At 6 feet 6 inches, I’m tall enough that normal people clothes don’t fit me. The Big and Tall stores seem to be extremely focused on the “big” part of their commitment, so I’d have to gain a hundred pounds to get anything there. Even then, the fashion at those stores is either “Pavarotti plays badminton” or “It’s EATIN’ TIME!” They don’t really stock anything that fits me physically, socially or emotionally. There’s also the Land’s End type catalogues which offer “tall” sizes and while the medium-tall fits me pretty well, the fashion just screams “DAD COMIN!” Yes, I know I’m a father, but I would prefer people discover that when they see my children, not my “Sportsman Sweater Fleece Half-Zip.” Yes, that’s a real product, and I’m sure it’s a hit on casual Fridays at the Allstate Insurance Corporate offices. American Apparel also offers a tall size in their t-shirts. Unfortunately, I think it’s some kind of cruel joke- I got one and it came half way down my thigh. You would have to be 7’6″ for this shirt to fit at all. Oh, you want a TALL shirt? Here you go, Manute (click it. I was once called that in high school.)
There’s some conspiracy by short powerful people to prevent tall people from being cool. Like we’ve already been blessed with height, and therefore have no claim on comfort or style. Generally the length of an XL shirt is fine, but the girth allows room for at least two more dudes wearing football pads. Then, when you wash a shirt, it shrinks in length but not in width, so after a month, I’m wearing a cloth box that barely covers my navel. Unless you want to see a grown man doing laundry and listening to NPR in a “Vixen World Tour 1989″ belly shirt, don’t come to my house tomorrow morning around 10:30am.
“But Jason, I’ve seen plenty of very tall NBA stars who look very fashionable.” They have their clothes custom made. Plus, I disagree with you, they all look ridiculous in their double breasted blazers and parachute pants. If you see those guys in their houses when they’re relaxing, they’re always wearing sweat pants and tank tops. That’s my other option for clothing: “The off duty athlete.” At 39 years old, I’m not going to walk around my town wearing knee length nylon shorts and a practice jersey of a dude 20 years my junior. I don’t play basketball, so I’m not wearing those clothes, just like I’m not prancing around in a headband and spandex (I don’t care for cardio salsa classes at the YMCA).
So I do the only thing I can. I wear clothes that are too short. I try to wear cool belts, keep my pants at waist level and my pubic line neatly trimmed. I’m not TRYING to wear my shirts like Robert Plant or that dude from the Black Crowes, it just so happens that’s the only choice I’ve been given. If you want to see me in a shirt that fits that I also like, sign my petition asking Motley Crue to make their next concert t-shirt in a medium-tall.
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I hear you all- I am 6'7" and about 240. I, too would never set foot in a big and tall store to save my life- I would rather wear a potato sack than the garbage they sell in those places. I have found luck at certain stores and certain brands that I know fit and are stylish. Namely, I almost always have luck at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. Also, Nordstrom.com carries a lot of designer brands in tall sizes. In some brands I don't even need to buy tall sizes. Faconnable is one brand that fits me perfectly in terms of button-down shirts. I buy their XL Tall, and it works very well. Their Club fit runs more slim, and they make M and L Tall as well, I believe. In their "classique" fit, I can wear a regular XL as they run long. Also, Tailorbyrd is another brand that runs long, and I can wear a regular XL. Both brands are fairly expensive though, so once you have your size down, you can usually find deals online on 6pm.com or other sale sites and on the Tailorbyrd or Faconnable website. 6PM is a great website, once you have found brands and sizes that work- everything is name brand and usually about 50% off of what it would be normally. Also, Quicksilver shirts run long as well, I have found. Howe shirts run long as well, in most of their styles- in T Shirts and button-down. Typically, I can wear their button-down shirts in a regular XL. Diesel and Seven jeans fit me well too. Even at 6'7" I can wear the Diesel Quratt and Larkee in 36X34, as their jeans run long. Many fits of Seven jeans run about 35." The Seven Austyn is a 36" length and are really comfortable and a good cut. Let me know how I can help, I would never hesitate to assist another fellow tall person in need.
Ahhh, we feel ya. FireMan is 6'7". Usually he resorts to wearing XXL shirts, or an XL Long of certain brands.
His captain keeps telling him to tuck in his shirt, and complaining about how he looks in his uniform, but… well, when they only order stock sizes and refuse to special order a long-length shirt? He finally went to the chief and told him that either they paid to special order uniforms for it, or the other officers needed to lay off. That finally seemed to do the trick.
My baby brother (he's 19) is 6'9" and buys his clothes from King Size Direct. The shirts are actually long enough, the pants are long enough, it's amazing. He can even get his size 17 shoes there. Hope this helps!
http://www.kingsizedirect.com/Big-and-Tall-Top-Se…
Knowing that you are melanin-challenged makes the Manute thing is one of the best high school digs I've ever heard. What are you, his photo-opposite?
Thanks for the laughs- I'm a regular reader!!
I'm a 6' 6" father of 3 daughters. I'm often reminded by them and my wife that my almost 100% Eddie Bauer "tall" wardrobe leaves me, well, fashion challenged. All these years I've been told it's my fault. Thank you for helping me feel better. The next time I sit down to watch Project Runway with my family I will hold my head high.
and how come they dont make "tall man ties" – ties that are long enough to be able to have it reach the waistline but still enable you to tuck the thin end in to the back loop?
Oh btw, hilarious blog! I am big fan now! Thanks for making me laugh!
American Apparel Summer Tshirts are longer but not to you knees long. American Eagle and J Crew are also good for there long sizes. My husband orders the American Apparel summer t's in bulk out of dear they will stop making then
You are "Right On" with every aspect of clothing. I have the same problems and absolutely "HATE" clothes shopping. As you already know, being tall does have its advantages until you have to buys clothes. An average plain white shirt with no designs costs around $50 maybe even more depending if its a known designer. Though I've played my fair share of basketball in college and still play, I'm far from a NBA Player. And I wear sweatpants and t-shirts majoriy of the time, because I'm always dressed in slacks and a over priced shirt 5 days a week. And the NBA Player's with their Pajama suits, it seems like they took Wallpaper and had someone make them a suit.
Like I said being tall has its advantages especially when you're in a Supermarket. Because the short Senior Citizen women that go food shopping love finding me.
Thanks for telling our story.
We could easily take over the world. You realize that, right?
Oh MY GOODNESS! I am ROLLING over here!!! My DH is 6'6" and we DAILY have this conversation. Sad for him he just hit the 1/2 century mark feels a quarter of a century but is only finding options for 3/4 of a century…feelin your pain! :)
Nordstroms.com macys.com Oldnavy.com and randomly jcp.com will have something that is actually fashionable….and in MT and LT (just look. What could it hurt?)
Both my husband and my son are big and tall. They refuse to wear stuff from the big and tall store….so I've gotten creative.
Good luck. (And I'm posting to you because my husband doesn't have a clue where his clothes come from. He could care less, he just wants to look good!)
Okay, my husband is 6'6" and 180 lbs, so we feel your pain. We get lots of stuff from gap.com in MT or LT. Also, take a look at http://www.rochesterclothing.com/store/en_US/inde…
they carry more designer type stuff, and you can sort by size. They dont carry a lot of MT, but lots of good LT.
P.S. all the XLT stuff that looks like maternity wear on him, was great for when I was in my 3rd trimester with triplets.
Omg. Manute. Sooooo glad I clicked it! You are hilarious!
Uhhhh….casual male? Nope. Not unless you have a 40 inch waist or greater. I'm 6'8" and about 220, so I know where you're coming from. So called "tall" shirts fit like a pup tent they are so wide. I found your blog through a tall blog from Longshot Apparel, where I get some amazing shirts! Also, my wife found extra tall jeans for me at, of all places, The Buckle. I refuse however, to wear any gold embossed dragon shirts from there…even if they fit!
I'm 6'7" and 220, and I also have tall jeans from Buckle. I was so happy to find them!
At Longshot Apparel we believe that you don't have to be big to be tall! http://www.longshotapparel.com. Hilarious post btw!
I have two shirts from them, check out their web site, it will make you laugh at how they describe their sizing. Read the reviews too, no need to order something one size bigger because it will be too long…their sizes are true to the long armed, slim/athletic person. I'm 6'5" and 220 lb ex college athlete, and its about time i found a European cut shirt that fits the sleeve length for my gorilla length arms and broad shoulders!
did u find anything, Good?
Oldnavy.com. Medium tall sizes!
Also petite sizes for the shorties like me, who also have trouble finding clothes that fit.
Seriously! I am petite!! Not 80! I'm not ready for Alfred Dunner yet!
Seriously Kristin? "…a Batman shirt so that he and my 4 yr old son can match" just screams cool. I love all the helpful and supportive mom's on this site. Greatness.
When u are a kid and ur dad is as tall as my husband the kid believes u r Batman! If u dont get that it was a joke……
My husband, who is also 6' 6" buys almost all of his clothes from the KingSize catalog. They aren't super stylish, but they have decent basics – http://www.kingsizedirect.com/
I get some stuff at Duluth Trading that fits real well. Six foot eight inches here. Carhart tall sizes require wishful thinking to fit. http://www.rochesterclothing.com often fits and they offer tailor services. King Size is a bit bland, don't know about the fits.
My Dad always bought from Eddie Bauer…he was 6ft 5
Banana Republic works for my husband, but he's 29 not 39.
http://www.casualmale.com/store/en_US/index.jsp
I guess I am here to save you! Look at casual male XL, they make all the "cool" shirts for tall and big guys! My husband has several old concerts T's from here, along with a Batman shirt so that he and my 4 yr old son can match. We haven't bought jeans there, but we have bought quite a few pairs of pj shorts to wear to bed because they are hard to find in his size. They do also carry a lot of Nautica, athletic shirts, movie screen prints and throw back T's. Being in your 30's is so confusing when it comes to dressing because you are someone's parent, but you still feel like your 22 inside.
Casual male!!!!!! You're kidding. Ok, I'll look
No offense, but please don't go to Casual Male! My fiance is 6'5 at 215. He has a long torso wears a LT. It is near impossible to shop for him at a regular store. I am a clothing designer, so fit & design is very important to me. We have discovered that gap.com , bananarepublic.com, oldnavy.com, ae.com (american eagle), Nordstrom.com, & jcp.com are the only places that carry tall sizes & not fit like a garbage bag. Sometimes you will have luck with American Apparel if the cut is off spec. But most times it is fitted & short.