A few months ago, GQ picked their 25 Best Men’s Stores in America and shared them with their readers. In many cases, the types of high end shops you find on lists like these don’t offer clothing in extended sizes, so if you’re like many of us, you probably don’t pay any attention to them. We decided to take a look at GQ’s list and make our own from it – featuring only shops that offer clothing in extended sizes. We were able to cut it down to about 10 stores that offer clothes in sizes XL and up. You’ll find stores from across the nation that run the spectrum of tastes and styles.
Keep in mind that this is NOT a list of the best big and tall shops in the country – this is our list of stores that offer clothing in extended sizes based on GQ’s article. Below you’ll find our list, notes on sizes and more information on each store.
- Imogene + Willie
Imogene + Willie is a store we wrote about late last year. This denim company brings you high quality, handcrafted products with a classic, Americana vibe.As writer Lindsey Davis said last year, "The styles you’ll find put a focus less on “trendy” (though they still manage to stay up with the current trends) and more on great fit, color and ability to withstand wear and tear. The company emphasizes traditions that we often translate to or associate with vintage items. That is to say, all things old are new again and Imogene and Willie that goes beyond the way their jeans look."
While not the most extended sizes to be found in this list, you'll find sizes to 40 and XL in shirts and denim at Imogene + Willie.
2601 12th Avenue South - Nashville, TN www.imogeneandwillie.com (615) 292-5005
- Unionmade
San Francisco's Unionmade specializes in just about everything a guy could want: clothing, accessories, books, shoes, grooming products and more.While sizes in jeans and pants leave little to be desired with sizes to 40 (if you're lucky), you'll find shirts from a number of brands available to XXL. Even if those sizes don't work for you, the apothecary, books, and workshop sections make this store worthwhile. Pick up some accessories to help round out your style a bit.
493 Sanchez Street - San Francisco, CA www.unionmadegoods.com 415-861-3373
- Hickoree’s Hard Goods
We're including Hickoree's Hard Goods less for the clothing they offer and more for everything else. You cannot go wrong with the ties, handkerchiefs, bags, shoes, and other accessories they have to offer.We recommend the Indigo Chambray Tie ($83), the Thorogood Lace to Toe Roofer Boot #814, Tobacco ($150), and the Epperson Mountaineering Hiking Day Pack ($185).
If you don't visit the store, visit the site. The goal of the Hickoree's Hard Goods website is "to make Hickoree's Hard Goods an online store that exudes real-worldliness, full of objects that invite you to form a personal, nostalgic connection with them." They've done a pretty good job of it.
109 South 6th Street, 2nd Floor - Brooklyn, NY www.hickorees.com (347) 294-0005
- Nordstrom
Sure, Nordstrom has stores across the country, but they're headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and that's the one GQ featured in their list. If you've been reading Chubstr for any extended period of time, you know that we're fans of the company, which offers clothing for men in sizes to 4X in tops and 58 in waist.Another plus for Nordstrom is that there's probably one near you, making it more accessible than any of the other stores on the list. Still, if you live in the middle of the desert, or deep in the mountains somewhere, you can always shop Nordstrom's website for new looks.
500 Pine St. - Seattle, WA www.nordstrom.com (206) 628-2111
- REI
With sizes to 3XL, the REI store should be a stop for any outdoor enthusiast. Whether you like to camp, cycle, run, paddle, or climb, they have the clothing and gear you'll need to do it.Not only will they sell you the gear to do all that fun stuff, but if you visit a store, they'll teach you how to do it better. You can sign up to attend classes and events related to the types of activities that you're into.
Speaking of which, if you're into cycling or looking for a bike to fit a man of size, consider some of the heavy duty bikes from Electra and Surly at the REI website.
303 Lafayette Street - New York, NY www.rei.com (212) 680-1938
Honorable Mentions
There are a few other places on the GQ list that bear mentioning, and you’ll find them below.
- Martin Greenfield Clothiers – Creator of hand-tailored clothing since 1977. GQ calls him America’s Greatest Living Tailor. Brooklyn, NY
- Billy Reid – The flagship store is based in Florence, Alabama, and carries classic, cool shirts to XXL and pants to 40. Check out their accessories.
- Atlanta’s Sid Mashburn teaches you how to create a look and sells you the clothes to pull it off. XXL tops and 40 waist. Tailored options available.
- Since 1938 NYC’s Paul Stuart has been dressing anybody who’s anybody in high quality menswear. Sizes generally run to XXL, with made to measure options available.
- It’s all about the kicks at Bodega. Sneakers as far as the eye can see. Tops only run to XL, but that’s not why you shop here. Boston, MA
There you have our picks from GQ’s top 25 best men’s stores in America. What do you think? Do you shop at any of the places listed above? Did GQ miss anything? Tell us in the comments below. Keep an eye out for Chubstr’s list of the best big & tall shops in America in the coming weeks.
Hickoree’s photo via Hickoree’s Hard Goods Facebook page
Need Supply Co. via Jason Pier in DC
Unionmade via Artbandito
Cabazon Outlets via prayitno
Nordstrom via Tony in WA
REI via sonofabike
Bodega via sharpshooter99
Paul Stuart via paulstuart.com
