Seeking OTR / RTW suits for men with big chests

[pocketprotector]

I have a very large chest and ribcage. If I stand straight up at attention, my sternum sticks out farther than the tip of my nose, and my modest pectoral muscles even farther. My shoulders aren't exactly dainty, either. I wear a 44L suit jacket but size 33 slacks. My tailor thinks I may have to get custom-made suits because he can't make a regular OTR suit hang perfectly. This naturally scares me, as that would mean the end of ebay and clearance deals. Do any suitmakers have a fit that would work for me? I recently found that Nordstrom makes a shirt in an "Athletic fit" which seems to work very well for me, and I thought I might be able to find an OTR/RTW suit with similar construction. EDIT: The shape is like this, minus the crappy posture and the hump in the back

 

[pebblegrain]

damn son you are so buff!

if your suit is too small, get a bigger size!

word!

 

[michael_legeek]

Can you clarify what the problem is? Is it only the drop between jacket size and trouser size? Or are there other discrepancies -- for example shoulders that suit, say, a size 40 or 42 jacket, while your chest demands a 44?

 

[Nicola]

Originally Posted by pocketprotector

I have a very large chest and ribcage. If I stand straight up at attention, my sternum sticks out farther than the tip of my nose, and my modest pectoral muscles even farther. .
Which sounds like either your head is held too far back or your chest is strange. 44 isn't big.

 

[pocketprotector]

Originally Posted by michael_legeek

Can you clarify what the problem is? Is it only the drop between jacket size and trouser size? Or are there other discrepancies -- for example shoulders that suit, say, a size 40 or 42 jacket, while your chest demands a 44?

Taking in the jacket to fit my waist causes large creases (more like waves than like wrinkles) in the lower back. I don't have a photo but might be able to get one by the weekend. From the front I look great. That's actually quite a consolation, but I still don't want to be the guy who looks sloppy because of his ill-fitting suit.

Part of the problem is that I favor the Italian suit with its trim waist and V shape (Isaia is my favorite). I wonder if I need to embrace the sack. Bleh.

 

[pocketprotector]

Originally Posted by Nicola

Which sounds either your head is held too far back or your chest is strange.

44 isn't big.

Okay this made me laugh. If I had time, I'd take a picture. For now, suffice it to say that my sternum (this has nothing to do with muscularity) sticks out 3 inches farther than the base of my throat where my windpipe meets my clavicles. Does that help?

And I didn't mean to say that I was huge, merely that my proportions are very top-heavy. So I go with your second alternative: my chest is strange.