Style question: how small/tight is too small/tight?

[d0g]

Hi everyone,

I've recently decided to invest in a refresh to my wardrobe. However, there's a lot of conflicting advice on the Internet about what I should or shouldn't do. Moreover, I don't have the option of going shopping with a girl who knows a lot about men's style.

The main question I'm trying to figure out an answer to is, "how tight is too tight?" with regards to t-shirts, polos, and dress shirts.

Chase basically recommends a "tighter is better" approach: http://www.girlschase.com/content/fashion-men-primer-looking-amazing.

I'm 170 lbs, 5'11", which sounds roughly like I'm in the ballpark where Chase would recommend I just go for size S for all my shirts.

I decided to try this advice out. I bought a size S polyester golf shirt. I ended up looking something like a cross between this:

http://businessgolf.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/tiger-tight-shirt.jpg

and this:

http://www.menshealth.com/30-days-of-lacoste/images/april03/1/full.jpg

As a general rule, I've always tried to avoid clothing that is so form-fitting that my nipples are very clearly visible (Tiger-style), and that make it non-obvious that my stomach isn't completely flat (sidenote: I'm working on that, but I'm not going to reach that goal for another 6 months or so).

I can choose size S or size M. If I choose S, I end up looking like Tiger. If I choose M, I end up looking more like this:

http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/Underarmour/V5P?scl=1&$z=1018%2C3000&rect=0%2C0%2C1750%2C1750&$p=850%2C1520&$s=V5-1228539-600_HTF

What size should I choose, for the following categories of clothing?

T-shirts
Golf shirts
Button-down shirts (for use with khakis/jeans)
Button-short shirts (for use with dress pants/as part of suit)

Thanks!

Later,
d0g

 

[GotED?]

Right size:

Button up shirts - it should form around the shape of your chest and waist, but if your upper buttons when closed are stretching and pulling apart, then it is too tight.

Standard tops (without collar) - should be tight and hugging loosely against your body but not like a wet t-shirt contest.

Jeans - you should not be displaying grandpa ass, that means make sure your jean sits tight against your arse. The length of your jeans or pants should drape right over the middle portion of your shoe laces, no higher, no lower. Pick boot-cut jeans, never 'relaxed fit' bullsh!t unless you are over 75yrs old.

Shoes - avoid loafers or slip on shoes. Lace-up shoes are more attractive and appear better. Choose dark brown shoes over black shoes if not for work always.

There's additional reading in the Mature Men section sticky noted on the top of the list of threads for fashion.

Exodus

 

[Die Hard]

Start working out, then wear TIGHT shirts and make the womenz crazy

 

[gravityeyelids]

are you muscular?

 

[foreverAFC]

when i read the title of the thread i thought this was going to be about vaginas

 

[gravityeyelids]

when i read the title of the thread i thought this was going to be about vaginas

ahahaha me too

 

[d0g]

4north1side2, GotED?: Thanks. I feel like with size S, I'm dangerously close to the "wet t-shirt contest" category. Perhaps I'll just have to experiment with S and M sizes, and see how the responses differ.

The jeans advice is something I hadn't really thought about, but I think I need to go try a bunch of different brands. My current jeans are sufficiently tight around my waist, but are not completely hugging my ass.

gravityeyelids: Not particularly. I've been doing 30 minutes of arm and chest weight-lifting exercises once every two days for the past ~7 months, so I've got reasonable definition there, but I definitely don't yet look like Brad Pitt in Fight Club. I'm probably somewhere inbetween the 3rd and 4th pics in: http://imagecdn.bodybuilding.com/img/user_images/growable/2012/03/03/37446262/gallerypic/IhyvOIqCYgUhtOGoEdfcATZFoNJbIOZHbwBJ.jpg (except I'm 30, not 60!). What do you recommend for that "level" of physique? Play it safe, and go with Medium?

- d0g