https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 14 May 2026 20:44:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-447109 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:10:20 +0000 Vix 447109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Kari --</p> <p>As mentioned a million times, you two make a very attractive couple!</p> <p>You already know all about fit and proportion issues, so I'd encourage you to beat that drum with your SO. </p> <p>Where his long sleeves, shorts, and shirt tails end, how much fabric is in the arm, torso, and neck, where the shoulder sits -- it all makes a difference. And as one who is on the shorter side myself, baggy generally = wider, shorter, droopy-shouldered appearance.</p> <p>If he doesn't want to jump in and get fussed over by sales or alterations folks yet, maybe play tailor with him -- roll up a single hem/sleeve, pinch the fabric out of a dress shirt with binder clips, pull up the shoulder line -- and see if he thinks it makes a difference?</p> <p>While Mr Vix has different fit issues than your SO, he has just had to overhaul his closet from the "PNW uniform" of baggy fleece, Ts, and jeans back into more-biz-than-casual business casual. </p> <p>One of the things he finally did was spend time getting dress shirts that fit/fit better in the arms and torso. Which meant being patient with special ordering and/or tailoring vs one and done "it'll do" buying. It has made such a difference and now he's getting to be a shirt snob, ha. </p> <p>[Though I can still smuggle the cats under/down the legs of his "comfortable" Ts and jeans.]</p> <p>Oh -- I agree that the open dress shirt with/without rolled-up sleeves over graphic T plus/minus jeans is a good middle ground for guys who want to be a little dressed up...but not too much.</p> <p>IIRC the first US WNTW book has menswear examples. I will look tonight. PM me if you are interested and I space! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446967 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:08:48 +0000 goldenpig 446967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my goodness, what a cute couple you make! Thanks for sharing pics! My husband has a very similar build and it is challenging to find clothes that fit him. Plus he has lost some weight so he needs new clothes. I will be watching this thread for suggestions! I am trying to get him to find some jeans that fit him (the ones he bought from LL Bean are too baggy IMO). I agree with trying to get your boyfriend to wear more collared shirts like in #1, it looks much sharper. Maybe he can put the collared shirt over a light colored T shirt, kind of like a jacket, if he is not ready to give up the T shirts altogether. My husband loves collared shirts from Tommy Bahama--they have a lot more than aloha shirts. They have a lot of nice striped shirts that are nice enough to wear to work on casual Fridays. He's also found some nice casual shirts by PrAna at REI and Amazon. Just thought I'd throw out another couple options! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446961 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 07:52:52 +0000 lyn67 446961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awesome guy, beautiful couple!! Love that He lets himself styled by You! I think this is the greatest compliment fashionwise a girl can get! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446436 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:46:41 +0000 KikiG 446436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a cute guy! You are so darling together!</p> <p>I agree with encouraging him to gradually replace the cargo shorts with shorts that are flat front and not quite so long. If the crotch is long, it makes the legs look very short.</p> <p>The v-neck with the tee under it was very flattering; why don't you see if you can't come up with some variations on this look? If a sweater or outer layer has some stiffness or structure to it, it won't cling to his tummy so much. Also, watch the length on the tops. Figure out where his most flattering top length is, and reject anything that isn't right or have it altered. I have shortened tops for guys before and it is not difficult. </p> <p>I think he is probably wearing woven shirts that come in sizes S, M, L, XL, etc. When those shirts get bigger, the arms get longer and longer. It makes a big difference when the sleeve length is right. Jos. A. Banks and a few other places still sell shirts by collar size and exact sleeve length. Failing that, encourage him to roll the long sleeves up--that is slimming for men and women, and acceptable in all but the most formal of workplaces. </p> <p>An untucked polo (especially with a tee shirt under it, peeking out of the collar) would also be adorable on him--again, watch the length of the shirt and the sleeve length. You don't want a too-long sleeve. If you can figure out what brand is magic, you can gradually add these to his wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446428 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:42:23 +0000 Anonymous 446428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have any helpful advice, but I had to pop onto your thread to say how adorable you two are together!!!! Cute couple to the max!!!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446377 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:37:05 +0000 Jjsloane 446377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari you are so cute together! I'd suggest trying Lands End Canvas (hipper more JCrew like but at better price points), LL Bean Signature, Gap, Banana Republic. They all have "polo" shirts that are in super soft cotton knit (as opposed to traditional pique knits. Feel like a tshirt, but dressier:<br /> <a href="http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/JerseyPocketPolo~221625_-1.html?bcc=y&#038;action=order_more&#038;sku_0=" rel="nofollow">http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/.....038;sku_0=</a>::WSD&amp;CM_MERCH=IDX_Men-_-Sale&amp;origin=index<br /> DH has this tee in a couple colors (comes in v neck and crew) and would be a tee but nicer looking<br /> <a href="http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/JaspeacuteVneckTee~212415_-1.html?bcc=y&#038;action=order_more&#038;sku_0=" rel="nofollow">http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/.....038;sku_0=</a>::EW8&amp;CM_MERCH=IDX_Men-_-Sale&amp;origin=index</p> <p>For shoes, my DH has these and it could work for your SO. Feels like a sneaker, but looks like a dressier shoe<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OHDVIK" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OHDVIK</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446296 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:48:14 +0000 Kari 446296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And also, thanks so much for the sweet comments from many of you. I think we're pretty cute together, too. *grin* But I'm biased! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446295 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:47:43 +0000 Kari 446295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow. Great suggestions already! I don't know that B. has ever tried Land's End, but I'll give it a look. Somehow I don't think an overlayer (jacket) is going to fly - it's hard enough to get him to wear a rain jacket when it's pouring out, and he also tends to run very hot (I'm the exact opposite.)<br /> Elly, B. usually does wear jeans being that we are in Seattle but I wasn't able to lay my hands on a picture just now. I do think that he needs at least one pair of shorts though for when it gets hot in the summer, and next year I'm hoping we can find something more flattering than these cargo shorts. But I'm not sure what else is offered in the shorts category for men!<br /> I like the idea of trying softer button-downs, and *maybe* eventually I can get B. to upgrade his casual shoe wear from sneakers - though as I mentioned, he's got picky feet and finds sneakers most comfortable.<br /> Thanks for the tips! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446281 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:07:14 +0000 san 446281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari I know nothing about fitting menswear but had to chime in and say what a beautiful couple you two are. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446223 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:39:55 +0000 marianna 446223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My B has a similar build too and it's so hard to find clothes that fit properly. He is short, with very broad shoulders. I find that skinny/straight leg pants are the most flattering because they make him appear taller... if he wears baggy/loose pants, he appears shorter and wider. Most of his pants are from the Gap, but I found some skinny Dockers at NAS that are fab too. All his pants need to be hemmed. Gap online has 28 inch inseams, though...</p> <p>Tops are easier to find. Jackets are a different story! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446195 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:13:48 +0000 Sparky 446195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You two make such a cute couple together! I think Katiepea's suggestions are excellent. I was also going to suggest polo shirts as a step up from tees that B might be comfortable with. Have you looked at Lands' End? I like their mesh polos for men especially; they drape well. LE also has a wide variety of sizes for their woven shirts. My DH is also short, and has done well with LE shirts both for work and for casual use (in his case he sometimes needs the trim fit). </p> <p>And tell him well done with the Eccos! Those are great shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446194 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:13:32 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 446194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My partner was similar but a touch taller. I say was because the two of us and his 15 year old daughter joined weight watchers last February and he has gone from 210 lbs to 190 lbs and is 5'8" or a touch taller. He has broad shoulders, deep chest and my family of skinny calved long legged people refer to his legs as tank legs - solid muscle and thick. </p> <p>When we met, he was wearing tapered jeans and most of his dress pants had cuffs. He has had luck with both the Gap and Old Navy straight leg or bootcut jeans. The Gap bootcut are almost a straight leg so they give a nice long line. He also seemed to buy jackets that had a bomber style with elastic at the bottom which emphasized the tummy. We found him a few great looking jackets that fit well and don't pull in.</p> <p>Shirts have been a problem because if they fit in the chest and shoulders they were like tents. We found a local business that does custom shirts and suits. The shirts are a perfect fit. He bought two to test it out and now has 12. My son just got measured last week for a super 140s wool suit for his B-day gift from me. If your partner needs dress pants and you can find a similar service, it is worth the price. </p> <p>I am sure you already know that cuffed pants and any pleating is the devil. :)</p> <p>And last and perhaps most important, you truly are an adorable couple. You both have such presence and just looking at the pics makes me feel like I would like to meet you both and hang out over dinner. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446190 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:09:55 +0000 Elly 446190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awww . . .you two are so cute. </p> <p>I have a close friend with the identical body type. I would love to say that he has given me tons of great ideas, but he actually reacted to gaining a bit of weight by starting to wear pants with rhinestone skulls on the behind, so I will not be using him as an example. </p> <p>My first suggestion off the top of my head would be to ditch the cargo shorts. This look works for so few men and it makes shirt and shoe choices so much harder. In Seattle men just don't need to wear shorts. Even with the logo ts your SO would look 10x better in your casual pictures if he had just put on a pair of nice jeans. </p> <p>A great place to start for comfy weekend wear that is more flattering than ts would be button-downs in a softer casual fabric--- in seattle a cotton or wool flannel (they come in plain colors) would be soft like a t, but look a lot sharper. Some guys like the well-washed light cotton in the summer, while others prefer a more masculine twill type fabric but most men are able to find some sort of button-down that they are comfortable in. There is always the option of a long-sleeved t underneath, and the shirts shouldn't be too restricting since slightly oversized will work. </p> <p>For casual shoe options, boots are great. Lots of men's casual boot manufacturers build their boots around athletic style soles. </p> <p>Another idea is the introduction of the third piece ---- casual jackets take a t and jeans or even work clothes to the next level. </p> <p>My old man and brother have similar coloring (blonde, blue eyes) and they both look great in greys, blues, and greens. For other options, a maroon type red also really makes blue eyes pop and is still masculine. My little bro looks great in purple too, but getting him to wear it can be a struggle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446184 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:52:07 +0000 annagybe 446184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We got them last year. Sorry don't remember. My father has had good luck at the downtown Nordstrom Rack. They do alterations (although you have to pay). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446181 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:48:35 +0000 Katiepea 446181@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, Kari, he has such a lovely, friendly face and you two look so happy and gorgeous together &lt;sigh!&gt; </p> <p>My brother has an identical body shape and I have helped him a little in his past with clothes. I also *try* and help my hubby now with his clothes. (Oh and I have three sons, so my life is all about boys, boys, boys....)</p> <p>Dare I suggest that he may like to try polo shirts as a slight step up from t-shirts? Just because I think the collar does add just a touch more formality to the look. I bet you would be fantastic at helping him choose shades that would really flatter his colouring. Make sure you try a few different brands and styles though, because as per women's clothes, the right fit makes all the difference. (For instance, my hubby is tall and fairly lean, so he actually looks better in a slim-fit polo, a baggier polo looks like it was made for his father!) Go for some colours that really make his eyes pop - what about a beautiful bright blue? I bet that would make his eyes sparkle. :-)</p> <p>He could try the t-shirt under an open shirt look and see if that works. On some guys this looks lovely, on others, it can look "wrong", but you never know until you try. My hubby sometimes has a t-shirt under a shirt and then the shirt buttoned up most of the way. This can look nice as well - it needs to be a neutral, not patterned t-shirt though. He'll sometimes even wear a dark navy/black slim-fit t-shirt (don't want to add bulk) under the top. This works relatively well when the weather is starting to get cooler and he still wants to get a touch more wear out of his summer shirts.</p> <p>Make sure his jeans/trousers are all PPL. This is *so* important. Now he has his shoes, you can do alterations to make sure they are a perfect compliment to each other. </p> <p>Also check whether at the back of his pants there can sometimes be a "gape", which can be possibly altered to fit nicely around the waist. A gape at the back can make the pants ride down or fit funny at the front.</p> <p>Now in terms of business wear, I can suggest that a tip I learnt from my hubby when he wears his business shirts is that he sort of does a "pleat" in the back of his shirt when he tucks them into his trousers to help avoid the shirt "blousing out" when he moves. (You know, how you see your guy all nicely tucked in and then five minutes later his shirt has "pulled out" a little and he doesn't look quite as polished? This trick will help minimise this issue. Sort of fold the sides in once or twice like a fan and then tuck right down into the trousers.)</p> <p>He often also tends to choose to wear a darkish charcoal trouser, rather than black and I have to say that overall, I really prefer him in this colour because it is less jarring on his colouring. (He also prefers to avoid wearing black trousers/jacket because of the whole business association with different colours thang. Consider whether this may be an issue for your partner.) </p> <p>My brother also looks great in shirts which have a vertical pin-stripe through them - they help to create a nice vertical line and he will also sometimes just leave the top button undone and not wear a tie, this can actually look really nice. </p> <p>Oh, finally, if you are checking for jackets, check for the fit. I know because they really want it to fit across the waist, there can sometimes be a big issue emerge with fit in the shoulder. It may be worth going to a specialty clothing store for "big men" if necessary, in order to get a proper fit across the shoulders and waist. When my brother wore a jacket that fit properly across the shoulders (instead of part-way down his arm) the difference in appearance really was noticeable. Seriously. </p> <p>Anyway, I hope maybe one of these ideas may be a good starting point. Feel free to ignore if they are not appropriate to your situation.</p> <p>Finally, I think it is wonderful that he is taking an interest in his appearance! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446173 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:40:57 +0000 Kari 446173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awesome, Anna. Do you happen to know which style of pants your friend got? B. has some pants that he got recently at the Gap that are okay, but the pockets are side-slits and even though the pants fit, the pockets gape out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446170 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:37:08 +0000 annagybe 446170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My male best friend is a similar height and body shape. We lucked out on jeans and pants from the Gap. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446164 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:32:29 +0000 Kari 446164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nicole, we actually do have a pair of jeans we found together that I like a lot on him. They are Lee Relaxed Fit Straight Leg. B. doesn't like a lot of fabric around his ankles - no widelegs or bootcuts - but these also aren't tapered and are pretty flattering, and they came in a length that fit his height (though I'm still always reminding him, "if you only can find jeans that fit in width but are too long, we'll just take them to a tailor!") There's plenty of room in the rear and thigh. I'm not sure whether the pair B. got is the Premium Select or the Dungaree fit, though it looks like both are similar:<br /> <a href="http://www.lee.com/store/LEE_STORE_US/en_US/product/men/premium-select/premium-select-relaxed-straight-leg-jean.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.lee.com/store/LEE_S.....-jean.html</a><br /> <a href="http://www.lee.com/store/LEE_STORE_US/en_US/product/men/jeans/dungaree-relaxed-fit-straight-leg-jean.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.lee.com/store/LEE_S.....-jean.html</a><br /> I wholly sympathize as I know how hard it is to find pants that work well.</p> <p>Suz, that would be great! Please feel welcome to pass on suggestions if your friend is willing to share. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446151 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:20:27 +0000 Suz 446151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari, you make an absolutely adorable couple! Thank you for sharing this with us. </p> <p>Really, it is such an honour to get these glimpses into one another's lives with our WIW and other pics. </p> <p>I do not have any brilliant suggestions as to style off the top of my head. However, a very dear friend of mine is a similar height, age, and body type to B, and lately I have noticed that he has been dressing much more sharply (on the whole) than he used to do, both for work and casually. I will actually be staying at his place in Toronto when we have our meetup. So I am going to ask him about the brands he prefers and relay that message to you when we see each other. Maybe you'll be able to get B a present! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446150 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:20:24 +0000 nicoleb 446150@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>He's a cutie! I don't really have any suggestions -- i just wanted to say: He dresses like my husband (and has the same body type too! My hubby is 5'7") and i just kind of either let him be or buy clothes for him lol. </p> <p>If you do end up finding an awesome jean brand he loves please let me know. My DH really struggles with this as he has a short inseam and has fit issues with his thighs. I never, ever buy pants for him unless he is with me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoes-for-my-so-triumph-and-now-we-need-help-with-clothing#post-446147 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:15:10 +0000 Kari 446147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So a long-overdue update to <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-my-boyfriend-find-shoes">this thread</a>... I passed on the suggestions to my boyfriend (B) a while back and he looked at a couple places without finding much, then kind of let the subject drop. He opted to wear less comfortable but dressy shoes at the office, and wear comfortable sneakers to commute to work. As long as he was dressed appropriately actually at work, I was happy.</p> <p>Well, today he came home with a pair of nice black lace-up ECCO shoes that he found all on his own! They look very nice - not super duper dressy, but polished, appropriate for his workplace, a vast improvement on the last, worn-out pair he had. Apparently they are quite comfortable with some memory-foam footbed inserts popped in.</p> <p>I offered to help pay for some of the cost of the shoes, which was what I told him I'd be willing to do originally, but he said they are within budget - he said that instead, he needs more help with clothing since his wardrobe, and particularly his bus-cas attire, is still quite small. Also, Christmas and his birthday are not far off. </p> <p>With his permission I'm posting pictures here. B. has some fit challenges with clothing - he's on the short side (about 5'8"), mainly short in the legs, and is a stocky apple body type with strong shoulders. He has gorgeous blue eyes and wears glasses full-time. He's several years older than I am, though he looks quite a bit younger than his age.<br /> For his work wear it's generally knakis or black pants with a patterned button-down shirt tucked in &amp; with a belt (Picture #1.)<br /> For casual wear he goes for jeans, logo tee shirts, and sneakers (Pictured #2-4).<br /> I like him best in woven shirts that are a bit oversized, and with his coloring (blonde with blue eyes) he looks especially great in blues and greens. I'm not really a fan of tee shirts in general, so I'd like to help nudge him towards a slightly more smart-casual look, but I know he prefers the comfort of tee shirts.</p> <p>What would you suggest for my helping B. with the next leg of his style journey? </p>