Fat gentlemen of Chicago where do you shop?

January 15, 2016 9:01 AM

I got a desk job last year and with it came about 30lbs and I've gone from just being tall to being big and tall. I'm gathering momentum for working out but I need to dress the body I have right now.

I lean more towards generic button downs or tshirts with no lables. I think my shirt size is now 18.5 37/38. I like vintage shops but I'm 6'3" and 305lbs so the options are very limited. Destination XL seems a little preppy?

posted by Uncle to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (6 answers total)

Best answer: Same height and always been on the stocky side. Destination XL is crap quality and it is actually part of the Rochester Big and Tall company. Truth be told I hate Rochester Big and Tall (840 N Michigan Ave) but in a pinch they can make you OK both on the dress and casual side.

My preference is classic. And there you have a load of options. RalphLauren.com big and tall has an amazing selection of casual and dress (bonus points for no logos as well) at really good prices. Always check the sale section as well. Usually if I drop 500 bucks there will get free shipping and a 100 bucks credit. The other thing is their pants and jeans are of unusually good quality for the price.

Another alternative for classic casual is Brooks Brothers online. The stores only cater to frat boy turned financial adviser but online is great. Their dress shirts (no logos) are the bomb and at around a 100 a shirt - extremely reasonably priced for the quality. 18 and half 37/38 is no problem at all the selection is brilliant.

Hope that helps, I have been struggling to find great clothes and suits - I am a 19 37/38 with a 42 waist. For suits I finally just went custom which definitely is the way to go regardless and shopping online at the above has been a godsend.

Best of luck!
posted by Funmonkey1 at 9:14 AM on January 15, 2016

There's also Joseph A Banks. They're always running some sort of sales. My husband (big dude) had to move from a geek to a sales geek position very quickly, and they took care of him.
posted by heathrowga at 9:15 AM on January 15, 2016

Nthing Ralph Lauren. Wait for sales.
posted by rubster at 10:49 AM on January 15, 2016

I'm in the same boat and 90% of my clothing is Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, and Land's End. My personal style is preppy, so I'm not sure how much these recommendations help.
Charles Tyrwhitt is another option, but be prepared to return stuff as the lengths seem inconsistent between cuts.
posted by nulledge at 11:39 AM on January 15, 2016

Eddie Bauer wool dress pants (only available online ) and button down shirts have become my go-to. Hard to find a better mix of quality, fit, and price in my experience.
posted by postel's law at 11:40 AM on January 15, 2016

Seconding the Eddie Bauer pants. The "comfort-waist" is great, and it's worth the extra $5 to get the ones with the rubber band that keeps your shirt tucked in. I go for the relaxed fit, and I'm pretty close to you in height and weight -- if they made pants in 43 waist, I'd get those, but as it is, I get 44 rather than relying on the elastic of the comfort-waist on 42.. though that does work. EB has a few substantial sales throughout the year, so it's worth getting on their email list and getting an EB "Friends" card.

I can't speak for their shirts; I don't need button-downs for my job.
posted by Sunburnt at 12:51 PM on January 15, 2016