Style guides are great – we write rather a lot of them, actually – and there’s one constant across them all: the importance of fit. Of course, it’s not always as easy as simply knowing which size to buy, especially without falling into what the industry considers a standard frame.
Fortunately, brands and retailers are doing increasingly more to cater for big and tall blokes. Whether it’s hot-off-the-press trend pieces or investment buys, these ten have got you (and your long legs) covered.
M&S
Best For: Everyday Tailoring
Still one of the nation’s most beloved stores, Marks & Spencer has upped its big and tall game for tailoring this season, with 53 per cent more options to choose from across different styles, fits and, most importantly, sizes.
The high street giant now offers over 150 suits in four fits, with measurements ranging from 36” short to 54” extra long on jackets and 28” to 48” waist on trousers, with leg lengths from 29” to 37”.
River Island
Best For: Smart-Casual
Home of contemporary classics on the high street, River Island’s Big & Tall range is a fashion-forward collection comprising 117 options from the retailer’s mainline offering.
Spanning everything from raglan sleeve T-shirts and lightweight outerwear to quality denim and classic Oxford shirts, sizes extend to 48” waist, XXXXL/55” chest, and shoe size 13.
BoohooMAN
Best For: Trends
Ahead of launching a full big and tall range in July, BoohooMAN has begun offering a selection of trend-led items to keep you looking sharp, however you measure up.
Currently, sizes reach up to XXL across outerwear and denim, but by late summer this will go up to 4XL and feature the trend-led pieces straight out of the men’s fashion weeks, too.
Jacamo
Best For: All-Rounder
One of the best-known names on the plus size scene, Jacamo is an all round hub for bigger guys, offering clothes that don’t resort to elasticated waists.
Aiming to make shopping easy for rugby and basketball-build guys alike, it stocks sizes up to 5XL across sportswear, denim, designer labels and sized-up accessories, plus shoes up to a size 18.
Burton
Best For: Basics
Burton has been one of man’s best friends on the high street for more than a century. For this season, the store has launched its first Big & Tall range, which concentrates on producing its core products in more sizes, rather than creating a separate collection.
Clothing goes up to 5XL, while footwear stretches to a size 14, with wider foot options on size 12, 13 and 14.
Asket
Best For: T-Shirts and Cashmere
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Levi’s
Best For: Denim
Good fitting jeans are hard to come by at the best of times, let alone when searching out larger fits, which can feel nigh on impossible. Thanks, then, to the king of denim, Levi’s, for increasing its sizing to include more options that ever.
Worn by everyone from James Dean to George Clooney, the iconic 501 jeans are now available in Relaxed, Comfort, Athletic and Straight Leg fits in up to a 58” waist and 38” leg. All the dream denim, none of the changing room drama.
Gant
Best For: Shirts
Trying to buy shirts in larger sizes usually results in a toss up between them being short, tight, long, loose, or any weird combination of the above.
Fortunately, shirt specialist Gant now turns out sizes up to 4XL, each cut from an innovative new fabric called Tech Prep. Designed to support an active style, the stretchy material also features moisture-wicking properties that help keep you cool and fresh. So say goodbye to puckering buttons and damp patches.
Debenhams
Best For: Holiday Clothing
Debenhams has a whole collection of Big & Tall clothing, all available up to a 58” chest, 52” waist and up to 6XL, and up to a size 15 shoe.
The department store’s holiday gear is some of the best around, packed with on-trend patterned shirts, smart tailored shorts and crisp white polo shirts that’ll have you looking cool by the pool all summer long.
Suitsupply
Best For: Occasionwear
For a larger stature, investing in a bespoke suit will get a fit that’s second-to-none. However, chances are Savile Row is off the cards until your Lotto numbers come in, but luckily Suitsupply has got your perfectly tailored back.
As well as ready-to-wear two- and three-pieces going up to 60” chest in short, regular and long cuts that can be altered in-store, custom suits are available with a choice of over 600 Italian fabrics. Suits you, sir.