Since no one is talking about it, I have made it my responsibility to share my experience shopping for clothes for my male body, which is not only long and slim but also has a short torso and long limbs. It has been and still is a challenge to find clothing that is flattering for my body. Here is how I shop from well-known companies:
Asos…
Dark Khaki Green Cardigan Here//Dickies Striped Trousers Here//Beige Joggers Here//Black V-Neck Vest Here//
I have been shopping from this retailer since 2010, and there are items I only purchase from them because I know they will be a success. One of these items is bottoms, ranging from sweatpants to trousers. They have many different styles on their website, which is probably why the brand is as big as it is, and it’s also very affordable. The reason I love Asos for bottoms is that they have tapped into a market that not many retailers have: clothing for tall people. I have always had an issue finding bottoms that are the right length with a flattering fit around the hips. The brand also provides bottoms that not only fit me but also come in lengths that I wouldn’t even need, even for an oversized fit. Their tall collection also includes t-shirts, long sleeves, and more. It’s for sure my number one destination for basics. Asos as a fashion brand is, in my opinion, very underrated. The only thing the brand could improve is their bags. To be quite honest, their bags are hideous. Nothing will ever make me spend a dime on them. They always have bad stitching, and the material always looks cheap.
Zara…
Beige Leather Bag HERE//Black Shopper Bag//Beige Leather Sandals Here//Woven Hat Here//
I’m going to keep it short for this section; we all know this brand. My perfume collection (which is at three perfumes and one all-over body spray), bags, shoes, coats, and some jewelry make up almost 70% of my closet. Besides the aesthetics of this brand, I find that the quality of clothes is worth the price. Many brands at the same price point can’t compete with the quality. One of my favorite things to purchase from this brand is their bags. They really hit the nail on the head with that one. Zara has a big range of options, and their leather bags always perform really well. It was only last summer that I threw out a weekend leather bag that I had for more than 10 years. If it wasn’t for the one handle hanging by a thread and the discoloration of the black leather, this bag would still be in great shape. My current weekend bag, which I purchased last summer, has been one of my favorite purchases in the past 12 months. It’s made of fake leather, which you can’t even tell. Another thing Zara does really well is producing fake leather that doesn’t have a cheap and unflattering appeal. Their jewelry is nothing to be impressed by, but if you like your basics and want them to have some longevity, the brand is good for that as well. My favorite shoes and sandals that I have ever owned have all been from Zara. As much as social media wants me to hate this brand for the right reasons, I know that the certain items that make me excited are the only ones they will produce at that price range.
Shein…
Yellow Frame Sunglasses Here//Brown Framed Sunglasses Here// Rose Bracelet Here//Gold Necklace Here//
This is one of those few coincidences where I have been influenced to make a purchase, not because of a certain item but due to the numerous big hauls of Shein during lockdown that gave me FOMO in the long run. I might purchase from other big fast fashion brands, but I think the little amount of clothing I purchase each year, plus the quality of clothes, made me believe that I was superior, which is why I never purchased from the brand. But as time has passed and I’ve seen how all these smaller fashion brands, as well as the big ones, are as bad as Shein, I honestly can’t tell why I shouldn’t purchase from this brand. Just have a look on TikTok. Many brands use the same manufacturers as Shein.
There is definitely a bigger risk purchasing from this brand, especially items that don’t have any reviews (customer images) yet. You never really know if the image is going to match the actual product.
But here are some items I would purchase again after receiving my one package. Their sunglasses come in nice quality for a really cheap price, and the designs are unlimited. Plus, each pair comes with its own case and cloth. I purchased two filter bags in a boxy design for a really cheap price, shocker, which could keep up with heavy items. The one piece of clothing I purchased wasn’t that impressive, but I think I didn’t do enough research on the item before purchasing. Based on what I have seen on social media, there are chances of finding some really good items. I will for sure try again when I get the urge to splurge.
Primark…
There is not much to say about this brand, but they do make some nice basic underwear, boxers, tank tops, and t-shirts for running. I wouldn’t really spend my money on anything else from this brand. Their designs have never had as much variety as Shein.
Luckily, I’m self-aware, so I know how to control myself when it comes to spending money on clothing. But I for sure lose it now and then when I just need one item; two other items easily get added to the basket. If it’s not clothing, my spending usually jumps to something else, such as skincare, haircare, and decor. I might actually not have that much self-awareness, but more of an awareness of my spending. Something…