Nice clothes that really fit

masraum · 10-29-2014, 10:38 PM

So, I'm going to a wedding in a few weeks, and the missus insisted that I get some nice clothes. (well, it's my wedding, so I didn't resist). We've been together almost 20 years (couple weeks) and are common law married, but decided to have the ceremony.

Anyway, so I went to Nordstrom and had a stylist help me out with a new suit. I ended up spending nearly as much as she did on her dress, but I did get an extra suit jacket and will be going back for some pants to go with it.

I have a suit that I bought 15 years ago at a Men's Warehouse. I've also got a blazer that I got several years ago. Both fit like crap. I never find shirts that really fit. I'm 6'2" and was 210#, but now I'm down to about 182#. At either weight, most shirts are roomy enough for 1.5 of me in the torso. Both of the jackets fit the same. I tried on one Hugo Boss suit coat that fit perfectly except to take just a little length out of the sleeves. I then bought a full Hugo Boss suit that required a massaging in the torso as well as some length in the sleeves. Wow, I look darn good in that stuff, much better when it fits. The dress shirt that he brought is a Zegna, some Italian brand, and that thing fit REALLY well right off the hangar. It's amazing how much more comfortable you feel in clothes that fit and how much better you look in clothes that fit. It's just a shame that I can't afford to buy this stuff all the time, but I'd have to have another couple of jobs to afford that.

livi · 10-29-2014, 11:47 PM

I know exactly what you mean when it comes to clothing.

Now for the important part; we want pics!

tabs · 05:22 AM

Well why don't you take a look at a Brioni suit...

I recently bought 9 Broni Sport Shirts....and 12 pairs of Zanella wool Italian slacks in just about every colour they have. Then for some decent shoes I bought a coupla pairs of Testoni's, a pair of Alligator Mauri's, and a pair of black suede Zegna slip ons, For some casual sneakers a pair of black leather Christian Louboutin's will do. For some Denim, I think RMC's are interesting along with the Zegna's and Armani's for a more conservative look.

For shytes and giggles I like the Florsheim Imperial 5 nail American made Long Wingtips. There I have either the Imperial or just the Shoe in Pebble Grain Black, Brown, Cognac and Oxblood. I also like American and Italian Cole Haan and Johnson Murphy's along with the bread and butter Allen Edmonds.

What I want to get in the future are a pair of John Lob Crocodile oxfords, a pair of JM Westons and maybe a pair of Zanetti's or Tom Fords?

VaSteve · 10-30-2014, 04:08 AM

I have lost a.little weight and now I'm very conscious of how the off the rack dress shirts fit. I now try and buy the fit or athletic versions.

Congrats on the wedding.

jwasbury · 10-30-2014, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

It's amazing how much more comfortable you feel in clothes that fit and how much better you look in clothes that fit.

^Absolutely. A lot of clothing is built to accommodate the widest possible swath of the population, which means if you're not as "wide" as the average joe you're going to swim in them (or look like a little kid who borrowed stuff from dad's closet). I'm 5'8" and weigh in at the low 140lb range. Even a "slim fit" shirt from Brooks Brothers has enough room in one sleeve for both of my arms (maybe enough room for one of my legs). They look ridiculous on me.

Ready to wear stuff from the higher end designers often fits perfectly. Its more expensive, but it's worth it. This stuff will typically (though not always) be of higher quality material and construction, so it will last longer and that helps offset the additional up front cost.

M.D. Holloway · 10-30-2014, 05:38 AM

I know what you mean about certain makers and fit. Say what you will but I find the clothes from Brooks Brothers to fit me the best. The pants, blazers and jackets are offered in odd numbered sizes. This makes tailoring easier IMO. The fabric always seems of high quality. I have several sports coats and the navy blazer that wears like iron and always looks great. I have several pants and they fit awesome. I also bought a piece of luggage that normally I would not have done so but I got on sale. Amazing look, great material. I have never gotten a compliment on my luggage until I got that. And yes, its nice to have recognition of nice stuff.

billybek · billybek's Garage

I have the same problem with shirts.

When I was still working on the tools, I went to a good clothing store and was the guy took my neck and sleeve measurements and said "Oh, your one of those..."
I am pretty sure it wasn't a compliment so I left without buying anything.

As mentioned different brands fit better. I seem to fit clothes from an English designer, Ben Sherman.

epbrown · 10-30-2014, 07:05 AM

Shirts tend to be made with room for someone with a 40+ inch waist, and the slim fits aren't much better. My best fit was when I went custom - Land's End had a service where you sent your measurements and they made a shirt for you for ~$50. They were some pretty nice shirts that garnered a lot of compliments but LE dropped their custom service.

masraum · 10-30-2014, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

Well why don't you take a look at a Brioni suit...

I recently bought 9 Broni Sport Shirts....and 12 pairs of Zanella wool Italian slacks in just about every colour they have. Then for some decent shoes I bought a coupla pairs of Testoni's, a pair of Alligator Mauri's, and a pair of black suede Zegna slip ons, For some casual sneakers a pair of black leather Christian Louboutin's will do. For some Denim, I think RMC's are interesting along with the Zegna's and Armani's for a more conservative look.

For shytes and giggles I like the Florsheim Imperial 5 nail American made Long Wingtips. There I have either the Imperial or just the Shoe in Pebble Grain Black, Brown, Cognac and Oxblood. I also like American and Italian Cole Haan and Johnson Murphy's along with the bread and butter Allen Edmonds.

What I want to get in the future are a pair of John Lob Crocodile oxfords, a pair of JM Westons and maybe a pair of Zanetti's or Tom Fords?

That's a lot of shoes.

Zegna Drop 8 is the shirt that I got that fits well.

masraum · 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livi

I know exactly what you mean when it comes to clothing.

Now for the important part; we want pics!

I've got a crappy cell phone pic from when I was trying things on so they've still got the security dongles attached, but that's it so far. Also, the coat hasn't been altered in this pic yet, but the guy had come by and pinned the back and the sleeves are turned under.

masraum · 10-30-2014, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaSteve

I have lost a.little weight and now I'm very conscious of how the off the rack dress shirts fit. I now try and buy the fit or athletic versions.

Congrats on the wedding.

Yeah, off the rack stuff fits me horribly 99% of the time. I guess the stuff that fits is $200 a shirt. Sheesh!

Rusty914s · 10-30-2014, 07:20 AM

Nice cut but the jacket is too long.

masraum · 10-30-2014, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epbrown

Shirts tend to be made with room for someone with a 40+ inch waist, and the slim fits aren't much better. My best fit was when I went custom - Land's End had a service where you sent your measurements and they made a shirt for you for ~$50. They were some pretty nice shirts that garnered a lot of compliments but LE dropped their custom service.

I've read that there are a few places online that'll do that, but I have no idea of the cost.

id10t · 10-30-2014, 07:38 AM

A quick google for

bespoke clothing houston texas

Returned some potential results, once you get past the results from yelp.com

Wilywilly · 10-30-2014, 07:59 AM

Hey Tabs.........you should be posting on the first world problems thread

VincentVega · 10-30-2014, 08:18 AM

Made to measure shirts dont have to be expensive, online or in person.

Check out slim fit shirts if you havent already, much better.

For suits, buy a nice fabric and style you like that fits close and take it to a local tailor. ~$100 will make a decent suit look and feel perfect.

vash · vash's Garage

Congrats!

tabs · 10:43 PM

So far the correspondents on this Thread have not expressed a complete understanding of either high fashion nor good what good clothing is.

I have several Zegna Sport Coats, a pair of shoes along with a large number of their ties. However Broni is sine qua non as far as Italian clothing is concerned.

However there is nothing left to be desired with Savile Row tailoring including the Turnbill and Asser Royal warrant for shirts and John Lob for shoes.

I have become a member of the Imelda Marco's Shoe Fetish Association where a shrine in the home to good quality shoes is to be established, and venerated at one or more times every day. Where the smell of shoe polish fills the nostrils in orgsamic exhaltation. Dolce Gabbana upon you.

BRPORSCHE · 10-30-2014, 09:18 AM

Steve,

Check out suitsupply in upper Kirby. Thr name sounds weird... But just trust me. Love my suit, and very affordable. I feel like a million bucks when I wear it.

vash · vash's Garage

huh..thanks for showing us your clothing resume tabs. i hate name droppers..especially with clothing. chicks do it.

and BRporsche. you DO look like a million bucks!!