Sloppy Uniform Shirt... Solutions?

[JK4629]

So my uniform shirts look like absolute crap. I have a 16 1/2 neck, 33 sleeve length. When I put the uniform on there is a ton of access material around the waistband and back, plus there is a lot of extra baggy material in the sleeves. Can something like this be tailored? I hate looking like a soup sandwich! I don't know if it's just the Elbeco uniforms or what....but I hate it! Any advice? I use shirt stays which at least keeps the shirt tucked in, but it just doesn't look good.

[The State]

I would go to a tailor shop and get it tightened up in the areas it is not plush with your body. When washing use cold/cold and after drying immediately take out and iron with starch. Hang on hanger with top button buttoned when not in use. Also in cold weather such as Michigan winters tuck your shirt into your long underwear if possible, this helps keep it tucked in while you are moving around and reaching for things in your car/calls. Officer presence is your first tool out there.

[jswwjw]

And if you do get them tailored wear your vest when you do and ask for an additional 1/4" (looser) in case McDonald's catches up with you.

[Se7en]

I personally get my uniforms dry cleaned... I think they look better and definitely hold up better. And yes, any tailor will be able to tailor your shirt to take out the excess material.

[JK4629]

Thanks for all the advice.

[mtxpro752]

Also, after tailoring wear

or

[mac266]

1- Yes, have it tailored.

2- Heavy, heavy, heavy starch and press. Dry cleaners do this cheaply or you can do it yourself.

3- Wear a shirt garter and "blouse" the shirt. A shirt garter is a set of elastic bands that clip on to the bottom of your shirt, then run down your leg (underneath your pants) and clip to the top of your socks. It pulls the shirt tightly down and looks sharp with a good blouse. Blousing is folding the excess neatly.

I do all three and get crap from my shift mates about looking too squared away (I also spit shine my boots).

[ateamer]

I've said it before and I'll repeat it here. The uniform makers need to start making uniforms to fit officers who are in shape. Make the fatasses pay extra and have to get special tailoring.

[99TAC]

Another vote for tailoring. Its the only way to really make it look right. When I first got my uniform shirts, it looked like i was kid wearing my dads old shirt as an art smock. I had them tailored as best I could and it looks presentable now. Unfortunately, the 5.11 shirts have the reinforced vented armpits, which prevent tailoring of the upper chest and arm, but it still looks ok.

[deputy x 2]

Fold the shirt like a giant pleat......tuck it in your underwear. As for your shirts the sleeves can be shortened and the cuff reattached.

[areardon892]

A good tailor can make just about any shirt look sharp. We wear Elbeco shirts to and even the bigger guys normally have to get the sleves taken in. The short sleve shirts dont seem to have nearly as much extra fabric though.

[Orale]

I feel your pain. I like looking sharp, and I pay $20 per shirt to get it tailored just how I like it. The sides can get taken in to fit your ballistic vest. My sleeves go to my elbows, so I have them shortened and also narrowed a bit since my arms aren't 22" and don't fill them out. Creases on my shirts are a must, and dry cleaning 90% of the time (as money permits).

I found that when I wash them, using fabric softner makes them too loose or wobbly (sp?), so I wash 'em cold, gentle spin, and extra low on the dryer. But like I stated, dry cleaning is best.

[jswwjw]

I'm in shape....round is a shape!!! Oh to be in my 20's again.

[stormz5192]

http://www.stickybelt.com/

[bigcitypolice06]

Lucky for me there is a shop in LA that will make custom from scratch uniforms for us....they are quite pricey but they look awesome and last a very long time. I also have purchased off the shelf shirts and pants then had them tailored....