Do you guys find it difficult to buy suits?

[King Damager]

After the initial experience that led me to consider creating this thread, I was going to use it as an advice thread. However thinking about it, advice is irrelevant, and realistically experiences and the such like I figure will be much more interesting.

Basically, the situation was as follows. I went in a couple of days ago to buy my first proper suit - decent quality suit. I then discovered that apparently, relative to my height and chest size I have relatively broad shoulders. This resulted in my general suit size being a 38 short slim fit with a 32 waist - I used to have a 29" waist... Really need to get fit again.... What's more, even suits in this size had issues.... As all suit makers actually seem to make all their sizes slightly differently, I put on some suits where the arms were way too tight, or the shoulders were still too thin etc....

A lot of it I feel comes down to both the fact that I swim, and have relatively broad shoulders due to genes etc.... However for me it was more, find a suit that fitted, then decide if I liked it.

We tried a selection of shops, m&s, debenhams, and Moss Bros.m&s were completely useless for their sizes, debenhams were slightly better with moss being the best. Even so the guy in Moss bros did say they often had issues with guys who were fitter and body builders, often created issues.

In light of this, was just wondering if people have problems/ what experiences you've had etc....

kd

 

[Skillmister]

I'm finding it really hard to a nice fitting pair of jeans recently. Can only imagine it being worse for suits

 

[King Damager]

I'm finding it really hard to a nice fitting pair of jeans recently. Can only imagine it being worse for suits

Actually, thinking about it, I've had the same issue!

My legs are hardly huge, but the small amount of cycling I've been doing recently has resulted in some leg muscle growth. I'm starting to think I might have to start spending more on jeans so I can find a decently made pair that actually fit properly...

With decent easily accessible pockets would be even nicer!

kd

 

[touch]

Actually, thinking about it, I've had the same issue!

My legs are hardly huge, but the small amount of cycling I've been doing recently has resulted in some leg muscle growth.

I have the same prob.
Im around a 34 waist, but i need to buy 36 + a belt to fit my legs into

 

[shroomz]

Yep, same issue. Don't even bother with jeans anymore. The only place that did have clothes that fit me very well was Hugo Boss but dressing entirely there is a bit out of my budget lol.

 

[GAC]

where to start, im 6'3 and iv been over 20st for years. pack that on with hiting the weights and playing rugby and american football iv always had issues with stuff.

jeans i just go for loose fitting ones thighs at the mo are at 26.5" and thats with being sat on my backside for 2 months not doing much.

as for suits made to measure all the way to be honest, never been able to find anything off the rail that fits, what does make me laugh and cry in equell amounts are tshirts and shirts. god only knows what people they use to get shapes for large shirts (20" plus collars). and tshirts are just bizzare, be it short even when there a xxxl or just tiny, found one online supplier offering a xxxl tshirt with 46-48 chest ?! give them a wash and low and behold i have a pile of skin tight crop tops :S

 

[Brumboy]

I find it really easy to find clothes and suits that fit me. I'm 5'7, 36 chest & 30 waist, I buy "small" in everything and it fits tightly, in a few months I'll probably have to buy medium though but for now I love the way my suit, tops, jeans, chino's fit me. I look in between stocky & ripped if you know what I mean.

Only problem is my entire wardrobe is "small" so if I get bigger..I'll have to buy a new wardrobe which will be tough ..

My suit is from M & S and is really nice (good quality and excellent fit). Always go for slim fit suits though, they look way better on guys.

 

[kefkef]

I find it really easy to find clothes and suits that fit me. I'm 5'7, 36 chest & 30 waist, I buy "small" in everything and it fits tightly, in a few months I'll probably have to buy medium though but for now I love the way my suit, tops, jeans, chino's fit me. I look in between stocky & ripped if you know what I mean.

Only problem is my entire wardrobe is "small" so if I get bigger..I'll have to buy a new wardrobe which will be tough ..

My suit is from M & S and is really nice (good quality and excellent fit). Always go for slim fit suits though, they look way better on guys.

Hmm, I'm 5'7" also, though with a 44" chest and 33" waist (I call myself stocky! ) I find I have to buy medium in some clothes stores or XL in places like Next! Can't wear 501's as can't get the waist over my thighs unless it is some stupid size! If I get 44 chest suits the sleeves are too long so usually buy 42 and put up with the shoulder stretch.

 

[Cristian]

it is an absolute bloody nightmare.
I have a 46" chest and a 34-35"waist - everything that I try on and fits decently on my shoulders and under the armpits looks like an absolute bloody tent on my mid section. It's not even worth trying anymore, I just make sure it fits decently around the chest and shoulders and get it altered around the waist afterwards. The only problem is that you can only alter a suit so much before it starts looking deformed.


It's the same with pants - I have to buy 38" trousers so that they fit around my legs and loose 3"+ inches around the waist via a tailor.

 

[weescott]

Being 5'6" with a 16" neck makes it impossible to get any regular shirt to fit me. I need to go up a trouser size due to my thighs being too big.
It's very difficult to get any jeans that fit me, even 95% of loose fit jeans.


I went for a kilt fitting the other month expecting some issues to be told....oooh you have broad feet!

 

[kefkef]

I've definately noticed a change in stores over the last few years where I've stayed the same size but have gone from a medium to an XL. I blame all these skinny kids with their skinny jeans!! Haha.

 

[#Chri5#]

It is a PITA. Ideally I'm a 34" waist but usually end up with 36" jeans and I think my recent suit and work trousers needed to be 38" (which then look naff around the waist).

When I was suit shopping I went to Cheshire Oaks and was amazed to find a lot of the brands wouldn't let you mix & match trouser / jacket sizes. Ended up getting something from Jeff Banks who did let you swap things around.

Will be tempted to spend more next time and get something tailored eg A Suit That Fits

 

[Freefaller]

Suits typically never fit perfectly off the shelf so it's not surprising that people find it hard to find.

Trousers around the bum/thighs is an issue. Suits around the waist and shoulders is an issue.

If you have any shape to you you'll struggle to find a good fitting suit.

Best bet, go tailored - but it's expensive. Alternative, buy off the shelf and get some adjustments made. Or just shop shop shop until you find something that fits reasonably well.

 

[platypus]

I can't get jeans that fit me because of the size of my thighs, and I can't get shirts/jumpers/suits off the shelf that fit me because of my shoulders.

 

[Supercow]

Have a suit made, easy enough and not as expensive as you might think.

I'm like weescott (though better looking and a bit taller), with my chunky neck work shirts do not fit me, they are always too big. Lucky I don;t need to wear ties so I just buy shirts who's necks are too small so the shirt will fit.

 

[bam0]

it is an absolute bloody nightmare.
I have a 46" chest and a 34-35"waist - everything that I try on and fits decently on my shoulders and under the armpits looks like an absolute bloody tent on my mid section. It's not even worth trying anymore, I just make sure it fits decently around the chest and shoulders and get it altered around the waist afterwards. The only problem is that you can only alter a suit so much before it starts looking deformed.

I'm about the same size as you and had a hell of a time looking for my last suit, I asked in a shop about it and they said the standard cut for a suit is 6 inches difference between jacket and trousers, so even if you swap the trousers round that's the size of waist the jacket is cut to fit. In the end I found a suit with a better fit, took a size down on the jacket (and just accepted you'll see the sides of my shoulders at the top of the sleeve) and had the trousers adjusted.

The same sizes they use means shirts that fit have to be basically pleated over themselves and finding a nice overcoat is impossible.

 

[Jonny69]

I've had problems with suits in the last 10 years or so, because most blokes now have guts and suits are made to accommodate them. I have no gut and I'm skinny, so it's typically only the more expensive suits that fit me. Frustrating, but I don't have to wear a suit very often, so it doesn't matter to me only owning the one.

Next problem is leg growth from running and cycling. Jeans that fit round the waist don't fit over my bum or thighs and I've split one pair when I crouched down . My suit trousers need altering but it looks like there is enough fabric to do so, thankfully

 

[touch]

I don't have to wear a suit very often

This, actually.
I cant remember the last time i wore my suit.
The only possible use i can think for it in the future is for an important job interview or a court appearance.
I'm happy in my job, and dont intend on being arrested anytime soon, so maybe not being able to find a suit that fits isnt that bad.