If you’re like me, you’re not someone that has a beer gut, or even a mild gut, in fact you have a totally flat stomach, that may even have a six pack. I don’t have a six pack, but definitely a flat stomach. It seems that the cut of jackets and pants penalizes those of us with such a body type. The result...a Unaboob. 

That’s right, a patch of material rises up in the sternum area because of the extra material present to account for having a belly. That’s bullshit in my opinion, because sure, many of us males, especially those getting on in years (which I am) have a beer belly (which I do not). But why should the rest of us look like we have some baggy shitty fitting clothing when we spent the same $300 on a jacket?!  (I never spend full retail price - there’s always a deal to be found!).

Why do we, the fit ones get penalized for being so? Sure, in the midwest the majority may be large, round “regular” to “big” sizes, but that’s not true country or world wide? 

And what about technology taking a hand in this? How come 3D printing and 3D scanning hasn’t found its way to shoes, jackets, fleeces, sweaters, pants, etc.? It reminds of when Stephen Hawkings wrote to Microsoft and asked why he had such an outdated low rent computer/interface device he uses to communicate. He figured that surely Microsoft could build something better.

If one reads reviews, half of bad reviews are because of things that don’t fit. While I don’t think that’s fair to review something poorly for the fit, especially given that none of these brands make custom sizes, I do feel it’s a big flashing light in the darkness saying “pay attention to me! There is an opportunity here for real progression in the industry!” Cottage manufacturers take notice.

But please…all you silicon valley people that make a product that is hardly a first prototype and then start selling it, feel free to complete your R&D before launching a product (looking at you allbirds!). I know it provides for a faster ROI, but it’s still crap. And it’s not just silicon valley either. A lot of Mountain Hardwear’s “advancements” felt far from finished, but were sold to the public. I personally bought the two scams of Stretchdown and the stretchy “waterproof” rain gear. I was not impressed and returned/resold them both as soon as I could. 

Love Dilley