[Another] Clothes Thread

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Soldato
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At the risk of falling foul of the "OMG can't even dress yourself you massive manchild" crowd, I've still made this thread as the whole thing is beginning to drive me potty. I can't be the only one finding the whole clothes-thing a nightmare these days! If you're not interested or unwilling to actually help, here's your cue to click the back-button.

Okay, so my problem is this: I'm between a 32" and 34" waistline and for years have always found getting 34" better as it gave me room to move, to sit and to just generally be comfortable. They've always been a tiny bit on the baggy side as a consequence and not totally fashionable, but it was a decent compromise. The reason for needing to go slightly baggy is that I've always had quite large upper-legs - either to do with genetics or all the cycling I did when I was younger - but the fashion for the last few years has been geared towards chaps with absolutely no meat on the bone.

As such, lately I'm finding jeans and all manner of clothing an absolute nightmare. I'm spending money I can't really afford and still feeling like a twerp in the process.

For example: a size L t-shirt from say... Next basics fits me quite comfortably and doesn't look too bad, whereas a size L from Burton although fits, tends to look strange on me. Indeed, although a little larger, a size L from brands such as Puma are very comfortable around the neck and shoulders, but they tend to look too large for me in the process. Similar for size L from Nike - it's comfortable to wear but they're far too baggy and I look like a white-gangster, just without the drugs, women and ability to bitch about the ghetto when I wear them.

The main problem I'm finding with clothing in the sizes that should fit is that more often than not, they're far too tight for my shoulders. When I do get something that isn't tight, they tend to be stupidly long in terms of length. Indeed, a similar problem with shirts is that when they're comfortable in the shoulders and neck, they inevitably end up having excess material in the back and it ends up looking like they don't fit in the first place!

Anyway, my point is: I'm slightly larger or have a strange body-structure compared to what fashion is being made for at the moment. All my clothes I have left are more or less for comfort and are a little out-dated and at worse, completely unflattering now. I'm now in the market for a complete overhaul, except everytime I try to build a wardrobe so to speak, I find I'm spending money I can't really afford to on something that inevitably doesn't fit one way or the other or I quickly grow to resent.

I don't know who else is suffering with this, but it seems the older I get the more unfashionable I become and I seemingly don't have a fashion-sense anymore. Although it's not worrying as I'm perfectly happy with some jeans, some interesting t-shirts and the odd hoody. Throw in some casual shirts, and say no more, at my young age I do obviously want to seem presentable.

I'm not after anything flash. I just want some jeans that fit - namely around the upper legs as I hate feeling squashed when I sit - as bumping up a size to 36" will look like I'm wearing clown clothes. Likewise for T-shirts, I want some normal - i.e. unpretentious TopMan-frilly-scarf bum-me-sideways-nonsense - that when in the correct size isn't horribly restrictive in my shoulders.

Can anyone name anywhere that I'll find helpful? Any particular brand of jeans or shops for shirts, etc. that will help?

If you don't have the same problems in terms of shoulders and upper-legs, although I appreciate your time, I'm sure you'll understand if I say I'd prefer the advice of individuals in the same boat.

Never thought I'd make one of these threads. Probably not as structured as I'd like it to be either but for some reason I can hardly see straight today. I'm sure you get the gist of it. Cheers and apologies.
 
M+S jeans fit my prop forward thighs well.

Simple enough fashion solution is don't shop in the Arcadia group. The largest chest size they do in my local for example is 44inch. The last time I had a 44inch chest I was 14 :/
 
I have a big thighs and short legs. Trousers are a nightmare. I can't wear any jeans that sit low on my waist, as I'd need about a 38 inch waist to get round my big arse and thighs. I have to buy "regular" fit jeans from M&S or wherever. Even then, I have to try from just about every shop going until I can find something suitable.

Suits are a pig as well, as I have very broad shoulders, but quite a triangular torso, so my chest and stomach aren't nearly as wide, so any suit jacket that fits my shoulders can't be buttoned up without getting really stretched and out of shape. Roll on having enough money to buy some properly fitted suits...
 
Where is good to shop then?

Seriously, I'm completely lose these days. Imagine I'm a child. :p

EDIT:

Thank God I'm not the only one!
 
I'm afraid if you are going to buy a flattering pair of jeans you are probably going to sacrifice some of the comfort you are used to - you aren't going to get a pair of very flattering jeans that fit like your gym tracksuit bottoms. There is really no hard and fast rule as each brand fits so differently (and everyone is shaped so differently) that it's impossible to make any recommendations you could rely upon.

You should be looking for a pair of jeans that you can wear without a belt in terms of waist size (although obviously with a belt they would fit better and look better too). In terms of length sit down in the shop and see how the fit around your ankle - if they are showing too much sock they are too short.

General rules for the moment:
- boot cut is seemingly out of fashion, straight cut is in
- don't buy jeans with holes in, they are dreadful

Personally, I would avoid next like the plague, it's very hard to pull of next clothing and look stylish or cutting edge.
 
I'm a cyclist and have the same prob with Jeans, I'm a 32 waist but they always feel tight around the thighs. I just bought a pair of jeans recently that sorted this issue - look for some "Dropped Crotch" or "Carrot Top" jeans/chinos and you should be fine :D
 
Aye, those rules I try and follow already. I understand that I can't have my cake and eat it but at the moment, I'm just literally left with wearing cargos at the moment as I can't stand jeans anymore.

Just want to be pointed in the right direction as Arcadia are obviously rubbish and aside from M+S, BHS and Debenhams (even in Debs, I'm not sure which ranges I should be looking at?), I'm not really sure where to look. Online is a bit problematic due to needing to try things first.
 
I'm a cyclist and have the same prob with Jeans, I'm a 32 waist but they always feel tight around the thighs. I just bought a pair of jeans recently that sorted this issue - look for some "Dropped Crotch" or "Carrot Top" jeans/chinos and you should be fine :D

Carrot Tops are the work of the devil.
 
Try Gap then, they usually have a sale on and I've found their denim very comfortable you should be able to pick a pair up for £30 - my last pair from there were £15 and have done very nicely.

If not get yourself some nice Edwin Selvedge Jeans, circa £100
 
Unfortunately no GAP shops near where I live. Although I did pick up some cargos from a GAP a while ago and they've proven to be quite comfortable.
 
I sit between 32" and 34" waist, but have big chunky legs. I find All Saints jeans with the Iggy fit at 34" waist is good! 33" is the best and 34" sits a bit low on your waist, but fit great on my legs and well enough round the waist :)

Can be pretty expensive, but sales can be a god send. I've paid £85 for one pair normally, and £75 for two pairs in the sales........

Edit: Iggy is All Saints version of Slim Fit!
 
Honestly, you'd be surprised.

I would have to be, as when I'm shopping all I see is clothes for smaller people. You aren't that big, anything that sits wrong because you are slightly out of proportion is just the way it goes tbh :( shops make clothes for normal proportioned people, anything outside of the norm isn't worth them making in any great number unfortunately.
 
Have you considered wearing tailored casual trousers like chinos or corduroy and getting the waist taken in/let out an inch or so by the tailor? They also fit less tightly than denim. Gap and Banana Republic sell decent, cheap contemporary-fitting such trousers.

Jeans are ok to wear as part of a wardrobe, but I find people who exclusively wear them rather lacking in imagination anyway. Perhaps you already do this, in which case I can't help!
 
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