Looking to overhaul my wardrobe as a tall 36 year old.
36 yo white male, 6’5” tall, lost weight recently (now 260lbs) and all my clothes have slowly just turned to work clothes which get trashed after a couple years of use. So they are now too big or fucked up from work.
Being a tall guy, sleeve length and pants length is an ongoing issue, and if I don’t buy tall sizes, tshirts, tend to be excessively baggy and collared shirts too short in the sleeve.
The style I tend to like is outdoorsy, surfer brands and skate brands because they tend to be functional, durable and high quality. I don’t go super cheap on clothes, but I don’t want to break the bank, I would rather build a wardrobe up of high quality and long lasting clothes over time, rather than finding some cheap stuff at big name department stores to save money or spending a fortune all in one go on preferable brand named stuff.
Recently ordered some Kuhl brand pants because I get discount and I like the brand. I’m hesitant to try tapered pants because I have fairly big legs in terms of thigh/calf muscles and I would like the trousers to fit with boots if I were to buy some for more street wear purposes, but I may just buy and see, return if needed.
I am thinking of buying some non-work boots, long sleeve collared shirts, Henley’s, more sweaters, shirt jackets and less hoodies, try to wear actual outfits for the day that have good complimenting colors/patterns in footwear as well as clothes.
Size in tshirts: xxl or xlt or xxlt (brand dependent but some XXL or XLT fit perfectly. Carhartt XLT was spot on)
Size in pants: some in 38 feel just right, others I am like Jared from subway. 34” length seems to be decent for me.
Size in hoodies: XXL, XLT OR XXLT.
Shirts length in sleeve tend to be the biggest pain in the ass for me, so leaning on tall sizes for the shirts.
Brands I like: Hurley, vans, Patagonia, prana, carhartt, RVCA.
Anyway, thanks for reading this dissertation on my shitty fashion. I look forward to responses.
37 Replies
Not sure I see a specific question in here?
Typical advice is to collect inspiration for stuff you like and how you'd like to dress. Plenty of that in the #waywt #theme-waywt #👕🗡-vote-in-round-2 and #inspiration channels here.
My other main piece of advice is to go slowly. Your tastes will change, you will make mistakes. Much better to make a mistake buying a couple of items rather than messing up on a huge order.
Congrats on the recomp.
I'd echo the sentiment to go slow and spend some time really narrowing down what you do and don't like, and what areas are most beneficial to update now. (We're headed into fall, you probably don't need to stock up on bathing suits or sandals rn)
It's a good idea to learn your measurements - chest, shoulders, waist, inseam is probably enough for 90% of cases. (pants waist sizes are infamously vanity sized, meaning the actual waist can be several inches different from the labeled size)
Ah yeh deleted it trying to stay in word count: looking for a wardrobe overhaul! Basically advice on how to not be such a mess while having fitting clothes with some element of taste with less body fat.
Thank you. I’ll get to measuring. Make sure you drink plenty of sugar water 😂
"I don't go super cheap on clothes, but I don't want to break the bank".
What's this actually mean in numbers?
Thinking of long sleeve Henleys, chinos, get back into wearing jeans, long sleeve shirts, shirt jackets. Kind of lumber jack hipster vibes with not being too hipster hahaha.
Years ago we would have recommended the Basic Bastard for a place to start 'dressing better', but if you are after a surfer/skater look that's not really in your realm.
Take a look through #waywt #inspiration for some day to day stuff. There's a fit battle competition going on right now that tends to lean more experimental, but some fun stuff to look through as well in https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1289384841346814052
Thanks for asking, also deleted the detail on this staying in word count. $40 is my absolute limit on tshirts, $50 on long sleeve, $60 on collared shirts, $80 for a good pair of jeans or pants if such a thing exists anymore, absolute max $200 for some boots. Probably $200 on jackets, but I’d really like to stay closer to $100. These are my maximums, so trying to stay below these, but would compromise if versatility, durability or if I randomly love the aesthetic.
If anything I’m trying to veer away from the surfer skater look. Getting older so I don’t want to look like a teenager who went to skate shops and picked everything out myself anymore, but don’t want to look like I’m in complete dad mode wearing new balances to mow the lawn 😂
I just like those brands because they tend to fit better and are durable.
I see, I read wrong. Based on the brands you've listed seems like you're in the US too?
Yep.
In Ga, and recently single, think a lot of the ladies like more manly than fashionable around here, I would agree on that too with how I would like to dress. I like to stay a little scruffy in my facial hair/hair, but just don’t want washed out, torn up dri fit shorts/tshirts anymore.
I prefer comfort and practicality over some out-there fashion choices.
I guess my main issues are sizing and cost for a full wardrobe change. So for the cost factor I just need to build to it slowly, but sizing is and always has been an issue in my adult life. Everything is too short or if it isn’t too short it’s baggy.
Id recommend going in-store to try things on to zero in on fit. Then after that I just buy online for convenience
Yea I think you're probably locked into American brands based on sizing. Good thing is it sounds like you might be into some workwear looks... Thinking Carhartt and the like
Plus you can make a shopping list in advance and just be thoughtful on sales - Black Friday coming up for the more expensive stuff. Typically footwear and outerwear, etc
There's quite a bit of workwear-ish, 'adult' dressers around here. People usually aren't shy to share details on their items if you comment on their waywt posts if you find something that you vibe with
Yeh but could that be fashionable? If I could afford it I really like some of the less wacky stuff from Filson. I’ve been dreaming of one of their ridiculously priced wax jackets for a while now hahah. Same for huckberry. Don’t like Eddie Bauer which a lot of people recommend for tall sizing.
Thanks I’ll check it out. New to this discord channel so need to look at the guides and different sections.
Good call. I used to do this sort of thing a lot, I’m out in the country north east of Atlanta far from stores I would usually shop, so that’s another reason my clothes shopping has died down. Maybe I’ll just make a trip into town or find some outlets nearer to here if possible.
You can get good deals second hand if you know your sizing (and with your budget that would probably be my recommendation).
It passed its peak a few years ago but some version of workwear and americana is always skirting around fashion circles.
Agreed, knowing my sizing is the problem. Need to go try on some brands or just order stuff and send it back to find out. I had a note on my iPhone of brands and their sizes that fit but it seems to change from item to item sometimes.
Meh I’m not too bothered about staying in trend, but just want something that looks good that I am comfortable with. I think a blend of smart casual/hipster/workwear/lumberjack is what I would be comfortable in.
City boy in the country or country boy in the city vibes haha
I’m 6’7”, so I know the struggle, I don’t know what your measurements are, but if you’re looking for workwear, I’d take a first look at LL Bean or Duluth, they both sell in tall sizes
True. Duluth is a good shout and I’ve not checked out LL bean yet. Watch out for those low doors!
LC King is another brand that does tall sizes for their jackets all made in the USA
Also, Filson
Never heard of them and American made is definitely what I would look for if I can afford it. Filson is the dream, but work has been rough the last couple years so can’t afford it.
I’m tempted by a nice sweater they have right now for $88
If you’re looking for rock bottom prices with generally acceptable quality, Lands’ End is a good place to look
For sweaters I reccomend looking at Ebay
Cool, I didn’t know they were in the US I’ll check them out. Yeh eBay could be a good shout. Need to learn my sizing by brand first I think.
Lot of tall sweaters that are going for like $30
Cool, good shout.
I would also like some decent fitting and durable basic color tshirts, preferably American made/union made.
Trying not to feed big corporations greed and exporting labor to countries where they can take advantage when possible.
HaveItTall I think has some MiUSA T Shirts made by Bayside
Cool, I’ll give it a look. Someone on Reddit recommended bayside.
What about henleys…any good long sleeve Henley recommendations?
Also need some decent work hoodies. Just plain black, durable. Preferably not Carhartt 😂
I’m not aware of any off the top of my head, All USA Clothing has a Big&Tall sections so I’d check that out
MiUSA for tall sizes is a bit rare to find for anything outside of the most basic of basics
Unless you go looking for vintage stuff on eBay
But don’t do that because I don’t need the competition 😂
Hahhaa not much of a vintage dude so your threads are safe. Just ordered a bayside tee to try out. Need to just find tall friendly brands for what I’m after. Still dreaming of a filson waxed jacket.
One day…one day 😢
You and me both 😔
Seriously…who is buying that stuff and then not working out in the elements. Feel like it’s made for the working man, but priced for the rich.
My brother dropped a pretty penny to get a Filson jacket like ~20 years ago when he was pouring concrete, he still wears it
Buy once, cry once and that jacket will probably go to his kid eventually
Yeh that’s what I hear and why I want one. That price would make me cry for a month though. But I’ve done it for a fancy fjallraven winter parka, but I feel more justified in that because it’s warm.
Huckberry/flint and tinder have a cheaper version that I’ve been considering.
I didn’t even realize Flint and Tinder made tall sizes
Adding that to my list
Yeh they have some nice stuff too
Be sure to check out the various guides on reddit.com/r/tallfashionadvice
You're right at the point where you'll definitely need to buy tall sizes for a lot of things (especially shirts, jackets, and tops), but for some brands you'll still be able to fit standard sizes if you wear an xl or xxl. 38/34 pants is right at the edge of standard sizes as well.
As you're looking through #waywt and #inspiration pay attention to the length of jackets and shirts, and how other people style clothes that are on the shorter side. Being short in the body doesn't always mean it's too short to pull off, sometimes you can style it in a way that makes it look intentional.
Also, I know that you mentioned you're not into vintage clothing--my one argument I think you should consider is that eBay sellers tend to give the actual measurements of their clothes instead of a hypothetical person who would wear it. I've found this has often made it easier to get clothes that actually fit me than buying new.
Thanks for the advice. My problem is being in that in between zone for big and tall and regular sizing. Always seems to be sold out if I do find my sizes too. I’ll give eBay a look seeing as I’m tighter in budget than what I am looking for, probably get some bargains there I imagine! I also need to be measuring myself properly and using size guides rather than just going off basic sizing.
Its me, I steal all the work wear valour and work behind a computer screen