How to Buy Suits When You're Out of Shape?

So I am starting to get to the point in my career where I believe how I look has a significant impact on my opportunities for advancement, etc. Unfortunately, that has coincided with some weight gain, which I am trying to reverse but that takes some time. At the moment, I am a bit overweight (5'9", ~185), but it isn't as though I look inherently unpresentable. The issue I have is that I need to buy a few high quality suits that actually fit properly. I have seen plenty of overweight people (even some rather obese people) on Wall Street with decent or very nice suiting that fits properly. How exactly does one make this happen? Can it be done without going bespoke? Is my only option to go paleo and then just trek over to Nordstrom's in 6 weeks to get something off the rack?

5 Comments
 
 

Are you ~6ft+? I agree about a 5lbs range is generally a good rule of thumb, but the fact that you could swing 175-200 makes me think you are a little bit taller.

For the poster who is 5'9, I'd say it's tough but you really do need to commit to a weight range and stick to it if you want to get nicer suits. If you lose too much weight they can't even continue to bring it in and you'll just have to buy brand new again.

 

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