How I Designed the Perfect Oversized Tan Men's | A 5-Month Journey
Every great product has a story, and the Oversized Tall Men’s T-Shirt is no exception. This journey started as an idea in Vietnam in June of 2024 and took me across three continents and 5 months before finally coming to life.
How I Designed the Perfect Oversized Tan Men's | A 5-Month Journey
It All Began in Vietnam
The journey began in Hoi An, Vietnam—the Mecca of Vietnamese tailoring. At the time, I was living in Da Nang on a 90-day visa, aiming to lower my cost of living while regrouping after losing my Tall Men’s clothing review website due to a major shakeup in Google’s algorithm.
Hoi An, only a 30-minute Grab ride away, is famous for its abundance of skilled tailors. Intrigued by its reputation, I decided to explore the possibilities. After some searching, I found a tailor willing to collaborate with me. It was here that I began experimenting with straight-leg slacks and started brainstorming what would eventually become the first oversized t-shirt for tall men.
The First Oversized T-Shirt Creation
The straight-leg slacks were a success right from the start. We nailed the size and measurements quickly, and they became a staple piece. Naturally, I thought creating the t-shirt would be just as seamless—how hard could it be?
Turns out, I underestimated the challenge. I arrived at the tailor with a few photos of what I envisioned and a general idea of the size I wanted. But having never owned an oversized t-shirt that truly fit me properly, much of this process was guesswork.
The result was a t-shirt that hit about 80% of what I was looking for—a solid start, but far from perfect. It was clear I needed to move on from Hoi An to find manufacturers who could help me bring the design to the next level.
The First Manufacturer in Sri Lanka
From Vietnam, I flew to Sri Lanka to meet a manufacturer I’d been emailing. It was my first time stepping into a clothing manufacturing site, and it felt daunting. Sitting with a team of five, I shared my vision and worked with them to create two samples from fabric they had excess of:
- A 220gsm cotton-elastic blend.
- A Supima cotton-elastic blend.
I spent 8 days in Colombo, traveling 30 minutes each way in a tuk-tuk to the manufacturer every other day. It was a pure business trip, and while the samples were miles ahead of what I’d started with in Vietnam, the journey was far from over.
Exploring Opportunities in Portugal
Next, I traveled to Italy to reconnect with friends and began contacting manufacturers in Portugal. Known globally for their craftsmanship and sustainability, Portugal seemed like the perfect fit. But reality hit hard when I learned that breaking into their 300-500 MOQ (minimum order quantity) range was impossible for a startup like mine.
Regrouping in Copenhagen
Feeling frustrated and lost, I took a break to attend my cousin’s wedding in Copenhagen. While enjoying the last of the European summer, I kept searching for new manufacturing options. I also took the time to take in the immense fashion scene in Copenhagen, world-renowned. I found it to be a huge time of reflection and inspiration, pushing my own comfort levels in clothing.
Finding the Perfect Partner in Turkey
During my research, I came across articles about Turkey’s renowned cotton textile industry. Known for its high-quality craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing processes, Turkey seemed like a promising fit. After sending out more cold emails and holding video calls, I connected with a manufacturer who aligned perfectly with my vision.
We worked together to create a few samples, improving upon the designs from Sri Lanka. This time, we used 300gsm 100% Turkish cotton with no elasticity, giving the t-shirt a more mature and fashionable look and feel. It was here that the idea for the "Long" and "Cropped" size options came to life, staying true to my goal of bringing tall men’s fashion into the 2025 scene with bold, cropped designs. The adjustments were small but significant, elevating the overall quality to meet my expectations. Finally, Turkey became the home for the Oversized Tall Men’s T-Shirt, and I couldn’t be more excited about the craftsmanship and attention to detail we’ve achieved.
The Journey Shapes the Product
This journey wasn’t easy, but every twist and turn shaped the product into what it is today: a high-quality, thoughtfully crafted t-shirt designed to break the mold for tall men’s fashion.
Thanks for being part of this community—I can’t wait to share more of this journey with you.