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Fashion for larger man?
Hey all!
I'll be spending some time in Europe this summer and was curious thoughts on European fashion for a larger man. I'm 6' 2" and generally wear XL. Most of the European fashion I see is for skinny men and I'm afraid I'll stick out like a sore thumb. I'll be doing some shopping before I go as I own a pair of jeans and a bunch of t-shirts ( which apparently are both no-no's ). Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions? I appreciate your feedback! |
There are plenty of 'plus size' men in the UK. You won't stick out like a sore thumb unless you try really REALLY hard to shock. Nothing wrong w/ jeans - unless they sag down around your knees.
(XL isn't all that 'huge' for someone 6' 2" ) |
What type of tee shirts? Are they nice or do they have ratty sayings on them? How about some polo shirts. The collar gives a more finished look for men and they are as cool and wash as easily as tee shirts. Add a couple of no-iron button down shirts (depending on your age).
I see you only have one pair of jeans. Do you have other trousers? If not, then buy some in black or navy and khaki. They'll work well with the polos. Bring a water-proof jacket and a sweater or two. Pack socks to keep your feet warm and add lace-up shoes. You'll be all set for a UK summer! If the temps go above 75 you could also bring sandals. |
No-one in Europe gives a flying fart what you wear.
Possibly you live in some homogeneous ghetto where everyone wears the same clothes and looks the same. If so, you'll be shocked by the diversity of European streets. If not, why do you think Europe's going to be any different? |
"No-one in Europe gives a flying fart what you wear." Couldn't agree more. Don't worry about it.
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Adrienne has some good suggestions. You'll see jeans but usually dark ones. I never understand the attitude " look like an unmade bed if you are comfortable nobody will care" What's wrong with looking neat, tasteful and well groomed?
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The only reason I wouldn't take jeans to Europe in the summer is because I find them too hot to wear. Something in a lighter weight might be more comfortable.
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I have been reading on this forum for years that jeans are not comfortable for travel. Yet every flight I take is filled with people in jeans who must not realize they are uncomfortable, and people all over appear to be wearing them in the street.
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Well good for them. I find them hot and I prefer not to wear them.
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My nephew is 6'6" & wears XL to get the length he needs in trousers & sleeves. At only 4" shorter, I don't see you would have too many problems finding stylish casual gear.
Look for chinos, dark jeans, polo necked tee shirts & a good light weight jacket ( navy or black is good) that you can sling over a t'shirt or white shirt for a nice restaurant. There was a good looking man in a white shirt, camel chinos & a black jacket at the table next to us at lunch today. He looked great & wasn't a puny specimen. Could have been you! |
Jeans (and denim of all sorts) a "no no" in Europe? Wait until you get there and see ALL of those jeans and sneakers (trainers)...you'll wish you had brought more of them.
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Get ready for a lot of attention from European women. I am 6'3" and an XL. You're right about the skinny men over there. When they see a substantial man European women just sort of lose it.
You'll think they're picking your pocket but they're not. |
PS you might want to drop "Nathan" and tell them your name is Chuck. For the full experience.
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You are wrong there, Cold. What European women really go for are men who are 5' 3" and XXL. Ripped jeans and an off-white stained t-shirt also help, preferably with a medallion, some piercings and a few tattoos.
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Is that from personal experience?
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Cold, you are an absolute devil!
Charley, with some ripe body odour, that's my worst nightmare. |
Chartley - Sounds perfect for my 60s and 70s. Something to look forward to.
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Sounds like something FROM the 60's/70's! Only missing the platform
Shoes & paisley shirt. |
cold - you're always a delightful experience!!
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Adrienne there's just something about hearing "Oh mon dieu Chuck". It's the merging of cultures I think.
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Whatever you do don't wit to europe to buy clothing - it will cost WAY more than in the US.
Decent jeans and tee shirts (not clean out the garage shredded bottoms and jiffy lube tee shirts) are fine for touring during the day but obviously you will need more. Agree that polo shirts are more versatile (better in restaurants) and you could use a couple of pairs of khakis or dockers - but could just bring more jeans if you want (although I think they are too hot in the summer - esp in places without AC). Suggest you head for the nearest discount mall for a shopping binge. And XL isn't huge for someone that height. DH is 6'3" and fit but with broad shoulders and switches between L long and XL long - depending on manufacturer. |
cold - you have me crying with laughter! You really stand out. 6'3", white shorts, and purple bum pack. Tell me more!!! I want to see photos.
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The other problem with jeans (beside they're being hot) is how long they take to dry in European dryers. Hours.
If you're wearing jeans in the summer, you will need to wash them. Will your hotel do laundry and will you be there long enough for the laundry to be returned? Will you be staying in apartments that have washer/dryers? Some places only have washers. Or will you drop off your clothes at a laundry? (I never trust them to use the proper water temperature.) There are relatively few laundromats/laundrettes in Europe; check Rick Steves' guide books for laundromat locations. Or buy some lightweight pants and wash them out in your hotel room at night. |
Where are you going in Europe? And during what part of the summer?
People tend to dress differently in the cities than the do in the countryside or by the sea. But still, in the summertime, only the men who need to keep business appointments dress for business but other men wear jeans or athletic pants, and everybody understands tourists want to dress for comfort and cleanliness. Even Europeans put on tourist clothes when they go visiting other European countries: shorts, caps, vests, wash and wear shirts. If you are going during hot months, cargo shorts that hit below the knee are extremely popular in much of Europe. In most of Europe, long sleeve t-shirts are acceptable everywhere. If they have english any English words on them (ie, Phoenix Jiffy Lube) that is great. About the only way you will "stick out like a sore thumb" clothes-wise is if you are dressed too warmly or not warm enough for the local weather. |
I pulled this picture off the internet because I think it is so typical of the thousands and thousands and thousands of people you see all over Europe in the summer, and you don't know if these people are from the UK or the US or Germany or the Ukraine. For dinner, they would dress it up more, but for walking around, they would absolutely blend in.
http://asixpackofstories.files.wordp.../2013/01/4.jpg |
The man on the right looks typically American and possibly the man on the left. The woman is more difficult to place..
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Paint yourself pink and wear a green suit.
You will stick out. Otherwise, don't take this personally, nobody will give a damn. |
A little digging on the other pages of the blog reveals that they are, indeed, all Americans. You can never be 100% sure, and different nationalities are converging in appearance, but there is something about the size of the man on the right, the cut of his shorts, the woman's hair, her "how cute I am" smile, and the style of the shoes of all of them but suggests they are not European.
Other questions can be left to your imagination. |
My husband and i have been going to europe for may years and are taking an extended trip this summer. He is not too tall but wears an XL in most items. I have bought lightweight chinos and shorts for him on www.exofficio.com and lots of different tshirts (short and long sleeve) in a nice pima cotton and a couple of vneck sweaters from Lacoste or Ralph Lauren. We stick with classic colors like navy, black, white, grey. Everything washes and dries easily, he is comfortable and looks nice! It's like he wears his "uniform" every day but it makes it so easy to pack and mix and match things . We are going to Europe for three months this summer and are each only bringing a 21 inch bag ! it works. I also agree jeans are hot and hard to launder ,,,but some people can't live without them. The darker wash on jean you can dress up or down more.
have fun! being comfortable is number one, but it's pretty easy to look put together with just basics. |
one more thing...I believe these items I mentioned also come in " tall" sizes. I've been doing alot of shopping lately, LOL.
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6'2" Isn't particularly tall and XL isn't particularly huge.
Wear what you want, no one will notice or care, except maybe other Americans. |
<i>I'm 6' 2" and generally wear XL.</i>
Extremely common in Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands. I feel like a dwarf around here. <i>Most of the European fashion I see is for skinny men and I'm afraid I'll stick out like a sore thumb. I'll be doing some shopping before I go as I own a pair of jeans and a bunch of t-shirts ( which apparently are both no-no's ).</i> I spend my days surrounded by Northern European men aged 20-65 in professional and non-professional environments and jeans are perfectly acceptable if the jeans are dark wash to black and the fit is no looser than say a Levis 514 fit. T shirts are fine too buy stay away from cheesy prints (if you have to ask if it's cheesy then it is). Fitted button up shirts (long and shirt sleeve) are very common as well. If you want to "feel" like you fit in then why not buy clothes when you arrive? Marks & Spencers is a good place to go and isn't terribly expensive (store selection based on your UK tag). You're going to stick out anyway but if it makes you feel better, buy yourself some new threads. |
Europeans are going the way of the world.... Big. Relax, you will fit in perfectly. Enjoy your trip.
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Wow wow wow! Thank you guys so much! I didn't receive any emails saying it's been posted to, so I didn't know anyone posted here! I need to read through everything real quick!
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>><i>Wow wow wow! Thank you guys so much! I didn't receive any emails saying it's been posted to, so I didn't know anyone posted here!</i><<
Fodors doesn't have a 'notification' feature. You need to check back to see whats happening on threads . . . |
Janisj: So I've discovered =p
Kelbo: I'll be taking a carry on as well! I feel it'll be much more of a challenge and way easier than lugging around a large suitcase. I'll definitely check out exofficio.com... Spark: good points... They're 505's so I should be good to go Sandralist: you're wonderful. Everyone else: your words were encouraging, informative, and quite funny at times =D A few more details: most of my time will be spent in the UK. I might venture out a bit more to the Netherlands, Ireland, Austria, but it's not quite set in stone. |
In the UK you might find a store called High and Mighty they do for my family http://www.highandmighty.co.uk/shop/...FScGwwodCjEADg
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