Introduction; Model Falls Five Stories and Survives
I found out that a model that I included in a previous post, Christian Rodriguez, fell five stories (16.5 meters) from a Manhattan, New York, fire escape and survived.
I was stunned by the story and decided to look up more information about the fire escapes in New York City.
In New York City, some older apartment buildings have fire escapes, a metal structure attached to the building to allow occupants (a second route) to leave their apartments in case of an emergency. New York City has a regulation for fire escapes.
Fortunately, residents of these buildings can use internal stairways to get out of their buildings. Fire escapes in New York City have a nostalgic feel to those who live there. However, the fire escapes are not needed today and have contributed to several deaths from falls.
The fire escapes are made of metal, which is exposed to water and the sun (which weakens the structure over time). [There was a 2018 TV news report on fire escapes with corrosion.] The fire escape, therefore, provides a false sense of safety.
One story I found explained that as a private engineer was inspecting a fire escape, a 150-pound (68 kilogram) stair tread fell away when she stepped on it. It struck Mr. Richard March-Hart (a pedestrian) in the head, ultimately causing fatal injuries. Another pedestrian, Ms. Nathalia Medllin, also was struck and injured by the stair tread. Ms. Medllin survived. The engineer was able to hold on to the handrail to stabilize herself.
There is another painful fire-escape-related story from Massachusetts in 1975. A photographer for the Boston Herald, Stanley J. Forman, caught an image of Ms. Diana Bryant and two-year-old Tiare Jones while falling from a fire escape that broke away from the building. Ms. Bryant fell onto the pavement and passed away. Tiare Jones survived due to falling on Ms. Bryant.
Fire-Escape-Fall Survivors
Christian Rodriguez
Christian Rodriguez is a stage manager in New York City. He had done a photo shoot with a local photographer, Eduardo Fermin.
After I published the post about Eduardo, I found out that Christian had fallen from a fire escape on September 11, 2021, from a Twitter post. The GoFundMe page for Christian provides details about what happened. Christian fell from the fifth or sixth floor. Fortunately, Christian fell first on some shrubs before reaching the ground. While he sustained some serious injuries, with time and therapy he will be able to return to his usual routine.
I read the comments on Christian’s GoFundMe page. (The comment from his grandmother caught my attention.)
After all this, Christian is not paralyzed, will be able to walk (after his leg fractures heal), and is in possession of all his faculties. This is a miraculous result given what happened to others who also fell five stories.
I wish Christian (and his family and friends) the very best as he continues on his recovery journey.
[Author’s note: I experienced with a much less severe ankle fracture (non-displaced fracture of the lateral malleolus, no surgery needed). I tripped and fell on some stairs at home on the day after Christmas 2020. After being treated at urgent care, there were numerous follow-up appointments (over about five months, with the orthopedic doctor, x-rays, and physical therapy), learning how to get around using crutches, dealing with the soft cast/boot, and the swelling.
Christian probably experienced compound fractures, as he did have surgery for his ankle fractures. He will have to be off his feet for a period before getting to crutches.
He will have many follow-up medical appointments, too.]
Another Survivor in Brooklyn
I found a 2016 news article about a man falling from a fire escape in Brooklyn. The man was leaning on a railing when it broke loose from the fire escape. The man fell four stories to the ground. He survived but was seriously injured.
Surviving a Five-Story Fall from a Manhattan Apartment’s Roof
While this post focuses on falls from the fire escape, I found an article about a five-story fall from a Manhattan roof. The author, Matthew Knott, is a journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald. Matthew interviewed a researcher, Michael Smith, who co-wrote a journal article about injuries from multi-story falls.
A blog, W42st, had a post about Mr. Knott’s article.
Fatal Falls from the Fire Escape
In reviewing the stories related to multi-story falls from fire escapes, I found some heart-breaking stories. The people involved fell onto the pavement. I extend my prayers to those who fell and their surviving families.
Ms. Tyler Thorpe fell five stories from a Manhattan fire escape to the pavement. (May 28, 2021)
A man was found on the pavement in Manhattan after a fall. He was known to smoke on the fire escape outside his fifth-floor apartment. (July 31, 2020)
Mr. Kyle Jean-Baptiste, an actor, fell from a fourth-floor fire escape in Brooklyn. He landed on the street. (August 28, 2015)
Ms. Kasey Jones fell five stories after slipping off the fire escape in Manhattan. Ms. Jones landed in the courtyard.
Ms. Imogen Roche, 15, lost her footing and fell from a fire escape outside of a fifth-floor apartment in Manhattan. She landed on the sidewalk.
Rob creates great images. Many models return for more photo shoots. Do you have a favorite image that Rob created? Please describe the photo in the comments and explain how the image grabbed your attention.
Walking Jack is an underwear brand based in Greece. After the Bluebird Collection, the brand released the Ash Collection. The Ash Collection is available in the following styles: trunk and brief.
Model: Alexis Estrada. Photographer: Adrian C. Martin.
Ash Collection Photo Campaign
Walking Jack had a photo shoot for its Ash Collection. The model was Loren Cruz, a fashion model from the Canary Islands, Spain. The photographer was Adrian C. Martin. The photos were taken in the Canary Islands.
Trunks
Briefs
Size Chart
Walking Jack has a wide variety of sizes from Small (27-29 in or 70-75 cm) to XXL (36-39 in or 91-99 cm).
Shipping
Walking Jack delivers worldwide. I live in the United States. According to Walking Jack’s website, I am in zone 4. The shipping fee is6.50 euros (registered post) for an expected delivery time of 5 to 14 business days or 18 euros for an expected delivery time of 2 to 3 business days.
Photo Gallery
The brand included photos of Loren in other underwear available at Walking Jack.
Conclusion
I hope you are inspired to try out Walking Jackās new Ash Collection. What has been your experience of the Walking Jack brand? What style of menās underwear is your favorite and why? Tell me in the comment section.
After working out consistently, you have built a solid muscular physique. Perhaps you are newer on your weight training journey, and you are planning to have a physique like Mauro Fialho (mens physique pro), Laszlo Kiraly (classic physique), or Chris Bumstead (classic physique pro) one day.
The physique that is favored in physique competitionābroad shoulders, thickly muscled back, lean waist (a V-shape), and well-developed legsāis a rare body type. So, outside of athletic clothing, it can be difficult to find clothing for non gym activitiesāa date, a job, and so on.
(Fit guys like Josh Riquelme, Kyle Hynick, and Fraser Wilson have physiques that mass-produced clothing can accommodate. Still, most of the brands that I will discuss would suit these physique types as well.)
for the purposes of this article, I will consider all levels as bodybuilding. The gym-built bodies differ significantly from the general population of guys.
Pro Bodybuilder Regan Grimes practices bodybuilding poses with Milos Sarcev.
The Right Color for Your Skin Tone
The Undertone
There are two types of undertonesācool and warm. Skin tone is different from skin color. The best way to tell whether you have a cool or warm skin tone. Stand in front of a mirror and hold a sheet of white copy paper next to your face.
If you see a red, pink, or blue undertone you have a cool undertone.
If you see a peach, yellow, or golden undertone, then you have a warm undertone.
When you determine what type of undertone you have, you can tell which colors look best next to your skin.
Color Theory
I have provided a very quick explanation of how to apply a portion of color theory. However, if you are interested in viewing the topic in-depth, I recommend Marcel Floruss‘s video on color theory (at right). Marcel is a fashion school graduate and provides technical information in an easy-to-understand manner.
Neutral colors should be the foundation of a guy’s wardrobe. Neutral colors are black, white, grey, beige, and khaki. Once you build a wardrobe based on neutral colors, you can begin to mix in more colors.
Wardrobe Essentials: The Foundation of Your Personal Style
Your wardrobe for non-athletic places should include essential pieces. If money is tight, you can slowly buy new clothes or find pieces at a trusted thrift shop until your wardrobe is complete.
For the thrift shop idea and style ideas for muscular guys, see the video with Nathan McCallum and Marcel Floruss (right).
Brock McGoff, The Modest Man at YouTube, explains why the foundation of your wardrobe should be based on neutral colors. He also provides his advice on what he would by if he were building up his wardrobe.
Wardrobe Essentials
Jacket
Dark grey suit
Shirts
White dress shirt, casual button-down shirt, t-shirt
Pants
Dress pants, casual pants (chinos), dark denim jeans
Leather boots, dress shoes, white or black leather sneakers
Accessories
Watch, bracelet, leather belt
Clothing Brands for Bodybuilders
The goal is to find wardrobe essential pieces that are made for bodybuilder physiques. There are several brands that focus on this unique fashion niche.
The clothing offered: jeans, chinos, shorts, and shorts.
The brand has a specific sizing guide. (According to a blog post, the brand specifically added upper arm measurements to its sizing.)
Sizing
The sizing for Oxblood is based on particular dimensions of a bodybuilder’s x-frame (wide shoulders/upper back, narrower waist, and wider hips, and bigger thighs). For example, the “Greyman” fit is recommended for a guy who is 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet two inches tall, up to 225 pounds.
Arms: 16.5 inches to 18 inches
Chest: 43 inches to 48 inches
Waist: 30 inches to 38 inches
Neck: 19 inches
Hips: 45 inches
The Angus fit is interesting. The 212-pound bodybuilding category is for guys that are 5 feet five inches tall or shorter. The Angus fit for this height recommends a body weight of up to 175 pounds for guys who have a height from 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 inches.
The brand does caution that not everyone can fit its sizing, but the brand can provide clothing for some big guys. Each product page has a bodybuilder’s photos and his measurement’s so that the reader can compare.
The sizing for Tapered Menswear shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest and unflexed biceps measurement. The sizes range from S to XXXXL. For example, for a dress shirt, an XXXL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 45 inch to 47-in chest and 17.5-inch upper arms. For polo shirts and t-shirts, the arm size decreases by 0.5 inch. For more questions about fit, the reader can email or chat with a company representative.
Each product page has a photo of a bodybuilder and height, weight, and chest measurements.
The brand’s polo shirts are available in short- and long-sleeves. I have chosen the short sleeve shirt for this article.
Black tapered fit polo shirt
40 Great Britain Pounds
100 percent cotton mesh fabric
T-shirt
The t-shirts have a muscle fit, meaning that the t-shirt fits closer to the body and emphasizes a bodybuilder’s V-shape. The close fit of the t-shirt’s sleeve shows off the wearer’s biceps peak.
The clothing offered: jackets, jeans, jumpers (sweaters), pants, shirts, and t-shirts.
The brand’s sizing chart for shirts and for pants. (There is a context-based size guide tab at the right side of the screen for each product type.) The brand shows how their clothes fit on different types of physiques (one of them is a muscular physique, Andrei Deiu, an IFBB pro (mens physique)).
The sizing for Father Sons is not explicitly designed for bodybuilders but they do have muscular models wearing their clothes, such as Andrei Deiu and Regan Grimes. Both Andrei and Regan wear shirts with stretch in it.
I do not think that an undershirt would fit under the shirt. The brand’s sizing for upper-body clothing (XS to XXXXL) is based on chest size. Bodybuilders tend to have huge arms that will not fit in fitted sleeves.
For example, Andrei wears the super-slim stretch black denim long-sleeve shirt (US$61.81; 69 percent cotton, 28 percent polyester, and 3 percent stretch). An interested reader may have to size up with Father Sons to ensure a good fit.
In the leather jacket (US$418.92, lightweight lambs leather), Andrei wears a t-shirt under the jacket. While the body of the jacket fits Andrei well, the sleeves look too tight (you can see the veins on top of his biceps through the material). The brand explains that Andrei is demonstrating the tight, fitted look (size XXL, 50-inch chest).
Still, I added this brand for consideration because of muscular models wearing the clothes. I think fit men like Elad Michaeli, Josh Riquelme, or Kyle Hynick would fit these clothes well.
The brand’s sizing (30 through 38) for lower-body clothing is based on a bodybuilder’s waist (up to 38 inches), hip (up to 44 inches), and thigh (up to 27 inches) circumference. The pants come in four lengths (28, 30, 32, and 34).
The brand’s pants sizing would explain IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Regan Grimes’s experience. In Regan Grimes’s try-on video, he showed that it took some effort for him to put on the brand’s jeans.
IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Regan Grimes tries on Father Sons clothing.
Andrei Deiu and Zac Perna
Andrei Dieu at Father Sons photo shoot (behind the scenes).
The clothing offered: chinos, dress shirts, dress pants, jeans, and polos.
Readers can contact the brand for sizing advice (For example, see the chat function at the bottom-left of the screen.)
Sizing
The sizing for Barbell Apparel shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest. The sizes range from S to XXL (38 inches to 52 inches). For example, for all brand shirts, an XXL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 52-inch chest. For pants, the sizes range from 28/S to 40/XXL. The pants sizes are based on a bodybuilder’s waist and thigh circumference. The length of the pants is 34 inches, which may be too long for shorter men (including me).
Each product page has a photo of a bodybuilder and height, weight, and chest measurements.
The brand has size information on each product page.
Sizing
The sizing for Legend London shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest and hips. The sizes range from S to XL. For example, for a dress shirt, an XL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 46-inch chest and 44-inch hips. For pants, the sizes are based on waist circumference (28 inches to 36 inches)
This brand is not marketed for bodybuilders, but there some UK-based YouTube Fitness channels that feature try-on videos with the brand (for example, Brandon Harding and Joe Delaney).
Dress Shirts
Smart Super Stretch Button Shirt in Muscle Fit
51 U.S. Dollars
“High stretch dense mesh”
Casual Pants
Beige Spray-on Trousers
71 U.S. Dollars
“Signature four-way stretch”
The model on the product page is muscular and lean. Tree-trunk thighs likely would not fit or look awkward.
Harry Simonis, CEO and Founder of Tailored Athlete
The CEO (and founder) of Tailored Athlete is Harry Simonis. Harry started the brand in 2016 (when he was 22 years old) to serve athletes wanting better fitting shirts without having to go to the tailor. He explained his idea in creating his brand’s “true muscle fit”.
Working out of his bedroom at his motherās house in the United Kingdom, Simonis sourced hundreds of fabric samples, started sketching numerous new designs and began conducting market research on his own by measuring thousands of athletes at nearby gyms. āI got a lot of funny looks at first,ā the entrepreneur laughs. āSome people agreed, some thought I was mad.ā
However, it was through this arduous process that Simonis began to develop the āTrue Muscle Fitā – scientifically designed for their athletic physique.
Harry recorded a promotional video with Sergi Constance, an IFBB pro (mens physique) from Spain.
In addition, Harry recorded a video in 2020 to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the brand. He provided details from his life as well as his vision for the company.
Sizing
The sizing for Tailored Athlete shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest and waist. The sizes range from S to XXXL. For example, for a dress shirt, an XXL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 48 inch to 50-in chest and a 38-inch to 42-inch waist.
The dimensions favor a V-shaped torso. For more questions about fit, the reader can email a company representative. See also the brand’s size advisor (a button above the “add to cart” button).
Each product page has a photo of a bodybuilder and height, weight, and chest measurements.
The brand states that its shirts have a “true muscle fit,” which includes wider sleeves for bigger upper arms. Big arms of pro physique guys or open class bodybuilders may be too big for the sleeves, despite Tailored Athlete using stretchable performance fabrics for their clothes. I am thinking that fit, muscular guys (like the brand’s CEO, Harry) would be ideal for the dress shirts. (Examples are Kyle Hynick, Josh Riquelme, and Fraser Wilson.)
The brand explains that their jeans fit true to waist size and there is no need to size up for big thighs. The jeans seem like they can accommodate moderate muscular thighs (like Dan Tai, former pro rugby player and current CrossFit athlete).
Tree-trunk thighs would seem to be too big to fit. (The models on the product page do not have tree-trunk thighs like Regan Grimes.)
The clothing offered: dress pants, dress shirts, hats, and polo shirts.
The brand’s sizing guides for each product type are on the bottom-right of the webpage. The sizing shows that the clothes are made for guys with a lot of muscle (like a pro bodybuilder).
Dr. Brad Poppie, Founder of Bradley Allen
The founder of Bradley Allen is Dr. Brad Poppie. Dr. Poppie explained in a blog post why he started his brand.
Dr. Brad Poppie, serial entrepreneur and bodybuilder himself, founded Bradley Allen Apparel when he personally struggled to find dress clothing to fit his body type. The current athletics retail industry provides limited dress apparel options for fitting the muscular physique. By focusing on fit, feel and a polished professional look, Bradley Allen Apparel has created the best athletic fit dress shirt and pants on the market.
Sizing
The sizing for Bradley Allen shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest, arms, and weight. The brand’s clothes are meant for guys with huge physiques. The sizes range from middleweight (S) to super heavyweight (XL). The middleweight dimensions are as follows:
Chest: 40 inches to 43 inches
Arms: 16 inches to 17 inches
Weight: 175 pounds or fewer
Compare that to the heavyweight:
Chest: 47 inches to 50 inches
Arms: 18 inches to 19 inches
Weight: 200 pounds to 260 pounds
The sizing for Bradley Allen pants is based on a bodybuilder’s waist, thigh, and calf circumference.
There are three sizes, S, M, and L. The dimensions for M:
The brand’s sizing guides for each product type are on the bottom-right of the webpage. The sizing shows that the clothes are made for guys with a lot of muscle (like a pro bodybuilder).
The brand owner participates in CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting, which involves many leg exercises. He could not find jeans to accommodate his big thighs and also fit his lean waist. This experience was the motivation for starting Fran Denim.
This brand is not marketed for bodybuilders, but the owner seeks to make clothes that can accommodate muscular people with larger thighs. Tree-trunk thighs may be too large, but some muscular could find jeans with this brand.
The sizing for Fran Denim jeans is based on the waist circumference (30 inches to 38 inches with 2 inseams-31 inches and 34 inches). The brand explains that you can focus on the waist size only without making an adjustment for your thighs.
The sizing for Kojo Fit jeans is based on the waist circumference (28 inches to 36 inches with the inseam ranging from 28 inches to 30 inches). With the relatively low inseam options, the brand seems to be focused on shorter men.
Chino
Ultra Stretch Chino Pants
89 U.S. Dollars
Viscose, polyester, Elastane
The sizing for Kojo Fit pants is based on the waist circumference (28 inches to 36 inches with a 30-inch inseam). With the relatively low inseam options, the brand seems to be focused on shorter men.
The sizing for Olympvs shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest measurement. The sizes range from S to XXL. For example, for a dress shirt, an XXL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 46 inch to 48-in chest.
For Olympvs pants, the sizing is based on a bodybuilderās waist, hip, and thigh (leg-day loversā dream) measurements. For exampleā
Waist: 36 inches
Hip: 42 inches
Thigh: 26 inches to 30 inches
For more questions about fit, the reader can email or chat with a company representative.
Dress Shirt
The brand makes muscle-fit shirts (basically accommodating a v-tapered physique (wide shoulders and narrower waist). Its shirts are designed to be worn without a undershirt.
The sizing for Tailored Titan shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s height as well as chest, waist, and flexed-biceps measurements. The shirts have a small brand logo on the chest.
For more questions about fit, the reader can contact a company representative.
Dedicated weight training produced your muscular build. You should be able to find clothing that suits a more muscular physique. While you can go to a tailor for made-to-measure or bespoke clothing, those options can be hard on the wallet.
Fortunately, there are some brands available that offer essential clothing for muscular guys at a reasonably affordable price. These essential pieces can be assembled in multiple outfits. Are you a weight training enthusiast that loves leg day or a competitive physique athlete? Perhaps, you are a friend or significant other of a muscular guy. What has been your experience finding non-gym-related clothes that fit well? What brands work well? Tell me in the comments or by email.
Eduardo Fermin is a men’s fashion and physique portrait photographer located in Manhattan, New York City.
According to Eduardo’s website, he is from Venezuela, where he studied cinematography and worked in a theater for ten years. Eduardo was first a cook and waiter in New York City. Interested in his new city, he began taking photos with a cell phone.
Josh Riquelme, a fitness model from upstate New York, who moved to New York City, had a photo session with Eduardo.
Christian Rodriguez
The blog has discovered that the model in this photo shoot, Christian, suffered multiple fractures after falling (nearly six stories) from a fire escape in New York City on September 11, 2021. He was released from the hospital in late September and has a long recovery. Further details are available on a GoFundMe webpage.
Christian, a fitness model based in New York City, had a photo shoot with Eduardo. (Read more about falls from the fire escape in New York City.)
Philip Fusco
Philip Fusco, a longtime model, had a photo shoot with Eduardo. In a session that Men and Underwear Blog featured, Phil modeled Walking Jack underwear. (More photos of Phil are posted on Eduardo’s website.)
In an article with Fashionably Male blog, Phil discussed his Christmas-based photo shoot with Eduardo.
Phil posted a photo-shoot behind-the-scenes video on his YouTube channel.
Eduardo also composes his model photos using the beautiful City of New York as a backdrop. One location is at Times Square. (Note: I wrote a previous blog about Calvin Klein’s underwear billboards in this area.)
Eduardo’s photos are great and I wish him and his models great success. Have you enjoyed the models in this post? Is there another photo shoot that I missed? Please let me know in the comment section on through e-mail.
The desire today is to express one’s individuality through clothing. This desire extends to underwear. Many brands focus on creating basic, everyday men’s underwear, sold in department stores and online. It can get confusing to know that these brands are available, so I have tried to collect the brands into one post for your convenience.
The basic forms of men’s underwear are briefs, trunks, boxer briefs, and boxer shorts. (Read a separate blog post on the styles and types of men’s underwear for more information.)
Brands
Sold in Physical Stores (and Online)
PVH Corporation: Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger
Although Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger are separate brands, these brands have the same owner, PVH Corporation.
Calvin Klein started in New York in 1968. According to the PVH Corp. website, the Calvin Klein brand had US$9.4 billion in retail sales (2019). PVH Corp. acquired Calvin Klein in 2003.
Calvin Klein underwear ads were forward. (I did a blog post on Calvin Klein’s relationship in Times Square, New York City.)
Calvin Klein is sold to all men with all kinds of body types. Typical colors are black white and blue. There are reds and oranges in the lineup.
The Tommy Hilfiger brand started in 1985. It started as a department store brand. PVH Corp. acquired the brand in 2013.
Notably, Tommy Hilfiger brand has professional tennis player Rafael Nadal as a model for its clothing. The brand had US$9.2 billion in retail sales (2019).
Tommy Hilfiger brand underwear comes in solid colors or with printed designs.
