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I've been lifting weights consistently for almost a year now, 3 months of Starting Strength, 8 months of 5/3/1, and a month of PSMF. In the past 3 months, my size gains have slowed to almost nothing (not complaining, I got bigger than I ever thought I would get). I'm not planning any sort of bulk or bodybuilding sort of workout, but I do plan on continuing to do 5/3/1 2 days a week. Would it be safe to assume that I'm finally ready to get that tailored suit I promised myself I would get when I got fit? My fear is that I'll spend the money and just keep getting bigger and bigger. Should I just add an inch to my shoulder measurement to be safe?

Hrmmm

Height 5'6 Weight 165 Bodyfat % after PSMF: 8-9%*

  • (based on Lyle McDonald's forum, Bodybuilding.com forum, and skin calipers)
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5'6". 165lbs, and 8.5% body fat? I think that makes you the most jacked person on this entire site. – alligator Feb 16 at 22:07

4 Answers

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I work in bespoke tailoring. Did a suit for a bodybuilder once, and it was a total nightmare because he would change so much between fittings

My advice - you can take in shoulders up to 1", however, it is an expensive alteration to have done and isn't great for the look of the suit. You can let bicep out up to half an inch, and you can let the chest out ONLY at the back, so if your pectorals get bigger then you're a little screwed

Wait til you're stable and then get a suit with soft shoulder construction, eg. Neapolitan or Italian cut, and get the shoulders cut quite close in. This works better on rounded, muscular shoulders than English cuts with bigger shoulder pads, as with this style, to get a smooth line on muscular shoulders, you have to make the shoulder large and there is not much room for error.

Also, make sure you get a floating, not fused canvas. Try and get the tailor to get the chest canvas on the bias rather than on the straight, it will make the suit more flexible

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wow nice advice – Justin Feb 16 at 22:07
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I would say maybe just try doing 5/3/1 2 days a week for a few weeks and get a body tape measure. Measure yourself daily for a few weeks, note changes or lac of, then tailor the workouts from there. If you notice you're growing then you could try adding some aerobic training to keep about the same size. Once you seem to stable out, then go get yourself that suit.

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I completely agree. You can still fluctuate enough now to where the tailored suit may not fit like it did the day you came home with it.

Also, what's your diet?

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How often will you wear it? Try it on a couple days ahead of time. If it's too small, cut back on your carbs and sodium for a couple days.

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