Today’s Times has an article on fashion for shorter men. (Also picked up by the other similarly statured Jeff, as I knew he would.) Though I’m considerably short, I usually have little problem finding clothes that fit. The trouble is in finding clothes that fit well. The article has a related list of retailers, and I will vouch for two of their mentions, Gap and American Eagle Outfitters. I’ve shopped at both, more at the former, and found some good (if occasionally bland) items there. Most of the shirts I wear to work these days are from H&M. Maybe I should pay a visit to Jimmy Au’s.
Aside: pants at Gap stores are arranged with the shortest, smallest sizes on the top shelf. Every time I wanted a pair of pants I would have to ask a salesperson to help me reach it. And it occurred to me: yes, I know we are a left-to-right, top-to-bottom-reading society, but still, why would they put a product literally out of reach of the very people who want it? (I later wrote an e-mail to Gap corporate, and got a noncommittal “we constantly review our store designs; we’re looking into it” response.) Incidentally, Gap stores now carry just the middle of their size range — other sizes are available on their website only — so my issue is kind of moot.
Well, I went shopping today for shorts. (What to wear on Saturday that’ll make my legs look good at the Pride parade? Well, nothing, unfortunately…)
Since all the XL, XXL and XXXL sizes (which are the ones I need) are on the bottom, I had to practically lay on the floor in order to find what I wanted. I imagine it’s a sales trick: All the heavy-set men needing size 48 pants will squat, ripping the butts out of their jeans, forcing them to buy two new pairs of pants now!
I also did the foolish thing, and walked through the Polo, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Perry Ellis sections.
Oh, they had some awesome colored shirts there. Some striped ones with white and brilliant punk pink and deep blue. Some incredible colored shirts — including an almost fluorescent purple that I desperately wanted. And all 40% off, because Hecht’s is having a HUGE HUGE sale.
Sorry. All S, M, L. I’m 6’4. 260. Nothing but a XXLT or a XXXL will fit.
I just about cried.
I ended up with white socks, a belt and two pairs of shorts from the crappy “house” line.
Oh the joy.
Tim, the situation you describe seems so odd to me, since whenever I go shopping, all I see are XL and larger sizes. You go shopping and find only S, M and L. I wonder what would happen if a S and an X[XX]L person went shopping together? Would we both find clothes in our appropriate sizes, or would we find the shelves completely empty of clothing altogether?
I wonder if this “law” already has a name, a la Murphy?