I need some clothes that fit.
August 14, 2008 5:45 PM   Subscribe

Where in Chicago might skinny young fellows find properly-fitting casual pants and jeans?

I'm a skinny skinny dude, and I'm freakin' terrible at shopping. Just about every pair of pants I own is crazy wide in the legs and baggy in the ass and crotch. Like genie pants. I look all hip-y, like, I've got big hips or something, but it's really just pockets and air. Bah.

I'm not lookin' for high-fashion pre-torn hipster threads or anything. Just some jeans, khakis, cords, whatever.
posted by Plug Dub In to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (11 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
I pretty skinny also (6'1" and 150lbs) and until about two years ago was in the same situation.

Although usually targeted at the younger scene, I did a bit of looking up and noticed the H&M at 840 North Michigan Ave has (according to the website) a mens department. I've bought quite a few pairs (most of what i own) of well-fitting pants from them.

Also a lot of my friends swear by Levi's jeans, and I've also had good results at Banana Republic for assorted type of pants.
posted by meowN at 6:00 PM on August 14, 2008


I have friends of all shapes and sizes, and every single one of them has found a flattering pair of Levi's. They sell more than just denim. I loves me some Levi's.
posted by phunniemee at 6:05 PM on August 14, 2008


Response by poster: Ah hah, I was actually at the H&M on State today. They had some jeans that looked like they might be good, but none in stock. I'll have to check the one on Michigan.

I hadn't even thought of Levi's! I'll definitely stop by tomorrow.

Thank you both kindly.
posted by Plug Dub In at 6:16 PM on August 14, 2008


Response by poster: Ha haaa, look what came up when I went to levis.com:

http://i33.tinypic.com/dy38t0.png

God bless America.
posted by Plug Dub In at 6:48 PM on August 14, 2008


I find their pants to be almost too skinny, but I've had good luck with the clothing at American Apparel. (Several stores in Chicago.) The skinny jeans at Express seem not to be quite as skinny as the Levi's, which I find to be too skinny (although I don't much care for the other clothing they carry.)
posted by imposster at 9:02 PM on August 14, 2008


Levi's Slim Straight 514 or Slim Boot 527. Anything at H&M that fits your waist. Seriously. Go try on your pants--your problem is solved.
posted by tsmo at 10:27 PM on August 14, 2008


As another skinny guy (6' 2", 150ish lbs) who's always looking for pants that fit, I'm going to heartily second Levi's, specifically the 501 (with the button fly, they just seem to fit better), and the 514 (their "skinny straight", I believe). Levi's 569 (loose straight) give me the genie-pants effect, too. Run far, far away from anything "loose" or "relaxed"--"skinny"/"slim" is what looks normal on me.

I own a pair of Express M11 Kingston jeans (Express' take on skinny straight), and I second imposster--they're not as slim as the Levi's, but are totally comfortable for everyday. They feel like they run a little short, though. If you want something that would be sort of analogous to a skinny pant on a normal person, try on the American Apparel. They're tight to the point of, ahem, discomfort for me.

And if you can find a pair of khakis that are flattering (they seem way more susceptible to the baggy thigh/crotch than jeans) for under $50, I'd love to hear about it: I've tried Banana Republic, Gap, Express, and Club Monaco (which were nice + they offered free alterations, but they were $130!), not to mention all the department store brands (Dockers, BCBG, Kenneth Cole, etc.) and can't find something that I like. (You, uh, should try all of the above, though, I'm probably just way too picky.)

I'm vaguely ashamed that this is so long. O.o
posted by thack3r at 1:04 AM on August 15, 2008


You've got a hipster bod, go to the hipster stores. This does not you a hipster make (I've got a super skinny son with the same problem). Sorry to be sending you to chain stores, but I have found pants that fit him at Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and H&M. I haven't tried Untitled (do I have the name right?) but my daughter says they're good too. You might also try Viva Vintage on Belmont and Crossroads (there's one in downtown Evanston, not sure about Chicago), but they're resale so you'll have to make multiple efforts as things cycle through very quickly.
posted by nax at 5:56 AM on August 15, 2008


Forever 21 has skinny, skinny pants. They're cheap and pretty low quality but fashionable, and skinny.
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 7:13 AM on August 15, 2008


My husband is 5'9" and like, 125 on a good day. He swears by Levi's jeans and J. Crew for the khakis he wears to work every day.
posted by shopefowler at 7:42 AM on August 15, 2008


Response by poster: H&M on Michigan Ave. was a success! Picked up some nice jeans and a shirt. And some socks. And a hat. Hoorah.

Levi's was a little outta my price range, but they had some really cool stuff, so maybe when I'm rich..

Thanks everybody.
posted by Plug Dub In at 2:25 PM on August 15, 2008


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