I look in the mirror and sigh.
My reflection doesn't look like me - it looks more like a potato sack with arms and legs sticking out the sides, the expression on my face a mix of pity and despair.
Nothing I try on at the store fits. Nothing has fit me for years, in fact. Being 6'4" and 210lbs. makes shopping just a little difficult (and that's an understatement).
"It doesn't look too bad," Erica says from over my shoulder. My poor, loving wife has been trying to compliment my ill-fitting outfits for years - it's a wonder she hasn't tired out from hunting for positive things to say.
"Don't lie," I chuckle, straightening the shirt across my chest. It looks baggy on my thin build and the wrinkles jump right back into place.
She sighs. "It looks way better than that shirt I got you for Christmas last year," she says.
I laugh. In her humble attempt to find me something I'd wear, she bought me an XXL - hoping it would fit my tall torso. Alas, while the height finally covered me, it fit like a box, flaps hanging on the sides... I looked like a disturbed flying squirrel.
"I don't think we can find anything worse," I say, smiling over at her.
She laughs. "You looked like you were wearing a trash bag."
"Oh believe me," I say. "It's drilled into my memory. Unfortunately."
She's right though. Among the "big and tall" styles I've come to loathe, this shirt isn't too bad. It'll have to do for now. I peel it off and drop it in the cart. "Another day, another shirt that makes me look like a scrawny 12 year old."
"Oh Cory," Erica laughs and rubs my shoulder. "You look great no matter what you wear."
1 Year Later...
It's Christmas day, just after noon.
Littered across the living room floor are bunches of torn wrapping paper and discarded toy packages. The kids just finished opening their big gift - a new Xbox - and immediately ran to the basement to start playing their favorite game.
I pick my way across the wreckage and start bagging the mess. As I reach for an opened box, I feel a hand on my back.
"Honey, I have one more gift for you."
I turn. Erica's standing there, holding a small box wrapped in brown paper with gold dots. She hands it to me with wide eyes.
"I didn't realize there was more," I smile, sitting down on the couch. "Thank you."
"Open it," she murmurs.
I tug at the corner of her beautiful wrapping job and start peeling away. I open the box to find a shirt folded neatly inside, royal blue - my favorite color.
"Look," she says as I lift the shirt from the box, "I know it's tough to find you clothing that fits, but this time it's different. I found this company - they make clothes for tall guys who are thinner too - like you. I figured it's worth a shot."
The shirt does look slim - a lot slimmer than the ones I'm used to. For the first time, I don't feel dread to try it on. I look over at my wife. "Thank you, hon. I love it."
The Next Day...
Erica and I schedule date nights every other week, and this time it happened to land on the 26th. We were both burnt out from holiday craziness, but I was looking forward to spending some alone time with her. Plus, it gave me a great excuse to wear my new shirt for the first time.
Maybe it was the business of Christmas, maybe I was nervous to disappoint Erica, but I hadn't tried on the shirt yet. I promised her today I'd wear it.
So now I stood in front of our bedroom mirror, looking down at the blue shirt in my hands. Our babysitter was 5 minutes out.
I take a deep breath and pull the shirt over my head. Then I look back in the mirror.
And...
It didn't wrinkle. It didn't bunch up around the sides. I blinked at the long sleeves - they reached all the way to my wrists, as if they were tailored to fit me.
"What is this sorcery..." I laughed to myself as I looked at a reflection I liked for the first time in years.
Suddenly, Erica came out of the bathroom wearing a stunning dress, struggling to stick her left earring in. She stopped dead in her tracks as she spotted me in the mirror.
"Cory," she said. "Corry that fits you perfectly."
I look back down at myself. I really does. I'm shocked.
"You look great," she says, coming up to me and brushing her hands over my shoulders. "I told you I'd find something that fits!"
Five minutes later we're waving goodbye to the kids and hopping in my truck. As we run out the door, Erica runs to the garage and grabs our spare mop handle on the way.
"What's that for?" I ask, laughing at the sheer joy in her eyes.
She laughed as she tossed it in my truck bed. "To beat the broads off that see you in that shirt!" She smirked.
Cory's Testimony:
Okay, the story above is an adaptation, but the facts are true. Here's the real Cory's testimony"
"It's too bad it took me 3.5 decades to find a shirt that would fit a tall guy and not show my treasure trail. Everything from the store is like a sack of potatoes for the fat guy. Until now, all I could find were bodybuilder shirts that were marginal at best. Finally a super comfy good looking tee that fits me at 6'4" 210lbs.
Even the wife is jealous, she tossed a mop handle in the back of the truck when we went out over the weekend. When I asked what it was for she said "to beat the broads off that see you in that shirt!"
At the end of the day, you deserve clothing that fits and flatters you, and it's our mission at TallSlim Tees to find you clothing that fits. Give us a try - it might just change your life;)
Check out a few of our best selling styles below - they're the perfect place to start!
^^ Perfect for cold weather, our Tall Long Sleeves are comfortable, stylish, and have sleeve that will finally fit your arms! Order here.
^^ Looking for a touch of class? Our Tall Polos are perfect for the holidays and feel just as comfortable as a t-shirt. Order here!
^^ We've got pants too;) Breathable yet insulating and designed to hug all the right areas, our Tall Joggers are meant for you. Order here!
