XS

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I went to the Gap a couple of weeks ago to buy some new clothes. I left with only a ribbed white t-shirt and a package of briefs, because those were the only things in the entire store that were small enough for me. (Please note that when I’m referring to briefs being small enough for me, I’m referring to waist size.)

On my receipt was a number to call so I could participate in a Gap survey and thereby get 10 percent off my next in-store purchase. I finally called the number yesterday. A nice Valley girl in California read through the questions, and I gave my responses in the form of a number between one and five — the more I agreed with the statement, the higher the number I was to give. I gave fives for courtesy of the sales staff, helpfulness, friendliness, help in finding what I needed, time waiting to check out. But for overall satisfaction of my visit, I gave a three.

I’m 5 foot 6 and weigh 125 pounds, and my size is an inconvenience when I shop for clothes — especially since I’m a gay man and must therefore wear clothes that are a little tight-fitting and not too big on me. The only shirts from the Gap that truly fit me are XS (extra small), but although they sell that size online, they rarely sell it in the stores. They’ve got S, M, L, XL, and XXL (and maybe XXXL, I’m not sure). It pisses me off that such a large percentage of the American population is overweight or obese these days that stores have no problem stocking their shelves with XL or XXL but don’t feel the need to make it convenient for us XS guys to find what we need. In jeans I should probably wear 30×28 or 29×28, but Gap rarely has those in the store either.

After we finished the survey questions, I was allowed to give comments, so I mentioned this. The Valley girl was sympathetic, and she offered to check the Gap database to see if there were other stores near me that carried XS. She checked, and there weren’t. And we’re talking about Manhattan. Now, I can totally buy my size online, but I’m more of an impulse buyer when it comes to clothing. Oh, well.

It’s not just the Gap. On my birthday last year, my dad decided that at some point during the day, he was going to take me to Bloomingdale’s to buy me a new suit. We combed through the racks and couldn’t find a 38 Short anywhere. Next time I go suit-shopping I’ll probably try the Boys’ Department.

I need to expand my wardrobe anyway. I checked out Express (formerly Structure) recently, and they didn’t have much that I like. People keep telling me to check out H&M or Century 21, so I think I’ll do that — if they have anything that fits me.

Or maybe I’ll just open a clothing store for little guys like me.

While I’m on the subject — seriously, can anyone recommend a nice-fitting brand of jeans?

10 thoughts on “XS”

  1. I completely understand what you go through when you shop. I’m about 5’4″ and finding anything to fit is a real biotch. Gap, Banana Republic, and Express Men have stuff, but it’s finding it before everyone else that’s a real pain. Not to say that everyone’s short down here (lexington, ky), but I’d guess average height is 5’7″ to 5″10.. so smalls go fast.

  2. Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?

    I’m 5’11″/220#, and have trouble finding shirts which fit me when I go clothes-shopping. In t-shirts, I generally wear a XXL (because XLs shrink too small in the wash), and have the damnedest time finding them – and if I do find them, they’re almost always more expensive than the “regular” (S-M-L-XL) sizes. I usually wear a 36/34 pant, and damned if no one seems to stock that size, either.

    Maybe we’d have better luck if we started shopping for each other?

  3. Addendum:

    Gay or not (and I most certainly am), I don’t do tight-fitting. I’m not a “tight” kind of fellow. I’m going to dress for comfort, and if my fellow ‘mos can’t handle it, tough.

  4. I’m 5’2″ and yes my eyes are blue and boy do I understand the problems finding decent clothes to wear. My build is stockier so wide enough shoulder and large enough chest with shorter sleeve length is always a problem I’ve always had good luck at the Gap with small sizes and they are one of the few places that carry a 29×28 pant, my size as well.Did you get the “summer” boxers at 2/3 off? As for jeans forget the fashionistas, and if your not completly buttless nothing is hotter then the classic levis 501 well worn,and with your new white tee ,all the boys will be sniffing around….Bill

  6. I have a similar problem, but in tall sizes. I’m a little long in the arms and torso and need shirts that have a bit of length. Whenever I’m lucky enough to find a place that sells them, I purchase an XL tall — large sizes shrink, and if I was built like a steroid case it would probably look extremely gay/tight/hot on me. Unfortunately, I am not a steroid case (average build). However, clothing manufacturers tend to think that if you by an XLT shirt, that not only means that you’re tall but FAT. I’m always swimming in them. And if you try shopping in a “tall sizes” store… let’s just say that contemporary fashion is not a concern. Every casual shirt they sell looks like something out of a bad guido suburb bar from the 80s. Target used to sell XS and tall sizes (especially these wonderful color and white heavier cotton t-shirts that I always wore in cooler weather), but unfortunately some moron decided that there were only standard-sized people left on the planet and they’ve discontinued anything but these sizes (as well as the cotton content). Bastard. The Gap and Old Navy are also useless when it comes to any sizes other than medium and “slightly less than medium” and “slightly more than medium”. The only place I’ve had any decent luck is Eddie Bauer. You might want to try them, since I’ve seen XS sizes here in their Chicago stores in the past.

  8. Oh, god, I hear ya. I can never find XS in stock at the Gap. (Also, why is it that they place the smallest size pants at the very top of the shelves, practically out of reach of the very people who need them? Makes no sense. I e-mailed Gap corporate about it a while ago, and got a canned response.) And a couple seasons ago, Banana Republic stopped making its coats (which I love) in XS. Sigh. Do check out H&M. The selection can be hit or miss, but I usually do end up finding something there that fits well, and more quirky, less bland than the usual Gap fare. Yes, please open a store for guys like us. I’d be first in line. ;)

  9. I’m 5’9″ 160# so I generally don’t have much of a problem finding things that fit. The problem is that Gap never has anything I want. That was until a friend who’s a little taller than I pointed out that he was wearing an XXL Gap Kids shirt! Next time I went in I bought to very sassy little numbers and they were only $10 each.

    My friend who works for Gap says that when the new season arrives is generally best since all the gay boys who work in the store snap up all the boys XL & XXL. Unfortunately I don’t think it works for pants.

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