Standing the Test of Time
The Right Fit
I struggle a little bit, because of my size, to find clothes that fit. I’m 6’8-inches tall, 260 lbs, so it’s not off the rack for me most of the time. I try and find things that will last. There are a couple brands out there that make stuff in my size. I’ll just keep buying from them and hope it sinks up with the type of stuff that I want to wear, which is usually pretty casual. The outfit that you’ve got here is something similar to what I wore when I went to the winery with my girlfriend Christine. Something that I can wear to the office without being to cheesy or an afternoon up in Napa and still get away with it.
For shoes, outside of sports shoes, Vans makes shoes my size which is size 15. So, I’ve been a Vans guy forever as far as casual shoes go. I’ll even try to sneak them into more formal things like work or if I can wear them with a suit to a wedding. I’ve done that before more out of necessity, but I think if I had smaller feet I’d still wear Vans. They’re pretty comfortable.
The shirt I’m wearing here was a GAP shirt. They have pretty good tall sizes, believe it or not. Eddie Bauer is another company that makes tall sizes. While I don’t think I fit their stereotypical customer from a style perspective, they have some things that will work that are more versatile. I’ve had most of my clothes for a long time. I like things that are durable too. Some of the Eddie Bauer flannel things that I have, I’ve had them for 12-15 years and still wear them.
I go shopping as little as possible because it is a drag for me. I go into the store and nothing fits. A lot of what I’ll do, shopping wise, is take a look at some of the styles that I like and then buy a ton of it online. I'll try it on at home, because they won’t typically have the taller sizes in stores. I’ll either send it back or take it back to the retail spot. I think this has saved me a ton of money over the span of my life. Fashion would be something I’d be a lot more in to were I able to run out and get the latest thing. Since that isn’t always the case, it’s kind of nice that I get to tap the breaks before spending everything. That’s why I pick more versatile things. I can have a closet full of 10 or so pieces that can work for any different occasion because it is a drag to get new stuff. When I do find things that I like, I get really excited about them. It probably happens a couple times a year.
Staying Connected
I do like my Raiders hat. It connects me with Oakland the city and I am so grateful to be here. Oakland and the East Bay has historically been a place that has taken in refugees from different cities around the bay. Whether it’s earthquakes or housing cost increases. Now that we have some more roots in Oakland, it’s been nice to connect with a team, which unfortunately is leaving soon. The way that everybody in the Town feels about that team including me - you’ve got guys like Marshawn Lynch who’s coming out of retirement to play for Oakland before they leave, it’s them and the A’s and the Warriors (before they leave as well). They’re all teams that exemplify the types of people that are here - welcoming, team oriented, aggressively positive and hardworking people. That historically has been the East Bay. It’s fun to be able to wear something as simple as a Raiders hat but then feel that connection to a larger community.
- Jeff
