How are clothes supposed to fit if you have a big gut?

Wear a kilt.

Your "friend" is going to have to be a big boy and learn to dress himself. He needs to try stuff on before he buys it to see how it will fit, and adjust sizes accordingly. Sweaters and pants will fit differently depending on who makes them so "he" has to find "his" size for each brand. I'd recommend cuts labeled as "modern" or "slim fit" as they will usually avoid some of the extra billowing though "he" may have to size up!

Tl;dr but skimmed it enough to see that he is 60 so you’re not going to change him OP and don’t know why you care. If you’re embarrassed to be seen with him invite him to hang out at home.

I think that would only result in a very incremental improvement, R2.

R3, I appreciate the pragmatic and non-judgemental response.

R1, that would actually be a lot more flattering.

My weight has fluctuated over the years and I tend to put it on in the belly (whereas my legs, chest, and ass remain the same).

Knits (sweaters, t-shirts, polo shirts) tend to be more forgiving with bellies: they stretch, which most woven fabrics do not. OTOH, I think I look better in clothing with some structure (button-front woven shirts, jackets) so these things MUST be tried on and occasionally altered to fit perfectly. Men's shirt in particular are a nuisance, as sizing and cuts (eg, "slim fit, classic fit") are all over the place. When you find a size that fits, buy several of them.

Wearing bigger, oversize clothing just makes a man look even bigger. If you're over 45-50, it's a disaster. Fit is your friend.

Hope this helps.

Part of the problem with clothes is that manufacturers assume that if you have a large belly, then the rest of you must be proportionately large.

I am not enormous but when I was in higher pants sizes, I was amazed at how large the calves/ankles would be. Sometimes the material would flap like a flag. The trick is to tailor where some of that excess is reduced, without going too skin tight and or narrow.

Large bodies are not all alike - another issue with commercially made clothes for large men. I have a longer torso and once I realized that the tall sizes in my size were more flattering to me (e.g. instead of a 2XL, choosing a 2XLT) it made a world of difference. I have a sleeker look without the "tenty" quality larger shirts have. This may or may not work for your shorter friend, but even if it sounds counterintuitive the longer length may give him a sense of a more form fitting shirt that presents a sleeker look.

The belt/pants issue - well, I think most big men have that to a degree. But it sounds like he's either wearing something too big and then expecting that the belt will do all the work, or isn't wearing a very tailored pair of pants. I suspect from your description that he's been buying ill fitting pants all his life, and has never once gone to the tailor to get them altered for his inseam. or have a bit taken in where it's baggy (in the ass). And a big man should NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER wear pleated pants - unless maybe his gunt is so enormous he has no other choice. At 5'6 or so pleated will make him look like he's wearing an adult diaper.

Easy: I just wear my 34 inch pants underneath my 54 inch gut.

sorry - I meant how large/wide the pants would be at the ankles, etc. (that didn't quite sound right)

"I recommend something in the One-Size-Fits-All size range."

Isn't it obvious?

Caftans of course.

Even with the supply chain crisis, surely there are still muumuus for sale.

A vest can help hide an ill fitting shirt underneath.

Caftan

OP you are not alone. As a female (yes, boo, hiss, begone fish, I know), this is a common issue.

For my particular body type, it’s especially annoying to work around, as while I’m not fat (narrow-shouldered but sturdy rectangle, 69kg 5”6, UK size 10), I carry any spare weight on me almost all around my midsection (the most dangerous area😔) and it is really difficult to shift even with diet and exercise.

The other problem is that I have a longer torso and shorter legs, plus a pancake ass, so it isn’t like I can just wear short skirts or shorts and flaunt the pins to disguise the Buddha belly. All I can do it accentuate my chest (34D), but I hate doing that because it makes me feel both frumpy and objectified, plus big tits & belly on a squarish but narrow frame makes most garments you can buy hang really weird and ruck or bunch in unflattering ways.

So it leaves me in a real bind when it comes to dressing, and most of the time I end up looking and feeling so awkward in clothes. Mary! me, but I honestly think I’ve lost out on several job and dating opportunities because of this—it’s especially hard to look professional and mature like this.

Then add to that the lesbian issue—how does a woman dress to attract other women rather than just impress them?

So one can imagine how I find clothes as a concept terribly depressing. Not to QE this shit (I hate that condescending show sfm), but in my desperation I do welcome tips if anyone has them.

[quote] another issue with commercially made clothes for large men. I have a longer torso and once I realized that the tall sizes in my size were more flattering to me (e.g. instead of a 2XL, choosing a 2XLT) it made a world of difference. I have a sleeker look without the "tenty" quality larger shirts have.

This is true. I buy mens’ fit tees and hoodies and jackets sometimes, because apparently all stylish fitted younger womens’ tops these days are created show at least navel if not underboob🙄

I also suffer from long torso short leg syndrome. I'm 5'10" yet I have to wear tiny little 30 inseam midget pants and size small shorts.

My ex was moderately stocky and muscular, but with a 17 inch neck that was out of proportion to the rest of his body. He could never get a shirt that would fit his neck without billowing around the rest of him.

R6, that is exactly what it looks like - like he is wearing an adult diaper. Also, oddly feminine at the same time. Sort of old lady-looking.

Sometimes going up a size but in slim fit works so that the arms and legs aren't too billowy.

R14, have you tried unstructured jackets/cardigans/dusters that are designed to be worn open? Or just a regular blazer, worn open. You can’t wear a jacket that WON’T close across your waist, but you can wear one that would feel tighter than you would like, if closed. You just never button it. I’m not talking about something that would pull, just that would be uncomfortable. But it won’t matter, because you won’t close it.

Also, you don’t want a deep V because of cleavage. But crewnecks are not your friend. I’m sure you already do this, but it’s important to get the neckline of your top/shirt right. Button downs can look very classy and polished, but only if they are good quality with a perfect fit, so you might be better off with sweaters and shells.

You want your jacket / sweater to contrast to create a vertical line down your center, but you probably don’t want either to be very white or light. Complementary medium to dark neutrals. Then match the bottom to either the jacket/cardigan or top/shirt.

I like the look of matching the top and bottom (the materials can be different, but the color match must be near perfect). This avoids a suit look, which can be matronly and dated if it isn’t a really sharp outfit. They should really be from the same manufacturer. Example - A wine colored silk shell with a little bit of sheen and wine pants in a matte wool or synthetic blend with a plain black blazer or cardigan. If the top and bottom are black, you have more flexibility with the style of top. A black turtleneck, yes. A white turtleneck, NO!

A UK 10 is not a very big size and your weight is proportional to your height. I’m guessing you are quite young because most older women would love to have the figure you describe!.

[quote] My ex was moderately stocky and muscular

Ooh, sounds hot. Any photos?

Use Matt LeBlanc as your example.

He is a hot, hung, hairy top and I do have photos but posting them would be revenge porn, R20.

If your friend doesn't want custom made clothes, have him shop at Big & Tall stores like DXL and then take the clothes to a tailor for alterations.

R22 No, it would be a service to those of us who like a beefy, husky top! LOL, mostly kidding (but dang I wish I could see them.)

[quote] have him shop at Big & Tall stores like DXL

This is the most expensive place to shop, and from the description I am guessing OP's friend is either of modest means or does not spend money on clothing. Which probably means he's getting pants a size too big or small and not having the inseam hemmed, etc.

I would guess he's getting cheap shit at Ross and Marshalls and might have a JCP or Kohls item in there, but nothing as expensive as DXL shit.

Cheap shit clothes just aren't worth the expense and trouble of altering. Well made clothes are.

MYOB, OP!

R26 W&W

Your "friend" should take to wearing caftans, OP.

Suspenders can work better than a belt, but of course, the rest of the style has to fit. Is there any way he can tackle this belly? OMAD? Intermediate fasting?

I think, you are a wonderful friend, OP. My answer is close to what R[26], says. If he can, and if you can, get him o buy a few quality pieces of clothing, and have them tailored. This may inspire him, and give him confidence about his appearance as well. 👍

Girdles and corsets, dear.

Are you trying to help him get laid or what?

Buy a few really good pieces and have them altered.

[quote]How are clothes supposed to fit if you have a big gut?

Easy. Pull the waistband of your pants up to your nipples.

There has to be a service in NY that will take measurements for suits and dress shirts and then offshore the work to Hong Kong (traveling tailors, they advertise they are taking appointments in a hotel room for a week and send the finished product direct from HK 3 months later).