Dress up a skinny dude!

March 14, 2006 5:49 AM

Help a skinny guy get dressed!

Im skinny, and quite lanky, so i have a problem finding clothes that look good on me. Shirts and stuff usually arent too much of a problem, but trousers are a pain because I end up looking even skinnier, apart from with jeans (maybe because the fabric is thicker?). My legs are stupidly skinny and tend to look skinnier in "work" trousers as the fabric always seems to be thinner.

Whats a guy to do where he's required to wear something that looks bad on him, and still look smart?

I start a new job on th 27th, and need to wear trousers, but I dont want to look dorky.

posted by lemonfridge to clothing, beauty, & fashion (17 comments total)

More expensive "designer" clothes will always be cut better and will fit someone with a small frame properly as long as you buy the correct size. Fitted shirts will usually make a "lanky" person look smarter than some sort of billowing tent-esque £9 thing.

For trousers it depends on what exactly your dress code is. There are plenty of thick trousers that can still be smart - wool, moleskin, canvas - cut like proper dress trousers and in muted colours or black. I know Next in the UK usually have a decent range of smart trousers in materials other than basic cotton but that are still acceptable for wearing in the workplace.
posted by fire&wings at 6:03 AM on March 14, 2006

I'm in the UK too, Next tend to generally sell average sized clothes and I found it frustrating, however if you speak to a salesperson in store they will help you pick out slim fit shirts and clothing that looks pretty reasonable.

Also, make sure you try the stuff on and get a second opinion if you can! You'll be much more confident that way, I used to be a typical male shopper - "That'll do" and half my clothes end up hung up in my closet.

Secondly, depending on your own personal style, consider layering your clothes to bulk up, like a vest or slim t-shirt underneath, and wear maybe some neck/wrist accessory, good cufflinks and a classy watch (I always get asked about my watch which displays primarily only the minutes, and yet it was only £30 from Next!) - depending on context.

H&M also have slim fit shirts, River Island less so in my experience. Good luck! :)
posted by rc55 at 6:25 AM on March 14, 2006

Next tend to be a bit large, even their smaller sizes. Topman sell XS (Extra Small) sizes which fit me nicely, but trousers are still a problem.

As i said, the top half of me is fine, its my skinny sparrow legs that give my problems.
posted by lemonfridge at 6:40 AM on March 14, 2006

Flat front trousers. Don't buy pleated pants.
posted by Pollomacho at 7:06 AM on March 14, 2006

Not to reinforce stereotypes or anything, but clothing made for gay men looks much better on us tall skinny guys. I've found this is especially true when it comes to pants.
posted by nebulawindphone at 7:18 AM on March 14, 2006

lemonfridge: how tall are you?
posted by rc55 at 7:41 AM on March 14, 2006

about 5'8, quite long legs.
also, 30" waist, 38" chest
posted by lemonfridge at 7:50 AM on March 14, 2006

See also
posted by knave at 7:52 AM on March 14, 2006

I have a tall thin friend who always looks great in Benneton's suits and dresspants. Is there a Benneton or Sisley near you you could check out?
posted by occhiblu at 8:33 AM on March 14, 2006

occhiblu, do you mean Benetton? Doesnt look like they actually do suits, but they do have a store near me, and im in that area this week as well.

I think i've hatched a plan; My girlfriends cousin works in a Zara store, and he's gay (just sayin', not stereotypin') and very stylish. I might go and kidnapp him for an afternoon as he has a very similar build to me.
posted by lemonfridge at 8:43 AM on March 14, 2006

Yes, I mean Benetton. I am forever misspelling that company name.

They were more casual/evening suits, if that makes sense -- not sure I'd wear them to an investment banking job. But they had many of them, and many separates as well.
posted by occhiblu at 8:53 AM on March 14, 2006

What Pollomacho said: No pleats. Ever.

Also, try women's pants. Your mileage will vary, but teh ladiez section will often have slimmer stuff. If you're a fashion newbie, you may want to take a consultant (friend) as the wild and wooly world of women's wear can be daunting for a lad just starting out.

Kidnapping a stylish friend sounds like a great plan. Men need to consult with each other more about this kind of thing.
posted by drewbeck at 9:52 AM on March 14, 2006

Have you thought of having some of your existing wardrobe which fits your job's dress code tailored professionally? A good tailor can do wonders.

My husband is hard to fit and routinely takes both slacks and shirts to the tailor. The work is quite reasonable and the resulting fit is perfect. If you don't know a tailor in your area, ask the folks at your local dry clean shop. They can make recommendations.
posted by onhazier at 9:55 AM on March 14, 2006

Funny, I was going to suggest pleated trousers because I think they accentuate the waist/belly.

Best off going to a decent department store with salespeople who can help you find something that fits you. If appearance is really important at your new job, buy the best you can afford. Better to have one or two pair of good trousers than several cheaper, not as good ones.

For the love of God, don't buy women's trousers. They won't fit you in the crotch or hips. They'll be the wrong length (seems like you're long waisted) as clothing manufacturers seem to think that every woman is the same height and with the same length leg. (Women's clothing is proportioned either petite, average, or tall.) I'm 5'8" with long legs, and have to buy tall jeans to get the correct length but the waistband comes up nearly to my chest.) Also, women's trousers don't have functional pockets. [/rant]
posted by luneray at 10:27 AM on March 14, 2006

Also, try women's pants.

just so you know, the fly may be on the opposite side on women's pants, and other peope might notice this. and as luneray says, they probably won't fit you right anyway.
posted by clarahamster at 2:00 PM on March 14, 2006

think i'll be avoiding womens pants. i cant imagine them looking very good anyway.
posted by lemonfridge at 2:07 PM on March 14, 2006

H&M are good for the skinny, if you're after cheap stuff. High street-wise, Reiss do pretty nice stuff, and their trousers fit me (six foot one, eight stone, basically look like a skeleton).

If you're after something fancy try Gaultier or Hedi Slimane. (My Gaultier suit jacket is pretty much the only garment I've ever tried on off the peg and found to fit perfectly.)

Also, alterations are dirt cheap, so if you find something close enough, just take it to the tailors.
posted by jack_mo at 6:28 AM on March 16, 2006