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RollingStone · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 138

I am 6`3" 230 lbs. I lift weights so have the typical wide shoulder, thick back/chest physique. I have problems finding selection in Canada for dress shirts and business casual shirts (most manufacturers evidently think that if you have width you must be fat so the neck size is always two sizes too big). What are the odds of find clothes that fit me in Japan? Between rare to none at all?

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

If you can find someone who reads Japanese, there are now plenty of online vendors that carry "B&T" sizes in Japan. I just ran search; a lot of results came up. If you're going to be in an urban setting, I think you'll find brick and mortar stores carrying larger sizes, too. Myself, even in the U.S., I have always had a hard time getting shirts with a neck that is big enough. But if you've had the opposite problem, maybe you'll be okay. Of course, many North American catalog retailers will delivery to Japan; you pay for the S&H, though.
My advice: bring ample pants -pants are always hardest to get right, especially if ordering by catalog. For dress shirts and casual shirts, you should be able to find what you need online. For just t-shirts, I'm practically guaranteeing you'll have no problem. And if you're in an urban setting, eventually you'll find actual shops that cater to larger bodies.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

If you have trouble finding stuff in Canada, you'll find it even tougher in Japan. Shoulder widths and sleeve lengths are smaller. Be careful, but you can find a few "big and tall" shops around. It may just be more prudent to stock up at home first.

Same for shoes.

RollingStone · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 138

RollingStone · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 138

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

I don't know if you can read Japanese, or not. But here are two sample sites I found, just to give you an idea. The first is a web page from one Japanese B &T clothing manufacturer, called MANCHES. This particular page lists retailers which carry MANCHES' merchandise. But what's then good about these retailers, is that most of them are B&T specialty stores. So once you find a particular store, you'll have other B&T brands to choose from, as well.

The second site is actually one of those retailers showing a page for MANCHES shirts. At the bottom of the page is a size chart ( in order: sleeve length, chest size, body of shirt length, neck). I'm pretty stout myself (49"/125cm chest, 19"/48cm neck), but I'd comfortably fit into their "smaller" sizes.
And by shopping around, you should be able to do a little better than the pricing shown on this page.

http://www.bigsize.com/storelocator/#area3

http://www.bigsize.jp/item/detail.php?item_key=575325&item_color=1

RollingStone · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 138

Hey thanks JL!

Will definitely check out the links. My girlfriend is Japanese, so will get her to do some translating for me.

elkarlo · Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 240 Location: Maryland

I'm brining all the pants that I will ever need. I am 5'7" and about 185lbs. That means I have a 36 waist and 30 well actually 28 inseam. That makes pants hard to find in America, let alone Japan. Same with nice shirts. I have to really look for a decent collared shirt.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

[quote="RollingStone"]

japancube · Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Australia

Hey man, I am about your size minus a few pounds but add an inch in height. I had a very tough time finding clothing even in large cities. Dress shirts are impossible to come by. I actually had a few tailored to fit me.
I guess what I am trying to say is; STOCK UP! Have fun. Cube

RollingStone · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 138

THanks to all for feedback. It has been very helpful.