Big and Tall Athletic Wear: What Actually Fits Past XL
Big and tall athletic wear, and what actually fits past XL
Most performance brands stop the size run at XL and hope you do not notice. Here is what to look for above it, and exactly where our own run stops.
Above XL, most athletic brands stop grading the pattern and just scale the whole shirt. You end up with a polo that is wide enough but three inches too short, sleeves that hit the elbow, and a placket that pulls. The fix is buying from a run that was actually cut for those sizes, not stretched into them.
PILLAR grades polos and tees through 3XL. Shorts, joggers and outerwear stop at 2XL. We would rather say that plainly than let you find out at checkout.
What the label says and what it means
Two shirts marked 2XL can differ by four inches in body length. Size letters describe chest circumference and nothing else, which is why the same letter fits three different ways across a closet. These are the three measurements worth knowing.
| Measurement | What it controls | What to look for past XL |
|---|---|---|
| Body length, collar seam to hem | Whether the shirt stays tucked and whether it rides up when you raise your arms | At least one inch added per size above XL. Scaled sizing adds width without it. |
| Chest, one inch under the arm | Whether the placket pulls and whether the side seam sits straight | Room to pinch two inches of fabric at the side with your arms down. |
| Sleeve opening | Whether the sleeve grips the bicep or hangs clean | A sleeve that ends mid bicep with room, not a sleeve that ends at the elbow because the whole shirt grew. |
Three checks you can do in sixty seconds
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1Raise both arms overhead. If the hem lifts past your belt, the body length is short for the size, no matter what the chest measurement says. This is the single most common failure above XL.
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2Reach across your body like you are grabbing a seatbelt. Watch the shoulder seam. If it drags the whole shirt sideways, the armhole is too small and the size above will not fix it.
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3Sit down. A polo that looks right standing and gaps at the third button seated is a fit problem at the chest, not a size problem. Our polo fit guide walks through the fix.
Polos, the deepest part of the run
Polos are where we grade furthest, and where most men in this size range have the hardest time. Navy and white do the most work, and a knit collar holds its shape better across a long day than a woven one. If you are choosing a first one, take the David Polo in white and size for the shoulder.
David Polo, White
$76 Graded through 3XLOur deepest stocked polo at every size above L. Structured knit collar, body length that keeps a tuck, and white that reads right on any course.
David Polo, Navy
$76 Graded through 3XLSame pattern as the white, and the color that hides sweat best in Arizona sun. This is the one to own two of if you play or work outside weekly.
Tom Polo, Grey
$40 Graded through 3XLThe rotation shirt. Lighter hand than the David and half the price, which is why most people who buy one buy three. Strongest stock we have at 2XL.
Steven Polo, Brew
$76 Graded through 3XLThe one that goes to dinner. Warm neutral, softer collar, and a drape that does not read as athletic once you are off the course.
Tees, shorts and layers, where the run actually stops
Tees follow the polos through 3XL. Shorts, joggers and outerwear stop at 2XL, because the grade above that changes the rise and the inseam together and we would rather not sell a guess. If you wear above a 2XL on the bottom, the tees and polos still work and the bottoms will not.
Where our size run ends, by category
- Polos: 3XL, full stock in navy, white, grey and brew
- Tees: 3XL, deepest in black
- Shorts: 2XL, both the 5 inch and the 7 inch inseam
- Joggers: 2XL
- Vests and crews: 2XL
- Hats: one size, adjustable closure
Nick Tee, Black
$45 Graded through 3XLBody length that stays tucked and a collar that holds after a wash. Even stock across every size from L up, which is rare in this range.
Drew Short 5 inch, Black
$55 Runs to 2XLFour way stretch and a waistband that does not roll when you sit. If you are between the 5 inch and the 7 inch, our inseam guide settles it.
James Jogger, Tan
$89 Runs to 2XLThe rare jogger that does not taper into a problem at the calf. Deep stock at XL and 2XL, and tan reads cleaner than black for anything but the gym.
Kevin Vest, Black
$78 Runs to 2XLThe layer that adds warmth without adding bulk at the shoulder, which matters more above XL than it does below it. Wears over every polo on this page.
Two kits, sized 2XL, straight to checkout
Course kit
David Polo in navy, Drew Short 5 inch in black, Ryder Hat in white. Everything sized 2XL, which is where our stock is deepest right now.
Buy the kit, $171Off course kit
Nick Tee in black, James Jogger in tan, Kevin Vest in black. Sized 2XL, and the combination that covers an Arizona October morning without a jacket.
Buy the kit, $212One honest note on color. If you are buying above XL, buy navy and black before you buy anything light. Not because of any rule about what flatters, but because those two hide sweat and hold their shape longest, and in this size range you will get more wears out of each shirt. Our color guide for Arizona has the full order to buy in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest size PILLAR carries?
Polos and tees are graded through 3XL. Shorts, joggers, vests and crews run to 2XL. Hats are one size with an adjustable closure. The 3XL run is stocked in the David Polo, the Tom Polo, the Steven Polo and the Nick Tee.
What is the difference between big and tall sizing?
Big adds width through the chest and waist. Tall adds body length and sleeve length without adding much width. Most brands sell one combined run that adds width and hopes the length follows, which is why a shirt can fit at the chest and still ride up when you raise your arms.
Should I size up in athletic polos?
Not automatically. Size to your shoulder and chest, then check the body length by raising your arms. Sizing up to solve a length problem gives you a shirt that is too wide at the waist and still short, which looks worse than the size you started with.
Do performance fabrics run smaller than cotton?
Often, yes. Performance knits are cut closer because the stretch is expected to make up the difference, and above XL that assumption breaks down faster. Look for four way stretch rather than two way, because it gives in both directions instead of only around the body.
What colors work best above XL in Arizona heat?
Navy, black and mid tone prints. They hide sweat, they hold color through repeated washing, and they photograph better on a course than heather grey, which shows every damp spot within an hour.
Keep reading
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