Roger Zacha, a personal trainer from Cyprus, is a physio student in The Netherlands and the model for Walking Jack´s photoshoot for the brand’s Ash Collection.
Roger previously had another photoshoot for Walking Jack’s Bluebird Collection.
The photographer, Louis C., is based in the United Kingdom and Cyprus.
With the pandemic, I was fortunate to have a full-time job that I could do from home. My employer is starting to make plans to open to a hybrid arrangement (part of the workweek at home and part of the workweek at the office).
While working from home, I did not have much need for the dress clothes that I wore to the office. I did not do telework in casual clothes, as I found that I could not get into work mode without dressing somewhat more formally than jeans and a t-shirt.
Now that I will return to an office commute (maybe?), I had an interest in refreshing my wardrobe. Perhaps, the reader is in the same position. First, I looked for pants. I tend to wear wool dress pants that I pair with a blazer or sports coat.
It is a neat outfit. However, rain can present a problem—soaking the wool and ruining the crease. This happened to me several times. While I will not give up on wool pants, I was searching for pants that are formal enough for the office and can deal with rain well.
I found a category of pants called men’s tech pants. The pants typically have cotton, some elastane for stretch, and polyester for some water resistance. I found several brands that sell this type of pants. Most are formal for a workday, and a few others have a casual design.
The brand, Tailored Athlete, focuses on athletes and people who love gym training. See the blog post on clothing for gym trainers for more information.
I also added two pants from Mott and Bow for comparison: The Everyday Chino and the Mercer Twill Denim. Both pants have mostly cotton with some elastane for stretch.
I ordered the Chino Charles to use as pants for work at home space and the Crosby jeans to have as another pair of jeans. According to the label in the chinos, they designed in New York and made in China.
The chinos feel soft to the touch. The pants are wider at the hips and become narrower at the calves and ankles.
I decided to try Mack Weldon’s Maverick Tech Chino. I was familiar with Mack Weldon through previous orders. I decided to try the Maverick Tech Chino because it was like the pants I had worn for work from home days (100 percent cotton). I bought the belt that Mack Weldon recommends for the pants. I wore the pants as some when I received them.
Despite the cotton in the pants, the fabric is a little stiff. (The pants get a little less stiff with wear.) They are comfortable for my sedentary job. While I planned to use the pants for work, I also wore them to the supermarket and the coffee shop.
The pants have been working well for me. I will likely buy another pair.
I needed to buy some pants to replace some wool pants that had reached the end of their usable life. I returned to the office for some days in the week. So, I was looking for clothes suitable for office wear with some contact with the public.
The wool-blend dress pants I wore to the office when there was an outdoor function. These pants were surprisingly comfortable. I will buy more of these.
Once during the summer, there was an unexpected rainstorm and I forgot my umbrella in the car. I quickly walked to the car and these pants were wet. However, with the air conditioning, the pants quickly dried out.
Pros and cons of 100 percent polyester pants
I have liked the Traveler Collection at Joseph A. Bank, but I noticed a recent change, the increase in synthetic material. In the performance pants version, the fabric used is 100 percent polyester. I am wary of 100 percent polyester, but the price was right, so I bought them. I miss the cotton-based version, though. (There is a golf chino that has a cotton-polyester blend, but the colors are more suitable for casual use.) That version I had bought for many years and had no complaints.
Pros
Cons
Durability and longevity
Lack of natural fibers and breathability
Wrinkle resistance and easy maintenance
Static cling and potential discomfort
Moisture-wicking and breathability
Environmental impact (e.g., reliance on fossil fuels, microplastic pollution)
Wide color and design options
Affordability
100 percent polyester? For dress pants, no.
Gym shorts have a 100 percent polyester. They are comfortable while exercising, but what about office clothing?
The feel of the Joseph A. Bank Traveler performance pants fabric is smooth, but in photos, there is a definite sheen on the pants. I am not a fan of these pants, as I love the wool and polyester version.
Brooks Brothers Performance Series Stretch Chinos
I am a fan of Brooks Brothers. I found that they have a pair of tech pants available, called the performance series stretch chinos. These pants have a higher price point, $148. The fabric composition of the pants is 59 percent cotton, 35 percent polyester, 6 percent elastane.
Conclusion
New pants to suit at-home or in-office wear. Also, they can be used for casual events.
Have any of the stretch chinos discussed interested you? If so, let us know in the comments. If you have any questions about these pants, please send a message or write a comment. I will try to answer it in the blog.
Note: Jordan decided to rebrand his store. Shortys Apparel is his former brand. Era Supply Co. is the new brand. I will revise this post when more information is available.
Jordan Morello is an online fitness coach, social media personality, cookbook author, and apparel brand owner, Era Supply Co.
According to an email announcement, the brand is closing on January 31, 2024. Jordan will be opening another, based on the explanation in the email and the name of the sale on the website (a “rebranding”).
Jordan decided to rebrand his store. Shortys Apparel is his former brand. Era Supply Co. is the new brand. I will update this post when more information is available.
Shortys Apparel sells–
swim shorts (Swims, Boardys)
gym or lounge shorts (Kickbacks, Trainers)
underwear
hoodies
t-shirts (Tee’s)
Jordan models his clothing while doing his workouts or other content.
Jordan decided to rebrand his store. Shortys Apparel is his former brand. Era Supply Co. is the new brand. I will update this post when more information is available.
Shortys Apparel is a brand to consider because you work with the owner directly.
In one of his videos, Jordan showed the room in his house where he stores his product for sales. He also shows where he packages an order for customers.
It is also good to see Jordan wear Shortys clothing as he does his day or workout tasks.
Models
Shortys has added other models to its social media. Aleksander Pacocha (aka Alek Maximus) is a bodybuilder and YouTuber. Haus of Love is a brand owner and content creator.
Conclusion
What color of Shortys boxer briefs was your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
Elton Pinto Mota, fitness model. Clothing, Father Sons
Introduction
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 competition—broad shoulders, thickly muscled back, lean waist (a V-shape), and well-developed legs—is a rare body type. So, outside of athletic clothing, it can be difficult to find clothing for non-gym activities—a date, a job, and so on.
(Fit guys like Josh Riquelme, Diego Sechi, 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.)
Fortunately, there are clothing brands that specialize in making clothes for muscular guys. The goals of this article are
To help the reader determine the right colors to pick for their skin tone.
To help the reader pick out wardrobe essentials that are easy to coordinate and easy on the wallet.
To compile the brands that provide clothing for bodybuilders for easy reference.
Note: While there are different levels of muscularity in a physique competition
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.
Andrei Gutierrez, a mens physique competitor from Aguascalientes, México. Photo by Chris Femat.
There are two types of undertones—cool 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.
Leather boots, dress shoes, white or black leather sneakers
Accessories
Watch, bracelet, leather belt
Denim Jeans for Muscular Thighs
Jordan Morello, a social media personality, online trainer, and owner of Shortys Apparel, enjoys leg day and built hard-won thigh and hip muscles. He tried on four pairs of denim jeans to see which pair suited his weight-trainer thighs the best.
Jordan ranked the jeans he modeled in the video as follows:
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.
IFBB Pro (Classic Physique) Laszlo Kiraly. Shirt. Tapered Menswear.
Dress shirt
White tapered fit shirt
55 Great Britain Pounds
96 percent cotton and 4 percent Elastane
Polo shirt
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. Muscle guys can avoid layering clothes. 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.
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 are some UK-based YouTube Fitness channels that feature try-on videos with the brand (for example, Brandon Harding and Joe Delaney).
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 mother’s 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. “I got a lot of funny looks at first,” the entrepreneur laughs. “Some people agreed, some thought I was mad.”
However, it was through this arduous process that Simonis began to develop the “True Muscle Fit” – scientifically designed for their athletic physique.
I found several interviews with Harry. One was with Jim Galvin, a UK military veteran and former Olympic athlete.
Also, 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.)
Model: Adrian Santos, wearing a Tailored Athlete polo shirt.
T-Shirt
Essential T-Shirt
45 U.S. Dollars
95 percent cotton, 5 percent Elastane
Denim Jeans
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).
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 builds 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 bodybuilder’s waist, hip, and thigh (leg-day lovers’ dream) measurements. For example—
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 an 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.
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.)
Model: Andrei Gutiérrez, a mens physique competitor and engineering student in Mexico. Nico Zetta, Argentina. Photo by Mano Martinez.Model: Clark Reid. Photographer: Carlos “Trey” Salazar.
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.
Bang and Strike started in 2006 as a retailer of men’s underwear. In 2019, the organization decided to focus on selling its stock of men’s basic underwear.
The focus of the brand is “to create a brand that had a familiar yet modern feel and that was uncomplicated, clean cut and aspirational. Underwear for guys that appreciate low key style.”
Stance started in 2009 with selling socks with vibrant colors and designs. Later, the brand offered boxer briefs and other clothing for sale. The brand offers two types of boxer briefs, one with an internal pouch (the “Wholester) and the boxer brief. The brand calls the fabric used to make its boxer briefs the “butter blend,” 66 percent modal, 26 percent lyocell, and 8 percent elastane.
Hanesbrands, Inc., owns three brands: Hanes, Champion, and Bonds (in Australia). The company started in 1901. The company notes that it manufactures 70 percent of the clothes it sells. The brand offers boxer briefs, boxer shorts, and briefs.
Jockey
Jockey started in 1876 and is based in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The brand’s underwear is sold in major department stores. The brand has a wide selection of underwear, from boxer briefs to thongs.
Fruit of the Loom
The Fruit of the Loom brand started in 1851. The company focused on producing textiles in Rhode Island. Later, the brand made underwear and other clothing. The company protected the brand name under trademark in 1871. The Berkshire Hathaway Group acquired the brand in 2002.
Muchachomalo
Muchachomalo is a brand based in the Netherlands. The brand name translates to “bad boy” in Spanish. The idea for the brand is to place art based on life and feelings on the underwear, suggesting that the bad boy wears underwear to be shown. The brand has solid colors for sale.
Adam Smith is a brand based in New York City. The creator is Yasemin De Mirci, who created underwear based on discussions with men explaining what they wanted in underwear.
The brand has several collections, each with its targeted style. In the Basic Collection, the brand offers boxer shorts, boxer trunks, briefs, and trunks.
The brand offers boxer briefs with a wide selection of designs. (The company sells socks as well.)
How often to change underwear?
Daily. Underwear and socks should be washed after each wearing.
How often should guys replace underwear?
Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap, has some top tips on when to replace items – not just for cleanliness, but also to get the best out of them.
He told Metro.co.uk: ‘Generally speaking, and this applies to any garment, how often you replace your underwear will depend on how many pieces you have in your rotation, how well made they are.
‘How well you care for them is also key. Don’t throw items away simply because you’ve read that they need replacing every year. You’ll save yourself a lot more money in the long run.’
Avoiding Fashion Waste: Recycling Used Underwear
The World Economic Forum encourages the recycling of washed, used underwear to address the issue of textile waste.
“What do you do with your unwanted underwear? Chances are you throw them away.
Now a clothing company in Philadelphia, US, says it’s time to stop casting our undergarments aside. About 5 million kilogrammes of unwanted underwear ends up in landfill sites across the US every day, according to The Big Favorite.
It says it’s bringing circularity to underwear – “the one category remaining that can’t be donated or resold” – by encouraging customers to return their old undies to the company for recycling instead of throwing them away.”
Conclusion
The market for men’s underwear is huge, with many brands available for purchase. Do you have a favorite brand? Write about it in the comments.
Andrew C. Morrill is a Texan who lives in New York City. Andrew was based in Hong Kong and London, United Kingdom for a few years. He had been in the modeling industry for over a decade.
Andrew is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified Personal Trainer.
I reviewed the Athletegy website while updating another blog post. I decided to purchase a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for a review. The sizing for the Quad Short runs from small to extra-large. I could not determine which size would fit me. I sent a question to the customer service about this. I received a reply from Andrew.
After reading Andrew’s email, I decided to try on the extra-large. I would guess the extra large would fit waists measuring 36-40 inches. I note that there is the brand offers a 14-day try-on period, so you could buy two sizes and return the one that does not fit. Also, I selected the large size for the Ace Tee.
The price for the clothing is on the high side (58 U.S. dollars for the Quad Short and the same price for the Ace Tee). The price is comparable to the pricing of other high-end workout shorts and t-shirts.
In addition, I have been a follower of Andrew’s social media, so I expect that (1) I am helping a small business with owners with whom I am familiar and (2) that I can communicate with them about purchase-related issues.
Inside is a white bag that contains the clothing that I ordered (wrapped in white tissue paper), a postcard (with a thank-you message from Andrew and Michael (a nice touch that is appreciated). As discussed earlier, there is a return label if the clothes do not fit.
The t-shirt fits well. The fabric is soft to the touch and is lightweight.
The shorts are mid-thigh on me. There is also a mesh material toward the top of the back of the shorts. I am guessing this feature is to allow better air circulation for runners. The shorts’ inner stitching and overall construction are neat and well done, as expected for the price point.
I used them for a home workout, which included deadlifts and dumbbell squats—the clothes allowed for a full range of motion during the training.
Takeaway
The clothes are well made and perform as advertised. In addition, you get to communicate with the owners who thank you for your business (a sadly rare business behavior). The price point is higher; however, the clothing should have a long life with high-quality and durable materials.
The brand explained that the brand will be adding more products for sale. I review them to see if I see other items I would buy.
Andrew has had several interviews over his career. Several of them have been with the Fashionably Male blog. Andrew also interviewed with the Men and Underwear blog.
Andrew mentions in his interviews that fans compliment him on his pectorals and thighs. (See other blog posts on leg-day shorts and 5-inch inseam shorts)
Andrew spoke with Willpower Magazine for an interview. Andrew discusses his start in fitness with school sports. Andrew started weight training in college. Over time, Andrew worked with a number of personal trainers; he felt he learned the exercises best when he taught himself.
Andrew’s notable muscle group is his thighs. He explained in the interview that he initially did not like having big thighs.
As a young man, I hated my muscular legs because they made it difficult to fit into clothes. It’s funny because now I think they are my best physical asset.
A lot of body development is accepting who and what you are and recognizing your own assets.
Read the rest of Andrew’s interview where he discusses his preparation for the NASM personal trainer exam and his workout and nutrition for maintaining his physique.
YouTube
Andrew did an interview with Flash Avenue Studio in London, UK.
Andrew has had a long career as a model and personal trainer. I hope that the clothing brand will add additional success. Also, congratulations on being a cancer survivor!
Any of Andrew’s photos are your favorite? Perhaps, you have tried his gym clothes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Ballistic Menswear is a Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based brand. Ballistic has underwear for sale now, but the brand plans to offer swimwear and gym wear for sale in the future.
Ballistic sells briefs and two types of boxer briefs: mesh and athletic. The size charts from Ballistic underwear is located conveniently on the product page.
The fabric composition (for the briefs and mesh boxer briefs) is 95 percent bamboo viscose and 5 percent Spandex. The boxer briefs have a mesh panel in the front; the athletic boxer briefs have solid fabric.
For the athletic boxer briefs, the fabric composition is 95 percent Polyester and 5 percent Spandex.
Ballistic Menswear uses Canada Post and DHL (outside Canada).
Payment Accepted
When I published this post, the brand accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and PayPal.
Conclusion
Ballistic Menswear daily underwear, with a little bit of daring (with the mesh underwear versions). With the nice selection of colors and good size range, many guys can find something they like.
I found some of Kyle Hynick‘s photos where he was wearing a big flannel shirt that had an embroidered logo and design on it. I discovered that the jacket is an overshirt.
Is the overshirt a good piece to add to a guy’s wardrobe or is it just a passing fad? The overshirt is a versatile part of a guy’s wardrobe. I can see why the garment has many fans.
The Cardigan Sweater
Way back, I loved cardigan sweaters with designs like some overshirts; sadly, this type of cardigan faded away. The overshirt could fill the place of the cardigan, at least for me.
What is an Overshirt?
According to the EQVVS website, an overshirt is a jacket with the design of a shirt. The overshirt comes in various styles (zip front, button front, with pockets or without pockets) and fabrics (cotton or nylon). The style is casual, but some of the overshirts have great colors making those pieces more polished. The overshirt is versatile to wear in all seasons, which is great for the Washington, D.C., area weather pattern.
In selecting an overshirt, it should be big enough to fit a sweater underneath the overshirt, but not supersized (unless that is the look you are going for).
The overshirt provides many options for creating an outfit. I am still learning how to create a great look. I look to YouTube videos to see what fashion bloggers recommend.
The first video is by Style by Dillan, who provides advice on creating a two to three-layered outfit.
In the second video, Devan on Deck styles overshirts for use in warmer climates or a transition from cold to warm weather. Devan also discusses how to use overshirts to introduce color to your outfit.
YouTuber Marcel Floruss, in the third video, demonstrates several overshirts, in a variety of fabrics.
Examples
Kyle Hynick
Instagram influencer, Kyle Hynick, started a page where he wears different outfits. In the photos with overshirts, Kyle wears flannel shirts with customized embroidery and plaid jackets. He wears an overshirt with a graphic tee and cargo pants or jeans. It is a well-styled, relaxed rugged combination, perfect for weeknights or weekends.
Celestial City
Celestial City is a small business located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Celestial City’s owner lives in Halifax.
The brand sells embroidered sweatshirts, as Kyle is wearing one. The brand also provides for custom embroidery requests. (Check the website for more details.)
Represent
Represent is a luxury streetwear brand based in Great Britain. George and Michael Heaton, brothers, own Represent.
Several of Kyle’s outfits have a graphic t-shirt, jacket, hoodie, overshirt, and cargo pants from the brand.
Overshirt Brands
In researching this article, I became interested in the style, as I used to love cardigans with a design on them. While looking on Pinterest for Overshirt examples, I found a great-looking overshirt from Percival. I liked the overshirt’s look (flannel work shirt, hazel mini hound), but I wanted to learn more about the company.
Percival is a Great Britain brand located in Hackney. The brand strives to combine a “British sense of understated style and rare, internationally-sourced fabrics and materials.” A group of five operates the business.
I emailed the company with a sizing question about another coat and received a reply. (I decided to look for an overshirt because I have several coats already. The size information was valuable.)
I found a wool work shirt (midnight and espresso windowpane). I decided to buy it. (Note: this style may not be available; other styles are.)
The order process was smooth. I will update the post with details about the delivery and fit.
Order Review
My order was mailed on January 25 from the United Kingdom and arrived at my home in the United States (through DHL (20 GBP)) on January 27. The shipping is pricey, but I appreciate more the delivery speed.
I am impressed with how neatly the order was packed in the mail bag. The order arrived in a black mail bag. Inside the work shirt was within a cloth bag with the Percival logo. There was an envelope with return information if needed.
The work shirt is made of wool but is not overly heavy. (I love my cashmere overcoat–warm and light–so I pay attention to a jacket’s weight.) There is a lining in the sleeves.
I am happy with my purchase, and I will keep looking on the website for other pieces to buy.
Conclusion
The overshirt is a versatile part of a guy’s wardrobe. I hope that this article is also a benefit for you, the reader. (I will update this post with further examples.)
Would you consider buying an overshirt? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or by email.
Aggelos Pirikkis is a personal trainer and model who lives in Cyprus. He had a photoshoot with Canthos Studio for Walking Jack, a men’s underwear brand based in Greece.
(The underwear is manufactured in Portugal. Read more about Walking Jack on its website.)
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