Funny Clothes Dont Fit Size 12 Us

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En español | For years, I produced an annual charity event for which we cajoled over 40 clothing brands — from Ralph Lauren to J.Crew — to donate new men's and women's sportswear, which we'd sell at thrift shop prices and then give our proceeds to charity. We'd be mobbed; Black Friday crazy. But what struck me was that something besides our irresistible markdowns contributed to the sartorial frenzy — the number of shoppers who had no idea what sizes were right for them.

The source of women's confusion was easy for me to understand. When I was fashion director at InStyle magazine, we saw how egregiously labels — both high and low — cheat on women's sizing. In blatantly false attempts at flattery, a dress that should be marked size 12 sports a tag that claims it's an 8, even a 6. And because this industry-wide charade has no standards, one brand's 8 isn't the same as another's. So, while women generally know what looks good on them, they're forced to play trial and error as they go from rack to rack.

For men, however, the problem isn't the manufacturer. It's that most grown men wear clothes that are too big for them. No matter his height, weight, body type or style preferences, almost every guy at our event reached for shirts that could work at a toga party, pants so droopy he might flash his boxer briefs, and suits that could have been stolen from the White House. (I'm stating a fact, not making a political statement. The president's clothes fit horribly.)

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A salesperson arranges clothes in a Bonobos.

Women are usually willing to search. But most guys are lazy shoppers. And if I'm talking about you, listen up!

You can pay $150 for a haircut, finally commit to skin creams, or even seek a dermatologist for a youth-promising treatment or two, but if your clothes hang on you, it's over. Want to look fresh and youthful? Put your best self forward? Then buy clothes that fit your body, not your mind-set. Obviously, too many of you don't know what fits. So, here are a few guidelines to follow:

• Pinch just an inch. When it comes to how shirts fit on the body, pants drape against the thigh, or jackets shape at the waist, if you can pinch more than an inch, keep going down a size until you can't.
• A fitted well-shaped suit will make you appear taller, leaner, more confident. Seeing your reflection might even improve your posture. But rarely does an off-the-rack suit fit perfectly. Use a tailor. Patronize stores that have one on the premises. For updating the clothes in your closet, find a tailor in your neighborhood. Tailoring is not nearly as expensive as you think. Many dry cleaners have one on site. Whatever the extra cost, the results are undeniably worth it.

Getty Images (2): Kirstin Sinclair, Matthew Sperzel

Saad Wadia wears Zara shoes, a Saran Kohli suit, waistcoat, shirt and tie; Edmund Kamara wears a Suitsupply waistcoat, trainers and trousers; Ari'el Stachel in a dark ensemble at Suitsupply during New York Fashion Week.

• If a jacket doesn't fit in the shoulders, don't buy it, because you can't fix it. And if it's in your closet, give it away. It's doing you no favors.
• Most men look best in two-button suits. Double-breasted suits have had a big comeback and can sure be dashing. But you can NEVER wear the jacket open. For that matter, if you are standing up, it's best to keep any jacket buttoned, unless you are thin. An open one adds about 10 pounds to your silhouette.
• Can you find your waist? Good. Well, that's about where you wear your suit and dress pants, as well as chinos. If your middle is larger than you would like, you can go a bit lower, but pants still have to close higher than your hipbone.
• Your pants should stay put without the need of a belt. If they don't, they're too big. Take them in.
• Unless you are preparing to smuggle in your emotional support Chihuahua in your pant legs, fabric should gently hug the top of your butt, graze your thigh and taper slightly as it falls from knee to ankle. If you are more heavyset, then let the leg fall straight from the knee.

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Cashmere sweaters on display at Uniqlo.

• Pick a classic collar, or one that doesn't shorten your neck. Your collar button should close easily. If you think ties choke you, you're wrong. It's not the tie. It's your shirt that doesn't fit.
• T-shirts and sweaters shouldn't be cut like tote bags. Both should have some tapering.
• With sweaters you want comfort, not bulk. Cotton is a great choice for summer. A soft wool (not Shetland: too itchy) for winter. If you can afford cashmere, it offers warmth without weight and feels really good. (However, Uniqlo sells cashmere pullovers in the fall for under $100.)
• Your fitness will influence T-shirt selection. However, sleeves shouldn't flap away from your arm, graphic designs rarely enhance your torso, and wearing witty slogans is funny for about 30 seconds — the first time. Choose solid color cotton tees. Pima cotton makes all the difference. They cost a little more, about $30, but try one from either A/X Armani or Mack Weldon and you'll immediately understand the recommendation.

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• If you shop online, it's best to opt for sites that have brick and mortar extensions.

For example, Bonobos is an excellent online destination, but it has outlets where you can go in, work with a knowledgeable staff who can find your most flattering sizes, and then you're set because sizing is consistent throughout their line. For suits, Suit Supply is such a godsend, it's the sartorially suave Tim Gunn's go-to place for tailored clothing. Italian fabrics crafted in China keep the suit costs reasonable, sizing is across-the-board stable and the tailoring is excellent. Club Monaco and Hugo Boss are go-to brands, too.

Big splurge tip: For those who really want to do it up right, Suit Supply also produces made-to-measure suits for 25 percent the price of what luxury brands charge. I promise, the result is so wonderfully self-congratulatory, no one may see you in dad jeans ever again.

Hal Rubenstein is a founding editor ofInStyleandformer restaurant critic forNew York magazine. He is the author of five books, including100 Unforgettable Dresses.

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Source: https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/style-trends/info-2019/guys-clothes-dont-fit.html

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