Finding the perfect suit can be a challenge, but it becomes even trickier when your weight tends to fluctuate.
Whether you’re embarking on a fitness journey, dealing with natural weight fluctuations, or simply have a body type that changes over time, buying a suit that fits well can seem like an elusive task. However, fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we will navigate the intricacies of purchasing a suit when your weight always changes.
We understand the frustration of investing in a suit only to have it feel loose or snug shortly after. That’s why we’ve compiled expert advice and insider tips to help you make informed decisions and find the right suit for your ever-changing body. From understanding proper sizing and fit techniques to exploring adjustable features and versatile styles, we’ll equip you with the knowledge to navigate the world of suiting with confidence.
Join us as we delve into the art of buying a suit that accommodates your weight fluctuations without compromising on style. Discover the secrets to choosing the right fabrics, exploring adjustable waistbands, and utilising tailoring services to ensure your suit fits impeccably at every stage. Get ready to step into any occasion with a suit that not only enhances your appearance but also provides comfort and confidence, regardless of the changes in your physique.
In This Story…
Enlist The Services Of Good Tailor
And we don’t mean one of those generic mall alteration shops to whom a hem adjustment is the extent of their skills. Tailors (the good ones) can do almost anything.
They can loosen tight pants, tuck in a billowing jacket, and perform other magical alterations that conceal blowouts or help you look trim after a period of weight loss.
It doesn’t cost much, and everyone notices the benefits. My tailor has seen me through a succession of big weekends, sporting injuries, and trendy diets. If you strike gold, cling on for dear life. Your fatter self will thank you.
Here are Sydney’s best tailors and Melbourne’s best tailors to get you started.
Expensive Suits Aren’t Necessarily The Best Suits
We love premium suiting and think most of our should readers too. But if your weight is scattered like a Sunday morning come-down, you should avoid luxury fabrics and settle for something a little more modest.
It’s no secret that luxury cloths – some superfine merino wools, mohair, silk-linen blends – drape beautifully and are soft and breathable. They feel like pyjamas (the good kind) and make you look like a million bucks. But they aren’t built to withstand a flogging. And we hate to say it gents, but you can’t hide weight fluctuations with luxury fabrics. They will rip, split, or tear before they stretch.
Instead, think about more affordable wool-cotton or even (gasp) wool-elastane suits that have a bit more stretch, and can accommodate a few extra grams of weight either way. If your bodyweight has plans of its own, Brioni or Zegna shouldn’t be on your mind (but a gym membership? Why not).
Measure Your Body Mass Changes
We’re serious about this one. Knowing the ups and downs of your body gives you a bit of predictive power. You might be one of the lucky few. You know you stack it on in winter or during silly season (despite your meagre efforts to walk to work). Or you might get lean for footy preseason and then spectacularly blow out after finals, I you get that far. Either way, you know when the weight comes on, and when it (hopefully) comes off.
If you’re lucky enough to identify a pattern and read your body, use it to your advantage. Plan your purchases around the changes. It’s not quite clairvoyance, but it’ll help you make informed choices about when to buy a suit, and when to spend or save your money elsewhere.
Don’t Be Overly Optimistic When Purchasing Your Suit
At the end of the day, clothing purchases should be realistic choices. By that, we mean that you shouldn’t buy a suit that’s a bit snug, expecting it to fit down the track when you stop being a fat f***.
Too often we see guys buy a suit – for an upcoming wedding, the races, an interview – that is tighter than a ballet costume, with a vague promise to go back to the gym or get their nutrition in order. It rarely happens.
We mentioned the lucky few who know how their body adds and sheds unwanted kilos. But most of us aren’t quite there yet. If it doesn’t fit now, chances are, it never will. Buy what fits at the time and remember what we said about finding a good tailor.