Brendan 9/18/08 - YouLookFab Forum

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What I Wore

Brendan 9/18/08

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Everybody!

As some of you know, Brendan (my husband) has been trying to get in on the "dressing better" thing since I came here and started dressing more nicely. He mainly used to wear black logo t-shirts. He is a big guy--wears 2XL on top, and 47/32 pants, which makes it really hard to find nice clothes. He is trying button downs for the first time today, and he wanted me to take a photo and post it here on the forum!

Okay, so we know this outfit isn't perfect. The jeans are completely stretched out and faded. They are starting to fray and tear around the back pockets, but we can't seem to find any nice jeans that come in his size. They all look like tents. We're still looking.

He got this shirt at Old Navy, since they are one of the few places that carries his size. Also, he wasn't so sure about the button up look, and didn't want to spend a lot of money on it until he knew he felt comfortable in it. I think we will try to seek out nicer button down tops for him since he is obviously happy with the result. He is also wearing knit polo shirts now (but thicker pique knit because the thinner knit isn't very flattering on him). I'm trying to convince him on Converse, but he's from England and really wants to wear British shoes, so he is wearing Reeboks in this photo (maybe you guys can convince him better than I can).

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0933-1.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0935-1.jpg

(You can tell the cats love him way more than me).

Do men have such a thing as body type? Other than his tummy and some extra weight he carries on his rear, he's like a rectangle, very straight up and down. Any other suggestions for clothing/outfits for him? He works at a very casual office (video game developer), he could wear pajamas and no one would care.

Thanks everyone!

16 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

oolagirl(Colleen)

Hi Ana

I'm a newbie, but helped my bil pick out some clothes recently who has sort of the same body type. I did a search for "rules" for men, and it was really hard to find!

What I did find though, I will share, hope this helps a little

-V necks
-Vertical Stripes
-Tops that skim the body, anything too big adds girth
-Pants and jeans worn at the waist with a belt, and not
under the belly (had a really hard time convincing him of
this one LOL)
-workshirts! The heavy duty ones really worked well, and are
as versitile as a jacket. He tried them over t-shirts, both long
and short sleeved, and they look great left open
- well fitting jacket
- I also made him get a vest, a casual CK black one, to wear
over other shirts. Layering is a great visual aid

**discalimer** LOL! I am not a professional

Maya

Veteran

Ana, I'm sure you'll get great advice here, but another place to look is at Stacy and Clinton's book "Dress Your Best." They have advice on different male body types at the back of the book, and all the dudes look great. I no longer think of WNTW as an authority by any means, but it's always a nice starting point.

Amanda

Ana - tell Brendan he looks very handsome in a button front shirt (and the cat is a nice accessory) so he should keep wearing them!

I'd forgotten that Reeboks were British -- at least he is wearing black ones not white ones.

Alecia

Veteran

Ana - I don't have much advice. I can barely figure out women's clothes, let alone mens. But my husband was looking over my shoulder when I was checking out the pictures and he said, "Looks good but lose the shoes." Disclaimer, my DH is a big shoe guy. I think he has more pairs than I do. Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration. Regardless, he would totally vote for Cons.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Arwwh. Brendan is a good sport! Jolly good show! Like the goatee. Is he happy with his specs?

The shirt is good. I’d have encouraged a size up. I know this is probably a 2XL already, but ON fits are small. Once you find jeans and better shoes, you’ll have Brendan looking spiff in no time. I have a 6ft 5 male client who wears 2XL. Macys is a good start. JC Penny is good too. Tommy Bahama is worth a try.

You’re looking for jeans that do the exact opposite on hubby. They need to be wider at the hem – not tapered. Have a look at this assortment:

http://www.rochesterclothing.c.....howMany=92

Hope Brendan becomes a Converse convert. I vote these – they have his size:

http://www.rochesterclothing.c.....=cat150277

But if Reebok is a must, I fancy these in red:
http://www.reebok.com/US/#/pro.....Id=R951657

Nicole

Veteran

Hi Ana...i like Brendan in buttondowns. Would he wear a long sleeve one in the cooler months?

Here are some Levis that are availabe in Big & Tall sizes.

http://www.westportbigandtall......Jeans.aspx

Men's waist sizes usually run even though--so finding 47 may be difficult.

How about casual shoes instead of sneakers?

http://www.westportbigandtall......-Shoe.aspx

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

Yes, Angie! I really really want to find some dark wash bootcut jeans for him. I have looked (and looked), and for some reason retailers think: Large size = tapered leg. Grr! I hate tapered leg jeans. Thanks for the link to the online shop. Brendan and I will look it over. The button down shirt is rather tight. They don't carry a size up. But, he did buy another green one that isn't as tight. I will check out the other shops you suggested. Maybe we can replace it.

He's pretty happy with his frames (or I guess I should say he's neutral). They are the rimless kind. I actually encouraged him to get those because the glasses he had when we first met were not flattering (and I don't know anything about glasses so rimless seemed a good choice to me). He might be open to a slightly funkier frame once he got the clothing thing sorted out, though. What are you thinking in terms of specs, Angie? ;D

I was talking to Brendan last night and he said he would be open to wearing non trainer shoes, but still sort of casual. Is there such a thing? What do you all think of something like these?

http://www.rochesterclothing.c.....=cat150277

http://www.rochesterclothing.c.....=cat150277

Thank you again ladies (and husbands)!

Nicole

Veteran

Ana, he's wearing a tee shirt under the buttondown. Is it a tee shirt that he would wear w/out a shirt over it? Or is it an undershirt? A true undershirt will fit snugger and the button down will fit better. Or if he is wearing an undershirt tee shirt, and the button down is still snug--he could try an A shirt (sleeveless ribbed) those are very snug.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Nicole, we posted at the same time!

He'd probably go with a 46 in jeans since a lot of them stretch out on him (he sits at a computer almost all day). He would definitely want to wear longer sleeves in the cooler months. I'm not sure about long sleeve button downs. He usually wears a lightweight pullover sweater layered over a t-shirt or something like that. I will ask him though.

He's wearing a t-shirt underneath the shirt that he would wear without the button down. I will suggest a thinner t-shirt to him in the future. We may just try to replace this one with another, nicer quality/better fitting one though.

I think you and I are on the same page about shoes!

Nicole

Veteran

Ana, I found a site that sells custom jeans for both men and women, but the waist measurement ends at 46....grrrrrrr

http://www.indidenim.com/oo/na.....AY_LANDING

Nicole

Veteran

We posted at the same time again. My point about the tee shirt is that a tighter one will help the shirt fit better.

An untucked long sleeve button down shirt will look really good. Since you think he'd go for 46's in jeans, you should check out the indidenim site I just linked. They offer so many options, he could definitely get a dark wash, wide leg jean and he can customize pockets, fading, etc. Personally, I'd go as simple as possible.

My husband has shoes very similar to the ones you linked to. Macy's has a great Men's shoe selection. That's where my husband gets most of his shoes, and he is a bit of a show freak.

Inge

(website)

Brendan is a really good sport Ana, allowing us to comment on his outfit;-)

I think he's doing a good job so far. I like button-downs for him, definitely keep doing that Brendan! The colour is great too and I was actually going to suggest trying a green one as well, but you guys beat me to it. (and maybe something purple?)

It's personal preference on my part - but I do remember Trinny & Susannah hammering on about this as well: I prefer long-sleeved button-downs, even in Summer (but I know the heat can be brutal where you live, so perhaps it would be uncomfortable?), rolled up to the elbow. It's somewhat slimming, but not just that, I just like them better that way;-)

Looks like it's hard finding good jeans, I hope you have some luck with the sites suggested here. A dark wash blue denim will be great, and maybe you could try a black denim too?
Would cords be an option?

Other outfits: I think he's already doing that, but a body-skimming lightweight V-neck sweater with a crewneck tee (white is always crisp, but colours that go with the sweater are good too) underneath.
Oh and how about wearing a corduroy jacket over all that? (or would that be too hot?) Not sure how Angie feels about corduroy jackets for men, but I think it can be a fun and great casual work look.
Alternatively: a button-down with tee underneath and a jacket on top. (p.s. jacket always unbuttoned)

I like the second pair of casual non-trainers you linked too Ana.
Born has some nice ones too:
http://www.bornshoes.com/view-all.asp

But Brendan, do consider trying some Converse too pretty please!!!! (black, charcoal, navy...). Just humour us, one pair couldn't hurt, right?-) It will look so sleek!!

Inge

(website)

It looks like the link isn't working. Just go to their website, click on Mens and then select Casual.
http://www.bornshoes.com/

These 'tailored ones' are not 'too dressy' either.
http://www.bornshoes.com/item......goryID=134

Inge

(website)

Oh and how about a cardigan sweater (nothing too dressy but still nice though, hoodie is optional), with a great button-down (worn untucked) underneath?

http://www.rochesterclothing.c.....d=cat10126
I would leave the cardigan open though, and of course it doesn't have to be cashmere;-)

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Hey Ana! It's nice to "see" Brendan again. And I love your kitty. Looks a bit like my Kimberly.
Anyway, I definitely do think men have body types. I have the book What Not to Wear and they cover the basic types and give a few tips.
Men confuse me when it comes to fashion. I can tell what doesn't look right, but I don't know how to fix it.
My husband has a really high waist and a bum I'm jealous of. So that makes pants awkward every time.
We did find some really nice jeans at Costco, of all places. They had some David Bitton Buffalo jeans, which I know they sell at places like Macys and Nordstrom. It might be worth checking for Brendan. When we went last, they only had larger sizes left.
My brother in law Dana is also european (Danish) and is a very big guy - barrel chested too. So finding him clothes is always a challenge. But they have been successful at Macys - specifically with Guess.
If Brendan is up to it, go to Macys on a Saturday morning and try on heaps of things. I have found through trial and error what I do and don't like for Bryan. We discovered that the blazer is not a good look for him, but the military type jacket and more square shaped jackets look great.
I just hope your husband has more shopping patience than mine.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Such fab advice, ladies! I’m impressed.

I was going to suggest L/S button downs but stopped myself because you live in a terribly HOT place. L/S button downs are a lot more stylish and balance out a blokes silhouette. Brendan could roll the sleeves up too. Just a thought for cooler months.

Both sets of shoes you’ve linked to are great casual alternatives.

Your boy has an edge to him, judging by what we’ve heard about his thinking and sense of humour! He needs a frame that’s stronger and makes more of a statement. Rimless frames often age a person – not always, but often. Does that make sense?