Can we talk pants? *Serious*

OK I will preface this all by saying I am a bigger dude (6'3'' ~270lbs) I go to the gym at least 4 times a week but I also enjoy my food, while not a land whale I am definitely larger than average.

I spend at least 10-12 hours a day sitting at my desk. In order to stay comfortable I have to buy pants that are a few waist sizes up. However they are still tight around my quad/thigh's this puts stress on the seams contributing to the issues below.

My issue is I go through about 1 pair of pants per month. This can come from wear (rubbing against the chair) tearing pockets/seams etc.

I have never given much thought into acquiring work clothing. I normally go for whats cheaper compared to what might look/feel better and last longer.

I am wondering if anyone could recommend a good brand or place to pick up some potentially higher quality slacks that would work well on a larger frame. (I live in CA)

 

MTM would be best, you can obviously find really expensive tailors but there are usually mid priced guys who are good. Or go to a Nordstorms and ask the lady in the mens section for help. I used to find Nordstorms had the best help for the price (not cheap but not over the top) and they usually have good in house tailors. Plus the extra you'll pay will easily be offset by not blowing through 13 pairs of pants per year.

I haven't been able to wear off the rack stuff since I was 18 without everything looking like a tent when it fits my shoulders and there are solutions at nearly every price point but you just have to find the local tailors who fit your budget.

 

take your next vacation in Asia. It's a 13 hour flight from CA. Plenty of non-stops. Stop in HK. Go to a tailor -get measured up, choose the material. 2 days later come back for a fit. Go and hang out somewhere else for a few days. Then come back for the final fitting. Fly back to CA. Stuff will come via parcel. Plenty of these guys travel to the US a fair bit with stops in CA where they literally have like a hotel room full of cloth samples you can choose from. They will already have your measurements and will just re-measure you to see if you need alterations.

It's not cheap up front (ie flying to HK), but in the long run will save you lots of hassle and money and its made to measure.

I used to do Asia-Pacific PE (kind of like FoF). Now I do something else but happy to try and answer questions on that stuff.
 

I use a guy that flies in from HK twice a year. I am a shade under 6 feet tall and weigh about 235, so I have the same issue as OP. I bought 5 custom suits late last year, and all of the pants fit perfectly. Before that I had ruined the slacks on all of my off the rack suits. When I played football in college I used to squat a ton, and my legs haven't shrunk since graduation. Unfortunately when you have to buy a waist size 2-4 inches above your actual waist just to fit your thighs, custom really is the only remedy.

I would agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.
 

Rubbing through the thighs? Lululemon isn't just for everyone. Kidding.

But for you, I'd recommend Land's End. On sale/clearance, it's relatively cheap, they have cuts for larger men, and they stand behind their product 100%. It's guaranteed. Period.

http://www.landsend.com/aboutus/values/guaranteed-period/?cm_re=core-_-…

And in my experience, their Customer Service is on point. I called twice--once to retroactively apply a coupon code that I had missed, and another time because USPS damaged [soaked and tore a hole in] the box and I was missing a belt and a shirt from my order. They sent me the items no questions asked. So I have little doubt they'd replace your pants if they wore out prematurely...although the quality is actually very good--better than Banana Republic, J Crew, Express, or any other fast-fashion brand I can think of.

I personally really like their supernatural wool pants (tailored fit, flat front, uncuffed)--great value for the money on sale. Stock up on those during the semiannual events the same way you stock up on Charles Tyrwhitt shirts. Lands End chinos and twill pants offer great value too. For you, I think the traditional fit would work well. Their traditional fit has been MASSIVE on me...like parachute pants.

Good luck.

 

Eligendi dicta qui deleniti eius. Blanditiis qui ratione quidem. Sit consectetur dolor nemo et sequi. Natus quae numquam et neque eius nesciunt. Saepe qui at vitae nihil nihil facere iste est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”