From: karl@isgtec.com (Karl Sewlochan)
Newsgroups: misc.fitness
Subject: Summary on Sports Jackets and Suits
Date: 11 Jan 93 22:33:16 GMT
Distribution: ont
Organization: ISG Technologies Inc., Mississauga Ontario


G'Day,

A little while ago I posted a request for ideas on where to get
sports jackets and suits for bodybuildres.  Thanks for all
the replies.  Unfortunately (fortunately?) the need for a new
suit has changed so I won't be putting this info to the test
for a little while.  When I do I'll post any recommendations that
I find.

So without further delay, here's the summary.

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Jos. A. Banks (a US mens clothier chain) sells some suits
in seperates - jacket and pants independently.  They also
sell some models in an 8" drop.  They have an 800 number
that you can get from information.

Tailoring should then be normal / minimal.

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There should be lots of places, but you may not find them at Wards
or Sears or someplace that common. Decent men's stores, even menswear
outlets often carry "olympian cut" suits.

A typical suit has something like a four inch drop -- four inches from
the chest size to the waist size. guys with a developed upper body and
no beer gut often need a larger drop -- six to eight inches. Measure
the difference between you chest and waist (if you don't already know)
and you'll know the size you need.

In my case, I wear a 46" coat and a 38" waist. I've found several
suits -- over a period of time -- that fit properly right off the
rack. but you'll have to look for the kind that are made together.
You can't mix and match (like with some suits, jackets on these
hangers, trousers on those) or you'll end up with enough material
left over in the jacket around the wiast to make a double-breasted
suit!

In fact, when you go in the store, ask the person working in the
menswear section to point out their selection of eight-inch drop
suits. If all you get in return is a blank stare, you'll know you
are in the wrong place!

By the way, my experience has been that the selection has been
somewhat limited, but the prices are no higher than the other
suits. Think positive thoughts, go find 'em, and let me know
how you do!

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I have had reasonable luck with good men's wear stores. They carry
an "athletic cut" suit. Although I don't really consider myself a body builder,
I do lift weights. My chest isn't 50 inches either ("only" 46, with
a 32 inch   waist. I am 5'8" tall)  Some tailoring is always necessary
for a good fit. But the athletic cut suits aloow you to have the waist taken
in without having the pockets meet in the back :-).

I should warn you that the selection for these suits is usually limited.
(E.i., they usually only have about a dozen suits in my size to choose from,
where as the "standard" sizes might have hundreds.)

I can live with it though. Tese thing are much more common no than they were
in the 70's, when I could NEVER find a suit to fit.

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You need to shop where they offer athletic-fit suits.  These suits are built
larger in the shoulder and smaller in the waist.  The pants are also roomier.
I'm no giant (5 feet, 9 inches, 184 lbs.), but I found that I needed to buy
athletic-fit.  When I found a comfortable size in a regular suit, I needed
too much taken off the waste to meet my 33 inch waist.

=========================================================================




                                                ... Karl

-- 
Karl Sewlochan        ...uunet.ca!isgtec!karl             karl@isgtec.com
ISG Technologies Inc.  3030 Orlando Dr. Mississauga.   Ont.  Can.  L4V 1S8

--
Karl Sewlochan        ...uunet.ca!isgtec!karl             karl@isgtec.com
ISG Technologies Inc.  3030 Orlando Dr. Mississauga.   Ont.  Can.  L4V 1S8
Newsgroups: misc.fitness