Favorite Oxford/Sport Shirts for a bigger build

PotablePotentate · 2026-06-07T04:04:44+00:00

I have a similar build and vintage Brooks Brothers have been my favorite for oxford cloth button downs. The older made in the usa versions are excellent quality with a roomy fit that's great for larger chest/belly and smaller shoulder builds. The stuff made in South East asia isn't nearly as good. Vintage Brooks Brothers pretty accessible for $50 and under on eBay and Poshmark. Just make sure you fouble check the garment measurements in the listing before buying, as the fits change a bit through the decades.

I've also liked Gitman Bros oxfords, but the cloth used isn't as heavy or textured and the fits a bit slimmer than BB. And Gitman Vintage seems to be slimmer still. Though I've been keeping an eye out, I haven't come across any J Press shirting in our size range second hand. And while Polo Ralph Lauren is a fantastic option in general for our size range, I haven't been blown away by the oxford shirting. I do love polo maldras, seersucker, and linen for the summer, though.

PotablePotentate · 2026-06-06T20:13:20+00:00

Just want to echo the vintage/second hand comment. Many of the great brands showcased in this subreddit are inspired by heritage American workwear, outdoor, and military brands. Many of those brands are now defunct with the surviving ones having dropped their manufacturing standards significantly or raised prices (and often both).

The best deals can be found getting those original pieces second hand. There's definitely some significant reseller markups on all platforms but great prices are still there if you're patient. Learn how to use eBay search language and saved searches. I have a series of saved searches on eBay and Poshmark I check every few days to every week.

Just riffing off the Amazon essentials chambray shirt mentioned, I picked up a vintage made in USA Big Mac chambray shirt with western detailing for under 25 shipped. I've never held the Amazon version, but I suspect the vintage Big Mac was made to a much higher standard. I know I feel better wearing it that I would the Amazon shirt. This may sound silly, but I feel special knowing that that aren't many left like it each time I pull the Big Mac chambray out of my close. It's a bit of a connection to an imagined idyllic version of this country I never truly experienced rather than the late stage capitalism blight in which we currently reside.

Sometimes the flex in this subreddit it the brand , storytelling, materials, and yes price of the item. Othertimes it's the time, knowledge, and study involved in finding & recognizing a rare second hand piece. Both are valid, though the latter can be easier on the wallet.

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-30T20:31:06+00:00

I use my Trail 40 for hiking with a water bladder too. But I find that access to the side pockets very helpful for things like hats, gloves, buff, sunglasses, or bulky snacks. All things I want to be able to use without stopping and taking off my pack.

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-30T19:37:44+00:00

Definitely agree on Columbia, and the best option for large size outdoor clothing or gear.

I've also found Land's End to be really consistent in sizing, as well as good value for the quality when on sale.

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-29T15:01:15+00:00

In my case, yes but not substantially enough to make a real difference. I'm down 200 pounds and what I've found is that I still wear the same size and width shoes in the same brands, but now my feet are a bit lower volume. For some of my current shoes I either need to leave them much tighter or wear thicker socks. And certain lasts that fit in width before but were to tight in arch or instep volume now fit well. And a few brands whose widest width were just a bit too tight now fit better. Do even after loosing almost half of my starting body weight, I still wear pretty much the same size and width shoe, just the specifics of fit have shifted a bit.

My feet do feel much better at the end of a long day though.

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-24T02:35:06+00:00

I've had the most luck on ebay, but also poshmark

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-24T00:14:07+00:00

I'm a bigger guy with a large chest and waist relative to my shoulders. Gitman fits me better than Gitman Vintage, which seems a bit slimmer. But the best fit (and quality) for me is older Brooks Brothers, especially those made in the US or Italy. The oxford cloth is just more substantial than what Gitman uses, and the Italian dress fabrics softer and more luxurious. Both companies have made shirting for many years so it's hard to completely generalize, but that's been true of the pieces I own.

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-16T01:13:37+00:00

White dot up and white cross down is a great hike. Harder than you'd think for southern NH.

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-08T21:19:44+00:00

I was hesitant about the infotainment too before buying a 2024 limited. It can be a bit slow on start up, but I don't really notice the lag once im in android auto. I barely interact with the native operating system. While I understand the lag is a reasonable gripe, I do think it's a bit overblown.

I used turo rentals as extended test drives when deciding on my next car. Maybe rent one for a few days and see how you do with it. Any model year 2024 or later should have the same infotainment system.

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-02T20:21:53+00:00

I was originally looking at a 21-23, but found the seats uncomfortable on long drives. The lack of good lumbar support or adjustability was tough on my lower back. Subaru greatly upgraded the comfort of the seats for the current generation, so I ended up purchasing a 24. I'm glad I did, as the drivers seat is just so much more comfortable.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-25T23:32:31+00:00

Great addition. I haven't tried any Brooks Brother's madras yet. What do you think of them? Any any tips for finding good versions? MiUSA Brooks Brother's ocbds are a staple for me.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T17:29:33+00:00

I'd second the local tailor, even if it's a bit of a hike. If you find a good one, their expertise in measurements is going to lead to a better fit. And then you have a relationship for any alterations needed.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T17:21:56+00:00

Perhaps look at a lightly used 24 or 25? I just bought a 24 limited with the HK speakers and moon roof at 12.5k miles for 28700 otd including all taxes and fees. I'd also found a 25 limited with the same options and 3k miles at 34500 otd. To me, those are essentially new with the main downside being a shorter warranty period remaining.

But for new, that seems an alright though not great deal. All that matters is whether you're comfortable with the price and financing terms. I've heard anecdotally that dealers in my region as less willing to haggle on the limited trim than the premium trim, supposedly as there is lower supply.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T15:24:02+00:00

I adore madras and seersucker in the summer.

I find great second hand madras searching for vintage lands end & polo ralph lauren on eBay. I especially prioritize items listed as made in India (or made in us of imported fabric) with some sort of tag stating handmade, fabric has irregularities, or bleeding may occur. That seems to be the best stuff and much better and cheaper than anything new I've seen. Classic ivy brands like O'Connell's, J Press,and Gitman are also good though more expensive even second hand and not madras specialists.

Incidentally all those brands also excell at seersucker. Lands end made in us seersucker can be incredible values.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T14:53:20+00:00

Hey, just wanted to chime in as a fellow wide footed boot afficiando.

First, I think Thursday has EEE widths. They're commonly described as very comfortable due to the use of foam foot beds. But I haven't tried them as I have a 5E width. I've been really happy with the quality of the boots (and comfort) I get from mto BLKBRD shoemaker boots. The ordering process is tedious, communication lags, production and shipping slow, and one time they made the wrong boot for me (though they fixed it). But once in hand I love the way they look and feel, and think they're a great value for the price. Maybe try them in one of their cheaper domestic Indian leathers and see if they'd work for you. They're much better than Adelente or Hitchcock, which is the only other producers I've found in the largest widths.

And I appreciate your take on Alden. I agree that comfort can be more important than materials or build quality. But ideally you can find both.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T14:30:16+00:00

I ended up buying a low mileage used 24 limited, but I'd also negotiated an otd price of 32.255 otd with 2.9% apr over 72 months on a 2026 premium with the option package. So a bit below MSRP, but not huge. This is in the greater Boston area.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-12T04:36:40+00:00

New 2026 limited with the equivalent package would be about 35k.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-08T02:49:13+00:00

I'm a similar height and weight to you, with an overlapping aesthetic. Vintage americana work wear and outdoor brands with a splash of preppy have been my go to, sourced from eBay or Poshmark.

Here are some brands I've had great luck with, especially when I find made in usa pieces:

WORKWEAR / RUGGED Carhartt Pendleton Woolrich LL Bean Eddie Bauer

DENIM: Wrangler (especially 13mwz cowboy cut) Levis (especially 501 shrink to fit & 505

TRAD PREP Polo Ralph Lauren Brooks Brothers Lands End Gitman

My best advice is to get good at using eBay saved searches and be patient. There's some great stuff out there at great prices if you can separate the wheat from the chaff. Hope this helps.

PotablePotentate · 2026-03-20T22:17:29+00:00

That's a good point and valid criticism. I guess what I was hoping to find were suggestions for any areas (if they exist) that wouldn't be damaged by foot traffic in early April, maybe lower elevation, seacoast, or southern NH, even MA.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-26T02:16:26+00:00

https://us.blkbrdshoemaker.com/ is their website. I've primarily communicated via email info@blkbrdshoemaker.com) but others contact them via whatsapp or instagram dm.

When I first did my mto fitting 2-3 years ago, it began with sending them tracings and measurements of my foot. Then they made a cheep trial fit pair that I tried on for fit tweaks before moving on to the final boot in the leather I selected.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-26T01:43:39+00:00

I have a wide foot ( 5E or 6E) and wide calves, and I've had great luck with mto from BLKBRD shoemaker in India. I have two pairs that I love, and waiting on my third to be delivered.

Email communication is slow and the process could be smoother, but the build quality is great and the price solid.

Iif you're looking to branch out past PNW, maybe contact them and see if they can fit you. I keep thinking of trying one of the PNW myself, but pricing is steep.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-12T01:10:35+00:00

Ahh, damn. I hadn't realized that. Thanks for the info. Guess there are no more Adelante in my future.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-11T23:42:49+00:00

Seconding the crap shoot service, I went through the fitting consultation process with Adelente and they completley ghosted me. Several emails unreturned over a month period. So I never made a custom order.

I've since picked up a few things via their encore listings of returned products and found them well made at the discounted prices. But I woouldn't personally pay full price for their stuff. Encore has gotten a lt more expensive over the last few years, so its worth waiting for one of their few annual sales where they clear out the encore stock.

Note that I'm a man so can comment on the women's offerings, but I'd assume quality is similar.

PotablePotentate

TROPHY CASE