Fashion Eye for the Chubby Guy

[bkdelong]

Well, in a little less than a month I will be at a very large bookstore in a very large shopping mall assisting to read the last few chapters of Order of the Phoenix aloud, judge the costume contest, and help count down to the release of the 6th Harry Potter book.

While I'm no Jim Dale, (who will be at a Barnes & Noble in Union Square), I will potentially draw some media attention including the possiblity of doing one of the first reviews of the book.

Since this will at a minimum result in some photographs and potentially even some broadcast media coverage, I'd like to look my best. While I have no time to wrangle a "Fab Five" visit, I'd love some advice from my friends about how to make a big, cuddly, Hagrid-esque bear look dapper.

One of the things that makes me different than other large men is my gynecomastia caused by my heavy weight. My large chest pokes out in the wrong places and it's hard to pick an outfit to make me look more barrel-chested. I'm wondering if I need to wear a corset or something, *blush*.

I've hear things like black and vertical stripes but I'd love advice for shorts....since I have a bit of a "big man's waddle" and because it may be very hot that weekend. I also need to take into consideration that I may wear some sort of wizarding costume since I will be an active participant in the store's activities.

Advice for a polo-style collared shirt would be nice, or a button down. I think suspenders make me look better on the whole than a belt but sometimes they slip to either side of my chest or right on top of it and further accentuate it.

Recently, I've looked pretty handsome at my brother's wedding but I don't want to have to wear a tux to get that effect. I don't want to change who I am or how I look, I just want to dress for my weight and size. There's being "fat and happy", (though I have been trying very hard to lose weight), and then there's just being oblivious and disgustingly nauseating. Help!

Comments

[ashtur.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'd go in the opposite direction and think robes. Assuming the cloth is fairly "breathable", they aren't as hot as you think.

[bkdelong.livejournal.com]

That's prolly going to be the plan for the costume but there may be times I'm filmed in "nice clothes" or "casual clothes". Hence a button-down or shorts/short-sleeved shirt ideas.

[ashtur.livejournal.com]

Ah, well, for something like that I've always had good luck with black dockers and a fairly simple button down short sleeve shirt... either a solid color, or white with stripes.

[prettyannamoon.livejournal.com]

Dude! You should definitely take a Hagrid costume - that shirt you wore for Halloween 2003, a big shaggy vest (you can find outrageous fake fur at fabric stores, and it usually doesn't have to be hemmed), and some brown pants or shorts. For "normal person" wear, maybe a vertically striped button-down in blue or green and some nice khakis?

[bkdelong.livejournal.com]

I should have talked with doctoraicha before she went off to camp. I tried doing the Hagrid thing before I met you all and I looked like some parody of a mountain man.

If I do it again it will be sans fake beard and hair and with clothes that fit ;) I also don't want it to look cobbled together from various mismatched parts.

I love my sky blue button-downs though I've never seen striped ones.I have a few khakis but I really need to figure out what I should be looking for when I seek them out. Oh Trinny and Susannah, where are you when I need you?!?

[dancewithme482.livejournal.com]

There are definitely vertically striped shirts out there. I don't know how big you are, but a good friend of mine is 6'4" like 240... so I'm going off my knowledge of dressing him.

If you are into blue, I would try to find something with a white background and several shades, one of which should be pretty dark, and widths of blue vertical stripes. I'm not terribly familiar with men's stores, but if all else fails, and they carry your size, check out Express Men. I know it's all young and trendy and metro, but you'll end up with some really nice stuff.

As for the pants, make sure that they are FLAT FRONT. No pleats. Repeat after me: No Pleats! Flat front and straight leg, so that you get a nice, clean line down your leg. If you are having trouble finding a good fit, and don't mind going a little bit casual, try a cargo pant- they're pretty good about camoflaging odd body shapes, but be careful not to add bulk onto already larger parts of your body.

Make sure that you always fit the biggest part of your body. Pants can always be hemmed, and shirt sleeves can always be rolled up- which is very trendy nowadays. If you really are a tough fit in the chest area, think about taking the shirt to a tailer. It will not be that expensive, less then $20 probably and you will end up having at least one shirt in your closet that fits you really really well.

And that's all the fashion advise I have for today. I hope that helps!

[bkdelong.livejournal.com]

Great! Thanks for the advice. I'm wider and shorter than your friend - 5'10", 300ish. *sigh*

[floppsy.livejournal.com]

Uuuum ... weeeell ... since you asked ... & it's actually men's fashion week (spring '06) in Milan right now, so I'm all updated on the men's side of summer chic ....

Ok, the basic part is cut. You've ID'd your body type & to look taller/slenderer you must, must, must go with a German make suit ...

Now I used to think this was silly, but Mark is uber "big-boned" (read that as a major tummy & chin, IOW from his head to his pelvis he's a fat-ass like Cartman, & yes his butt is wide too from extreme amounts of non-stop tasty treats, buuut he has massive leg muscles from bicycling & walking) & everytime he wore Italian, English or even Americanized versions of English cut suits (like Brooks Brothers), no matter if it was his size or even bigger, he ended up looking dumpy, shoulders hung wrong, the jackets just never closed right even if they were double breasted & the pants were always weirdly tight on the calf & thigh ... but when he started wearing German (Hugo Boss in specific) it was an amazing transformation. I think they're cut, along with most other German lines, with the image of making Helmet Kohl look tall, thin & studly -- since most of the older more prosperous German, Dutch, Russian customers sort of like like ol' Helmet more then a swinging emo kid wearing D&G & Bally.

Also, you want to wear a black tee-shirt under a pinstriped suit (it can be narrow or wide stripes, but the stripes add depth & keep you from looking too much like a floating head in case the background blends into the suit due to lighting), & also you should leave the jacket unbuttoned buuuuut tuck in the tee & wear a plain black belt ... dunno why but this ALWAYS thins a person out in pics. And the beard will defenitely even the line out & make you look very trendy yet chic yet studious (think Apple-esque ... & not like Gwynyth's sadly named offspring)

Ooooh, & whatever you do, no button down shirt & tie ... it just never lays right, especially if they take pics while you're sitting &/or moving &/or at an angle.

Buuuut, aside from all this, if you want to loose 5-10 lbs ... which is generally just really water or I would sooooo not even mention it since that amount of real weight would be waaaaay unhealthy in that amount of time (see your lectures sorta sunk in, kinda ...) ... I would suggest doing the Perricone version of the Atkins. If you want LMK & I'll send it to you ... it totally does make you feel better, pics up your mood & energy levels & is actually uber healthy (it's salad, veg, steamed & poached wild alaskan salmon, lots of water, green tea & multi-vitamins). Do it for 4 weeks & you really will look different skin-wise & it'll give your body a nice summer detox so that you ca start that exercise, walking regime back up that you talked about starting again, feeling all refreshed!

Oooohhh & MAJOR CONGRATS on the reading!!!!!!!! I don't completely understand what it is, but I don't completely understand lots of stuff ... but I totally want to know how it goes ... so post, post, post ... & if you want anymore fashion help- just give a holler (it's like 1 of the only things I'm really good at that doesn't leave me feeling like I've done something totally gross & icky)!!!!

[bkdelong.livejournal.com]

I knew I could count on you for style tips. Did a Google search on "German cut" with no results. Not sure if I have the budget for a closet of Hugo....not everyone is like you and Mark: CEO & Chair of their own company. ;)

I like the tip about the black t-shirt and pinstriped shirt but if I'm dressing up, I rarely wear a suit unless I'm going to kiekre's grandmothers where we often see the Darieners and Stamfordites who have "retired" from the New York scene.

I tend to look best in darker colors. Button-down wise, I look best in dark blue. In Pantone-speak that would include 2728C, 293C etc. I tend to prefer natural colors and pigment-dyed clothes as well - the forest greens, the berry reds, (Pantone 7434C and 7435C), goldenrod, olive drab...

It's a major catch-22 because I overheat very easily and don't really sweat so I can't disperse. It can take me 3-4 hours of being inside to cool back to room temperature. Otherwise, I literally need a cold shower or have to stand in front of an AC. White/light t-shirts show my volumnious chest and its...features. I did hear a suggestion to wear a t-shirt and a vertically-striped button-down shirt over it. Maybe that';s the route I should go.

So re: no tie with a button-down shirt. Are you suggesting I go open-collared button-down and suspenders or belt and jacket?

As far as Perricone - how does he differ from the South Beach diet? I really liked the idea of eating good fats & good carbs. Eating the whole grains, low fat dairy, fruit low in natural sugar, veggies high in fiber and natural peanut butter didn't make me feel like I was injesting unnaturally genetically modified food or formerly-natural food run through some massive chemical processing. The food you listed sounds intriguing. Send it my way.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice!

[floppsy.livejournal.com]

I knew I could count on you for style tips. Did a Google search on "German cut" with no results. Not sure if I have the budget for a closet of Hugo....:snipity:... I like the tip about the black t-shirt and pinstriped shirt but if I'm dressing up, I rarely wear a suit unless I'm going to kiekre's grandmothers where we often see the Darieners and Stamfordites who have "retired" from the New York scene.

ok, so how about start with a simple, basic suit or just pants & blazer if you really don't wear suits, (so you can have lots of alternate uses) & see if you like it ... also there's a huuuge sale now -- something like 30-40% off -- so if you like something & it's classic it's a good long term investment ;~))))

I tend to look best in darker colors. Button-down wise, I look best in dark blue. In Pantone-speak that would include 2728C, 293C etc. I tend to prefer natural colors and pigment-dyed clothes as well - the forest greens, the berry reds, (Pantone 7434C and 7435C), goldenrod, olive drab...It's a major catch-22 because I overheat very easily and don't really sweat so I can't disperse. It can take me 3-4 hours of being inside to cool back to room temperature. Otherwise, I literally need a cold shower or have to stand in front of an AC. White/light t-shirts show my volumnious chest and its...features. I did hear a suggestion to wear a t-shirt and a vertically-striped button-down shirt over it. Maybe that';s the route I should go.

Gotcha! I think 80% of guys I know have this over-heat problem (especially when you throw humidity into the mix) ... easy stylish solution are 'under-armor' t-shirts (sold at all sports stores for like only 30-35$, sometimes less during sales). Tons of my friends swear by it when they need a plain black t-shirt for dressing up in summer (& they actually make them in tons of colors you mentioned you like grey, charcoal, midnight & all sorts of different blues). Looks JUST like a high priced designer jersey t-shirt buuuuut it's an uber perspiration whisking sports shirt ... you'll never overheat & then chill again & no sweat splotches ;~))))

So re: no tie with a button-down shirt. Are you suggesting I go open-collared button-down and suspenders or belt and jacket?

I'd say belt, jacket, t-shirt ... buuuut (this is the really important part) only if you're comfortable in it! This is all about you & looking good is 99% being happy with what you're wearing -- other 1% is not tripping & sprawling on your face with cameras around (uuuh, never mind, I'll share another time ::G::)

As far as Perricone - how does he differ from the South Beach diet? I really liked the idea of eating good fats & good carbs. Eating the whole grains, low fat dairy, fruit low in natural sugar, veggies high in fiber and natural peanut butter didn't make me feel like I was injesting unnaturally genetically modified food or formerly-natural food run through some massive chemical processing. The food you listed sounds intriguing. Send it my way.

He's actually my dermatologist ... his 'diet' has nothing to do really with loosing weight, but detoxing your insides so your skin clears up -- & I remember that you mentioned that your skin was acting a little iffy, so I thought this might be double-duty good since there's generally (99.9%) also weight loss & tons of bloat goes away, but that's just a side benefit to awesome skin & tons of energy. Anyhooo, I'm digging through my old mail (had him do a diet for my dad a few months back) & I'll mail it when I find it ASAP!!! I think he also put out a book ... but if I can find the diet it will save you 15$, though if he writes like he talks he's funny ...

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice!

Totally my pleasure ... & I want pics. Lots of pics .... ooooh, & I called Boss & they have a store right near you (even if you want to just go in & check it out & walk out laughing):

BOSS MAN Shop ... Boston, MA
Phone:+1.617.266.7492
Copley Place Mall
100 Huntington Ave. Suite D-19 Ground Floor
Boston, MA

ooooh & I'm back in NYC again till Saturday morning, so if you need any advice just give a holler ... & then I'll be on elyn@tmail.com if you need me till August ... did I mention I want pics??? Mostly of Will, but you too ;~))))

[bbennett.livejournal.com]

You did look great in the tux! My first thought was that you'd look nice in a white button-front shirt - not a button-down work collared-version, but a looser cut (slightly blousy), cotton or even linen (untreated linen will wrinkle, although a lot of folks recognize it as such) with a pair of khakis (pleated front probably works best on you, right?). White's a good color for you, and a benefit is that if you overheat (which I tend to do, in just about every situation), any damp marks would be less likely to show on film/in photos. There's nothing wrong with wearing a girdle or an exercise-type top (a gymnast-fit tank?) if it would make you more comfortable - under a T-shirt, it would be discreet), although be warned that it would likely make you warmer (and less comfortable :).

[bkdelong.livejournal.com]

I'd love to wear white because I get SO HOT. Maybe a blousier shirt would work. I just need to find whereto buy them. Luckily I don't really leave sweat marks on my clothing, unfortunately I don't really sweat.

I don't think pleated fronts work for me and pants. It tends to make me bulge more than I should in certain areas and while I have decently normal, muscular legs, I have thick thighs.

Thanks!

[harpinred.livejournal.com]

What about a Poets shirt? Something like this
http://www.leatherworks.com/poet_shirt.htm

I know that Folkware has a pattern for one as well if either you or Kriky sew. This would be loose, but comfortable and nice looking to boot. It would also lend well to the whole wizarding theme. If you bought/made one in a heavier linnen/cotton blend, it would still be cool, but minimize certian features :) Also, black linnen is still pretty cool if you decided to go that route.

This would also tie in to a Hagrid look if you wished to go from more formal to costumed. You might want to do some reasearch on Renaissance costumes to find other options. My dad has shirt he got from a fair years ago, and he still wears it. He is on the thin side, but he also shares your condition, and the shirt looks really good on him.

Oh! My neighbor called me to tell me that she put a package from Amazon by my door as the delivery person had left it on my driveway. I can't wait to see what it is!!!! :D