From the Mailbag: Where can you find modern big and tall suits?
To: joe@dappered.com
Subject: Good looking / Modern Big and Tall Suits?
Joe:
I’ve got a dilemma and I’m hoping you can help out. I’m a bigger guy (6’2″, 250) and not terribly in shape at the moment. Fortunately, I have broad shoulders so I’m not a total fatbody. When shopping for suits, I have to buy separates as I wear a 50 long in the jacket but a 40-42 inch waist pants. I’m looking for suggestions for brands that might have some good options without breaking the bank.
Some caveats: I live in NW Louisiana. Not exactly the fashion capital of the US. We tend to be more traditional in dress. Also, I’m 40. I’m not sure I can really pull off really trendy stuff that I might have been able to 10 years ago. I’m in medical sales, so I call on doctors in their offices. I guess I’m looking for some help in getting a better wardrobe that could be characterized as classic but with fashionable accents.
Any input would be appreciated!
– Trevor M
Shreveport LA
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To: Trevor
Subject: Good looking / Modern Big and Tall Suits?
Hi Trevor:
Gotta be honest, this is tough. I know little to nothing about buying for a guy your size. The odd fact is most guys who are your height with shoulders that big just seem to give up when it comes to dressing in anything other than jeans and camp shirts. So, it’s a huge credit to you for bucking that trend.
(NOTE: Trevor and I exchanged a few emails, and I first suggested one of these Kenneth Cole Suits from Overstock. They come in 50L and the cut is modern in shape while not being too trendy. But as he pointed out, the pants would never fit thanks to his waist and shoulders being a 10inch difference. Drat. Here’s the next suggestion…)
Have you ever heard of Indochino? They’re something of a whiz kid in the men’s affordable fashion world. A lot of guys absolutely swear by them and they’re made to measure at an affordable price. You go to your tailor, the tailor takes your measurements, you plug those measurements into their website and select your suit. Two weeks later it’s at your door. They also offer a $75 re-tailoring credit if it doesn’t fit perfect out of the box.
The suits run around $300 and up, with wool starting at $350. A little pricey, but, could be the best option you have. Better to have one or two tremendous looking suits than 5 or 6 so-so looking ones. I dug into the Indochino website and found a FAQ page where they talk about making suits for guys with a build like yours:
So from the sounds of that, you’d be set. It might not be just your best option, but with gargantuan shoulders like yours, your only option. One tip: Stick with notch lapel suits. Peak lapels will only draw even more attention to your shoulders, and although I’m sure the ladies love them, you don’t want to look totally unbalanced.
Good luck, and let me know how it all works out.
– Joe
(Trevor wrote back and said he’s going to try out Indochino after he gets a bonus that’s coming his way in a few weeks. In the meantime, does anyone else have experience buying for larger bodies? What about experiences with Indochino? Are they as good as advertised? Click here for a more in depth look at indochino)
Indochino has unbelievable customer service. Not only do they have the $75 alteration credit, but they will also remake your suit for free if alterations >$75.00, or alterations are not possible. You do have to pay for your own shipping to send the suit back (they are located in BC, Canada—so this can add up).
One piece of advice i’d give is to have a tailor take your measurements. The website is very user friendly and has a ‘so simple a caveman can do it’ kind of vibe, but i had my girlfriend take my measurements and got a suit back which looks like it was the same one i wore for my barmitzvah. So…i have to send it back for remakes.
Also, there are plenty of indochino coupons on the web: http://www.retailmenot.com/view/indochino.com. They seem to come out with new coupons every couple of months or so.
I’m 6’4 265lb and I have a 40″-42″ waist with broad shoulders too. I’ve found that the Hugo Boss Pasolini/Movie cut 46l suit jacket fits my shoulders perfectly off the rack with out making me look like a sloppy ogre. I of course have to let out the pants and seat at the tailor because of my large butt but The cut is very slimming and modern.
I know Hugo Boss is pretty expensive with questionable construction but they can be had for 200-300 range in stores(not online) on sales racks. Last weekend I went to Macy’s and they had a re-damn-diculous sale. 50% off with an additional 25% off. There’s more! I opened up a Macy’s account and got another 15% off! Still more! For using the card you get an additional 15% off. so I ended up getting 2 600+ Boss Black suits for 188 each.
695 50%off = 347.5
347.5 25%off =260.6
260.6 15%off = 221.5
221.5 15%off = about $188!
Hugo Boss comes in a 50L and have a 7″ drop which puts it at a 43″ waist which you could take to a tailor to take in. You probably missed out on the sale last week at Macy’s but they still have some Boss Black suits 50% off for about 340 bucks. I would recommend going in to try something on.
As a 6’4 guy with a 38 waist and 54 inch chest I love this post. Trying to find everyday clothes is hard enough and I recently went shopping for a suit it was just horrible.
I hope Trevor updates us on his experience with Indochino.
I think he will. We’ve been in contact since.
I run a blog on Indochino suits, so I’ve heard many many reviews (and bought 2 suits so far from them myself). It is a bit of a gamble, but there is no risk involved. In the worst case, you send your suit back for a full refund. Key is certainly the measurements, but I have to say I would be very careful with having a tailor measuring you. From my experience, it is very important to stick to the measurement videos Indochino provides, because every tailor measures a bit differently and perhaps not exactly the way Indochino recommends. I really enjoy the 2 suits I have, curious about how Trevor’s suit will turn out! About coupons, there are currently a lot of great ones, perhaps you might want to include one in the article? I always have an up-to-date box with coupon codes on my blog too. Right now, WOOT can be used for 15% off, 1 free shirt, 1 free accessory 😀
Joe-
I am thinking about getting a suit from indochino but i had a question for you. Are there any other online “bespoke” made to measure sites that you recommend. I have visited a few before and for got to note what they were called. I think one was an advertisment from your blog. Please let me know.
Hmmm. Good question. The only one that I’ve heard of with a lot of publicity is Indochino. I’ve never gone made to measure myself. Guys? Anybody?