrobe. I make good money compared to most students but this is still a lot for me and if I outgrow them I'm gonna cry. Can anyone who's done the same sorta thing I'm doing tell me if 15lbs is gonna make me too big for my clothes? I really don't have any idea how much muscle 15-20lbs is... Oh and ambulance chaser, just curious, how much have you gone up in weight since you started over a year ago?
 

Ambulance Chaser

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After spend a couple of years in the South eating food that makes McDonald's look like health food and getting no exercise, I had ballooned up to around 190 pounds. Â I got down to around 180 pounds when I started exercising seriously. Â Intensive cardio work got me down to 153 pounds, which was way too light for me. Â (I am 5'10".) Â So I think the year of weight training plus cardio added around 20 pounds of mostly muscle. Â I wanted to develop a V-shaped body, so I spent most of my time and energy on chest and shoulder exercises -- no lower body exercises at all. To answer your concern, GQgeek, I think you will probably be safe adding another 15-20 pounds, so long as it is evenly distributed around your body. Â I wore a 38 when I was around 155 to 160 pounds (although looking back I have no idea whether that was the correct size). Â Of course, with a custom made suit, the tailor may not have included any excess material to let out. Â In any event, if you notice your clothes getting tight, you can always cut back your workouts. Â Or you can suck it up and decide that being a certain weight and build is worth the money you'll have to shell out to get a new wardrobe. Â I suppose you can always put your old clothes up for sale on E-bay. Â
smile.gif
 

Steve B.

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Hey, guys...

A good tailor can usually work with about 20 lbs either way. Best place for a good tailor is a local alterations only shop, or specialty store. Dept stores- even Sak's, N-M, Nordies et al won't take the same amt of time, or give you the same service. Dry cleaners are OK for hems, nothing more.
 

GQgeek

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Thanks for the replies guys. Good to know my workouts probably won't indirectly cost me thousands of dollars right after I've just spent it heh
smile.gif
 

Joe G

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After over one year of working out 4-5 times a week, I have gone up in jacket size from 38 to 40.  Normally this would be cause for great rejoicing, but I have also outgrown a suit that I recently purchased.  The jacket cannot be altered because there is not enough material.  Fortunately, I didn't pay that much for the suit both because I rarely get the opportunity to wear one (my office is business casual 5 days a week) and I thought that I might outgrow it soon.  I am now in the market for some suits and sportscoats so I can bring a more upscale look to the office, but I am afraid of outgrowing those as well.  Should I hold off on buying anything really nice or take the chance that my build will not fluctuate too much?  FYI, I am currently between 170 and 175 pounds (depending on the time of day) and I don't see myself adding more than 5 to 10 pounds of muscle.  Although it will only be a rough estimate, I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has an athletic build between 175 and 185 pounds -- what size jacket do you wear?
You've already made your biggest jump. When I started working out more seriously, I jumped about one size, from a 52-54 to a 54-56. (Subtract 10 for US sizes. I'm a decent 220-225, but have a moderate tall frame.)

The former is my "summer" size, the latter my "winter" size, to account for extra bulk under the jacket such as jumpers.

So I wouldn't worry too much about outgrowing new purchases.

Peace,

JG
 

JeffsWood

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yes it good to have a few sizes in the closet, I tend to move around about 15lbs from season to season dependingon what I am doing.
 

Happydayz

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That is a good point that Joe G made. You make your biggest gains early. After that it tends to be more slow going. So do not assume a constant rate of growth as you continue to work out.
 

trader

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really... a 7 and a half year old thread....
 

mkarim

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Originally Posted by Ambulance Chaser
After spend a couple of years in the South eating food that makes McDonald's look like health food and getting no exercise, I had ballooned up to around 190 pounds. Â I got down to around 180 pounds when I started exercising seriously. Â Intensive cardio work got me down to 153 pounds, which was way too light for me. Â (I am 5'10".) Â So I think the year of weight training plus cardio added around 20 pounds of mostly muscle. Â I wanted to develop a V-shaped body, so I spent most of my time and energy on chest and shoulder exercises -- no lower body exercises at all.

How did you do the weight training plus cardio bit to gain muscle? I live in the Deep South and also want to gain mass. I am 5' 6", 140 lbs.
 

Nicola

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Originally Posted by mkarim
How did you do the weight training plus cardio bit to gain muscle? I live in the Deep South and also want to gain mass. I am 5' 6", 140 lbs.

What are you asking?

Cardio to improve your cardio. Eat more to gain mass. Depending on age and activity level you might need to eat ALOT if you're doing serious cardio along with serious lifting.
 

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