Suit sizing dillemma

[Shoe City Thinker]

For the longest while (three years), I've worn a 44/39 suit. I have a fantastic medium gray JNY 3-button suit that I wear to interviews (the "close the deal" suit). However the occupational hazard of systems administration is long hours parked in an office chair and eating junk food. I've gained significant weight over the past year and a half. I'm now wearing a 41 waist pant. My 44 Regular suit coat still fits me well in the shoulders but needs a bit let out in the waist to accommodate my gut. I want to buy a blue suit (or blue pinstripe) to round out my wardrobe (I don't wear suits to work but I consult on the side). The stores I've been to (Jos A Bank, Macy's, etc) try to fit me into a 46R/40 suit. It's roomier and a bit more comfortable but I kinda look like a leftover from an 80's New Wave festival. The jacket looks like someone dropped a black sack around my torso. No shape. It makes me look heavier than I am. Also the fit in the shoulders is a bit too wide. Not really flattering. However with some tailoring, it may be able to work. Going with a 46R/40 suit assures me that I have a better selection of jacket styles, colors, and fabrics.

I did try going with a 44 Portly sized suit. That was waay too big for me. I went down to a 42 Portly and it looked decent on me. However I have noticed that the fabrics and quality of portly-sized suits are a bit lacking (if shopping at a off-price outet). A sea of cheap suits that made me look like either a bouncer at a dive bar or a door-to-door evangelist. Jos. A. Bank does have portly sizes but I have to pay a $50 premium.

The other thing is to buy another 44R/38W suit and have it altered to fit my current body. I'm on a weight loss program and I anticipate being able to fit into the other suits in my wardrobe. I just need something to go on interviews and client meetings that fits, is flattering, and projects a quality, stylish image. Any ideas how I can solve this sizing problem?

 

[king_pen]

Originally Posted by Shoe City Thinker

For the longest while (three years), I've worn a 44/39 suit. I have a fantastic medium gray JNY 3-button suit that I wear to interviews (the "close the deal" suit). However the occupational hazard of systems administration is long hours parked in an office chair and eating junk food. I've gained significant weight over the past year and a half. I'm now wearing a 41 waist pant. My 44 Regular suit coat still fits me well in the shoulders but needs a bit let out in the waist to accommodate my gut. I want to buy a blue suit (or blue pinstripe) to round out my wardrobe (I don't wear suits to work but I consult on the side). The stores I've been to (Jos A Bank, Macy's, etc) try to fit me into a 46R/40 suit. It's roomier and a bit more comfortable but I kinda look like a leftover from an 80's New Wave festival. The jacket looks like someone dropped a black sack around my torso. No shape. It makes me look heavier than I am. Also the fit in the shoulders is a bit too wide. Not really flattering. However with some tailoring, it may be able to work. Going with a 46R/40 suit assures me that I have a better selection of jacket styles, colors, and fabrics.

I did try going with a 44 Portly sized suit. That was waay too big for me. I went down to a 42 Portly and it looked decent on me. However I have noticed that the fabrics and quality of portly-sized suits are a bit lacking (if shopping at a off-price outet). A sea of cheap suits that made me look like either a bouncer at a dive bar or a door-to-door evangelist. Jos. A. Bank does have portly sizes but I have to pay a $50 premium.

The other thing is to buy another 44R/38W suit and have it altered to fit my current body. I'm on a weight loss program and I anticipate being able to fit into the other suits in my wardrobe. I just need something to go on interviews and client meetings that fits, is flattering, and projects a quality, stylish image. Any ideas how I can solve this sizing problem?

you need to buy clothes for your current weight, not the "i'm gonna lose 15 pounds" suit. it sounds like you really do need a 46R, but you need to find one that has a narrower point to point in the shoulders. or try a 44 that is a little more generous through the middle. as far as the trousers you have from jny right now, they should actually be a 39.5 so you might be able to get them let out enough for you.

 

[j]

If you're not interested in going to MTM, maybe you should try suit separates like Brooks Bros. has. It sounds like your main problem is not getting the right pants to come with a jacket that fits. For the interim, that could be the easiest way to get by.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

Also, a 2-button jacket would be more flattering than the 3-button kind.

 

[Shoe City Thinker]

A bit of an update:

I remember now that I bought a JAB 2B 46R suit from a thrift store seven years ago but kept it in the event that I regained the weight and needed a larger sized suit. I tried it on today. Looking at it, it has been tailored so that it fits closer in the waist. Looks respectable. Shoulders fit well. Doesn't look like I'm swimming in the jacket. I'd wear this JAB suit but the moths have gotten to it.

While in this "transitional" state from my current weight back down to a healthier size, I'm considering buying a 46R from eBay and having the jacket tailored to fit my waist better.