I have developed a problem over the years of finding dress shirts that can look very odd when I put them on. The problem is that I need an 18 1/2 shirt to fit my neck and chest. The only thing is my waist is around 36". When I tuck in the shirts it pulls out and the bottom of the shirt bulges out in weird ways and even if I try and make it fit easier, there is always an area that you have to compensate for it being loose. Anyone got any suggestions on getting tapered shirts anywhere?
Why not alter your existing shirts at a good tailor?
You need to learn how to tuck. Any non-fat man has this same problem.
[quote]enrac wrote:
Why not alter your existing shirts at a good tailor?[/quote]
definitely cheaper than buying new shirts.
I had to find a shirt on short notice, went to men’s wearhouse, a plain white 18.5 neck 34/35 sleeve cost me $55 on sale, because it was “fitted”.
maybe that isn’t out of your price range, but I don’t wear button downs except to funerals or weddings so it seemed steep.
The shirts you want are sometimes called ‘slim fit’ or ‘athletic fit’.
Express has dress shirts called ‘1MX Fitted.’ They are the best fitting dress shirts I have every tried on, aside from expensive custom shirts. They run $59, but are only $29 each if you buy three or more.
They are also made out of a stretchy material, so you don’t get tight spots anywhere.
Only con is the color choices are limited.
You could also go with a European company, since the true fit of a man is that the waist is slimmer than the shoulders. I don’t know why the American companies insist on making the shoulder and waist measurements the same, giving the blocky look. My favorite is Armani Collezioni, my measurements are
Chest 46
Arm Length 35
Waist 36
Neck 17
Even with these I seem to find a shirt that fits appropriately despite the chest/waist difference being so much. Any good tailor will tell you that any difference more than 6 inches is considered an “athletic” build here in America, but go to Europe and that is considered more normal than anything. The shirts are more expensive but you will look sharp as hell.
I know exactly what your talking about. The best I have found are the Brooks Brothers slim fits. They run about $70 normally and $50ish on sale.
Shirts are pretty easy for me compared to mens suits. Altering a 44-46 sized suit to fit a 32-33 inch waist makes them look horrible.
[quote]MaximusB wrote:
You could also go with a European company, since the true fit of a man is that the waist is slimmer than the shoulders. I don’t know why the American companies insist on making the shoulder and waist measurements the same, giving the blocky look. My favorite is Armani Collezioni, my measurements are
Chest 46
Arm Length 35
Waist 36
Neck 17
Even with these I seem to find a shirt that fits appropriately despite the chest/waist difference being so much. Any good tailor will tell you that any difference more than 6 inches is considered an “athletic” build here in America, but go to Europe and that is considered more normal than anything. The shirts are more expensive but you will look sharp as hell. [/quote]
What part of Europe are we talking about and how old is that info?
Because it sure seems to me that all of Germany has adopted the American way when it comes to how clothes are cut…
We don’t get those cool ultra-wide-shouldered bouncer suit jackets anymore, either 
[quote]MaximusB wrote:
My favorite is Armani Collezioni, my measurements are…
The shirts are more expensive but you will look sharp as hell. [/quote]
Dude, for up to $400 a shirt I better get laid in about 30sec’s of walking into a bar lol
[quote]msd0060 wrote:
You need to learn how to tuck. Any non-fat man has this same problem.[/quote]
Is there really anyway that doesn’t drive us all nuts though?
[quote]CrewPierce wrote:
MaximusB wrote:
My favorite is Armani Collezioni, my measurements are…
The shirts are more expensive but you will look sharp as hell.
Dude, for up to $400 a shirt I better get laid in about 30sec’s of walking into a bar lol[/quote]
Dude, did you know there is a recession going on? I can get a shirt like the one I mention for 170 bucks, which yet is still expensive, but nowhere near $400 like you speak of. No shirt, yes NO SHIRT is worth $400 smacks.
The easiest way is to get it tailored. I’m a 19 38/39, and you can imagine what kind of slob that size is intended for. I brought it to the tailor at the local cleaners and for 11$ I got it tailored to a perfect fit. Makes it much easier then searching out the Perfect shirt right off the rack.
[quote]MaximusB wrote:
CrewPierce wrote:
Dude, did you know there is a recession going on? I can get a shirt like the one I mention for 170 bucks, which yet is still expensive, but nowhere near $400 like you speak of. No shirt, yes NO SHIRT is worth $400 smacks.[/quote]
HAHA, I guess no recession for you!! lol
[quote]MaximusB wrote:
You could also go with a European company, since the true fit of a man is that the waist is slimmer than the shoulders. I don’t know why the American companies insist on making the shoulder and waist measurements the same, giving the blocky look. My favorite is Armani Collezioni, my measurements are
Chest 46
Arm Length 35
Waist 36
Neck 17
Even with these I seem to find a shirt that fits appropriately despite the chest/waist difference being so much. Any good tailor will tell you that any difference more than 6 inches is considered an “athletic” build here in America, but go to Europe and that is considered more normal than anything. The shirts are more expensive but you will look sharp as hell. [/quote]
Maximus, Armani shirts and Thiers-Issard razors, livin large!
my wardrobe consists largely of free t-shirts from fitness equipment reps and adidas shorts that I get hooked up on because a friend of mine works at an adidas outlet.
oh, and the black polo’s that I wear for work - are provided by work.
though I have to admit, the one shirt I have that’s fitted makes me look pretty damn good.
[quote]MaximusB wrote:
CrewPierce wrote:
MaximusB wrote:
My favorite is Armani Collezioni, my measurements are…
The shirts are more expensive but you will look sharp as hell.
Dude, for up to $400 a shirt I better get laid in about 30sec’s of walking into a bar lol
Dude, did you know there is a recession going on? I can get a shirt like the one I mention for 170 bucks, which yet is still expensive, but nowhere near $400 like you speak of. No shirt, yes NO SHIRT is worth $400 smacks.[/quote]
Hey man I just looked it up online and saw sacks 5th had them for between 200-385.
As far as Europe goes, I was there 2 months ago and had little problem finding shirts there, despite my pencil neck cousin calling me enormous.
Tailoring is a good idea if you need a LITTLE amount of altering done. When I mean little, I mean like no more than 4 inches. When you start taking chunks of material off, the shirt or pant loses its shape and looks like total shit.
Also finding a good tailor is important, I had some asshole take too much when shortening my pants, thus giving me high waters. I swear I nearly choked him.
You can get athletic fit shirts at Van Heusen for less than $20. Less than $15 if you go to a discount store like Syms.
[quote]johnnytang24 wrote:
You can get athletic fit shirts at Van Heusen for less than $20. Less than $15 if you go to a discount store like Syms.[/quote]
Damn I feel kinda stupid now
I get my dress shirts at Kohl’s. Look for the “fitted” styles. Like johnnytang said, they may also be labeled something like “athletic fit.” I think they are the same price as the other shirts, too.
My only concern was that the “fitted” styles said something like “slim through the chest and waist.” I was worried they would be too tight through the chest, but they aren’t on me.