They Need To Make "Athletic Fit" Shirts

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by OttoSkadelig

you could make the same argument about slim-fit. you have anorexic-slim.... fit-slim... hipster skinny-fat... yet people make slim-fit shirts that obviously are not going to fit every subspecies of slim.
Well, I haven't heard any tailors weigh in on this, but typically when I hear tailors talk about muscular guys the first words out of their mouth are "hard to fit" which isn't really an issue with most skinny people. I guess depending on what muscles you work and how hard you work them you can get a much wider variation in builds. Skinny shirts are all kind of graded, that is based on the neck size and chest size they will extrapolate an average of other dimensions like how broad shouldered someone would be, how big their arms would be, etc. It gets more complicated if you have someone who spends several hours a day working a group of muscles with the specific intention of getting bigger. I'm not saying it can't be done or it shouldn't be done. I'm just saying, if I was going to start a clothing company, I'd be hesitant to do this for fear that I'd have slow sales and be deluged with returns because of fit issues. The reason most dress shirts you find in stores fit like tents is because they're designed to fit the largest % of the population as possible. When I say fit, I mean not be too tight, because alot of people don't care about it being too loose. It may not always look pretty, but it makes dollar and sense. Athletic cut shirts are the opposite end of the spectrum. Every now and again you see athletic cut suits pop up on ebay, but they don't seem to do particularly well if that's any barometer.

 

[OttoSkadelig]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

Well, I haven't heard any tailors weigh in on this, but typically when I hear tailors talk about muscular guys the first words out of their mouth are "hard to fit" which isn't really an issue with most skinny people. I guess depending on what muscles you work and how hard you work them you can get a much wider variation in builds.

Skinny shirts are all kind of graded, that is based on the neck size and chest size they will extrapolate an average of other dimensions like how broad shouldered someone would be, how big their arms would be, etc. It gets more complicated if you have someone who spends several hours a day working a group of muscles with the specific intention of getting bigger.

it's easy. increase the taper / add darts, expand the armhole, increase sleeve width and that's 90% of the problem taken care of. most people who work out won't have absurd proportions and will tend to follow the same template. the extrapolation you talk about would work here as well -- just change the ratios.

 

[apropos]

Here the the solution to your problem: http://www.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=34608 I assure you they specialise in adequate drops.

 

[Made in California]

Originally Posted by apropos

Here the the solution to your problem:

http://www.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=34608

I assure you they specialise in adequate drops.

Looks like they put the buttons on the wrong side of those shirts. What's with that.

I really doubt anyone on SF could button those without EXCEPTIONAL hand-eye coordination or A LOT of practice. Otherwise it would have been a nice alternative.

 

[Nicola]

It's a women's top. Sad we've gotten to the point that people think men should have smaller drops then women.

A 12 inch drop women would be something like 36 inch chest and a 24 inch chest. How many natural women do you know with those measurements?

For a man with a 40 inch chest a 12 inch drop is 28 inch waist. Hardly challenging.

 

[Looch]

Originally Posted by apropos

Here the the solution to your problem:

http://www.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=34608

I assure you they specialise in adequate drops.

I'm getting the "flutter sleeve top". The absence of sleeves will really show off my delts- the guys in the office are going to be so jealous!

 

[GucciMonster]

Originally Posted by Reevolving

Not everyone is obese. This is also the most heath-conscious and fit nation in the world. Polarities.
.


Was this supposed to be sarcastic?

 

[S. Paul]

Originally Posted by Nicola

It's a women's top. Sad we've gotten to the point that people think men should have smaller drops then women.

A 12 inch drop women would be something like 36 inch chest and a 24 inch waist. How many natural women do you know with those measurements?

For a man with a 40 inch chest a 12 inch drop is 28 inch waist. Hardly challenging.

FTFY. I wouldn't say a 12 inch drop is "hardly challenging" but it's not all that unusual, whereas the women's case (as you stated, natural) is probably more so.

If you want to include the "enhanced" population of women, particularly here in South Fl, then it's pretty common.

SP

 

[ls1dreams]

I'm actually on the opposite side of the spectrum.

I'm on the smaller side and the problem with almost all slim-fit shirts for me is that if I buy my collar size (15.5&quot, the shoulders, chest, and waist are all too large.

What shirts tend to run the most narrow throughout?

So far Brooks Brothers extra-slim fit is the best match I've found, but i'm hoping I can find a more affordable solution.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by OttoSkadelig

it's easy. increase the taper / add darts, expand the armhole, increase sleeve width and that's 90% of the problem taken care of. most people who work out won't have absurd proportions and will tend to follow the same template. the extrapolation you talk about would work here as well -- just change the ratios.

so is it really just a matter of it's never occurred to any designer/shirtmaker that this is a huge untapped market?

 

[OttoSkadelig]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

so is it really just a matter of it's never occurred to any designer/shirtmaker that this is a huge untapped market?

who knows. remember that "clothes that fit" was an untapped market in north america for two decades

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by OttoSkadelig

who knows. remember that "clothes that fit" was an untapped market in north america for two decades

so... how do you explain the italians?

 

[jhva3]

Originally Posted by Jay687

Ultimately, slim fit shirts are still for people who are not necessarily in shape. They normally have little to no drop from chest to waist, still leading to the too much fabric (although to a lesser extent than regular shirts).

I would imagine, despite there being a lot of overweight/unfit people out there, the need being there. There are those who stay active and fit. They need more than "slim" fit... yet no companies really bother producing anything for them.

Why?

I would think that if big companies introduced "athletic fit" in their dress/sports shirts, that it could be a hit.

Anyone think it'll ever happen? Will most companies one day have some sort of athletic fit sizing?

How athletic are you talking? I'm like a 42/32 and I find most regular slim fit shirts fit fine.

 

[OttoSkadelig]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

so... how do you explain the italians?

 

[Nicola]

Don't confuse what the Italian companies sell in North America with what they make for the home market.