The 1st video episode of Answerland is here! Today’s question comes from J.M. Brunson, who is dealing with something most big guys face: shirt gaps. You know – those gaps between the buttons of your shirt. Asks Mr. Brunson:
The issue that I’m having is that my dress shirts fit and look great when I’m standing, but when I sit, there’s a bulge between my buttons, revealing my undershirt. Any suggestions?
Absolutely! You have a few different options, depending on your preferences and budget.
Most guys don’t think much about the shirt they’re wearing beneath their button downs. If you pick up some undershirts that match the color of the button down you’re planning to wear, those shirt gaps are less likely to be noticed. In the video above, I show you how I do this, and how well it can work.
If you’re wearing a button down shirt with a pattern, this can be trickier. In that situation, the best thing to do is to try to match the most prominent color. This isn’t always perfect, but it can help.
Layering can be the big guy’s best friend, especially when the weather cools down. Throw a vest of some sort over your button down shirt, and it will cover most of your shirt gaps. Consider a sweater or a jacket if you’re going to be out in the elements or somewhere that you won’t overheat. If you’re in Florida in July, you don’t want to do this.
Stretch fabric in big & tall shirts and pants is a dream come true. Look for button downs that contain some of this miracle fabric, and not only will it help with gapping, but you’ll notice that you have more range of motion and a generally better fit.
Knowing your exact measurements will make your shopping life so much easier, especially when it comes to shopping online. There’s no universal sizing standard, so you can be a 1X at one shop and a 6X at another. Knowing your actual measurements means that you can look at the fit guide on a website and choose the size that is closest to your actual chest, waist, inseam, etc.
That covers it for this week. Have a question you need an answer to? Hit us up on social @Chubstr on your favorite social network or click here to send us a message through the website.
