My In-Depth Johnny Bigg Review: Style for Big & Tall Men

As a taller, heavierset guy, finding clothes that fit well without looking boxy or feeling stiff poses a constant struggle. But during my latest search for shirts and pants that move with me, I stumbled upon the menswear brand Johnny Bigg. I took a chance and ordered a few items, which led me to pen this comprehensive first-hand review.

My Background as a Big & Tall Clothing Customer

To offer some context around my judgments of Johnny Bigg, I‘ll share a bit about my ongoing journey to dress for my fuller 6’3” frame. Ever since my growth spurt back in high school, buying flattering and flexible clothes meant either getting creative with alterations or sacrificing style for comfort.

Over the past decade, I’ve tried all the major big and tall retailers. But the fits often disappointed with boxy silhouettes, cheap fabrics and outdated designs. Or I’d locate a decent item only to have it fall apart after several wears and washes.

Fed up after my last blazer literally split down the back (embarrassing!), I renewed my search for quality menswear specifically catering to taller, sturdier builds. That’s when I stumbled onto Johnny Bigg.

Introducing Johnny Bigg: Style-Focused Big & Tall Fashion

Founded in 2014 by a team of Aussie entrepreneurs, Johnny Bigg emerged to fill the neglected market for on-trend menswear in expanded sizes. Rather than scale up versions of straight-sized fashion, Johnny Bigg set out to develop original pieces flattering fuller figures.

They now offer one of the largest selections I’ve seen of contemporary shirts, pants, shorts and accessories explicitly designed for bigger and taller men.

My first impression? Finally! Stylish clothes embracing my body type instead of disguising it. I eagerly compiled a trial order to see if Johnny Bigg lived up to its reputation for premium fabrics and modern tailored fits.

My Johnny Bigg Order & Review of Bestselling Items

Eager to put Johnny Bigg to the test, I ordered several of their hottest selling pieces:

A collaged sampling of Johnny Bigg shirts and pants I purchased

Here‘s an overview of the Johnny Bigg products I selected along with my in-depth review:

Anders Linen Stretch Shirt

• Fabric – Lightweight linen-cotton blend, not stiff or scratchy
• Fit – Roomy through the chest and shoulders but tapered at waist
• Style – Understated yet sharper than an average short sleeve button-up

Right away I appreciated the Anders Shirt for its laidback polish and incredible softness. The partial chest pocket adds subtle depth. It fits my wide torso without clinging or restricting movement. After multiple washes, it hasn‘t shrunk or lost shape. The neutral tan color also pairs easily with shorts or pants.

Luka Tropical Print Shirt

• Fabric – Lightweight all-cotton for breathability
• Fit – Relaxed chest and arms but tailored waist
• Style – Bold blue tropical pattern printed on quality fabric

While nervous to try such an eye-catching statement shirt, I love the unexpected modern spin on a Hawaiian print. The vibrant shades of blue contrast beautifully against my skin. And the straight hem keeps the busy pattern from overwhelming my stature. It works surprising well with dark rinse jeans. The fabric feels durable too and hasn‘t required much ironing out of the dryer.

Benny Stretch Chinos

• Fabric – Substantial cotton twill woven with elastane for flexibility
• Fit – Lean slim cut yet moves easily through the thighs with 12" leg opening
• Features – Classic five-pocket styling with curve-hugging rear pockets

In terms of everyday pant options, these are my new favorite! The Benny Chinos have already become regulars in my work to weekend rotation. The navy cotton twill looks polished while effortlessly expanding with me as I walk, sit and bend. It flatters my shape much better than traditional pleated khakis. My only complaint is limited inseam options for taller fellas.

Cameron Shorts

• Fabric – Sweatpant-inspired cotton fleece with slight stretch
• Fit – Casual relaxed fit with adjustable drawstring waist
• Features – Side pockets deep enough for carrying essentials

These cotton shorts make me rethink my whole idea of comfort wear! The fleecy material feels remarkably soft yet the silhouette remains streamlined from front to back. I can even sneak them into casual office outfits paired with the Anders shirt and slip-on loafers. They hold up well to repeated laundering too without fading. My only tweak would be an additional back pocket.

How Johnny Bigg Compares to Other Big & Tall Brands

To provide additional context in this Johnny Bigg review, I’ll compare key traits to similar menswear labels focused on fuller men:

Brand	Price Range	Size Range	Style	Fit	Quality
Johnny Bigg	$$-$$$	Up to Size 8XL	Modern, trend-driven aesthetic	Tailored to slim & flatter	Noticeable step up from typical big & tall quality
KingSize	$	Expanded sizes but limited	Traditional, conservative	Boxy shapes	Cheap fabric, inconsistent sizing
Chubstr	$-$$	Up to 10XL	T-shirts and casual basics	Runs very large	Decent quality cotton knits
TripleXL	$$	Focused on 3XL-5XL	Sporty streetstyle	Avant garde oversized look	Polarzing style but well constructed

Among the various big and tall menswear companies I‘ve tried, Johnny Bigg stands ahead of competitors when it comes to blending contemporary style with flattering fits. They avoid the droopy, shapeless silhouettes of most king size brands while catering to a wider scope of sizes compared to modern labels like TripleXL.

And their dedication to quality materials and construction means Johnny Bigg items last exponentially longer in my wardrobe compared to fast fashion extended sizes. Yes, the prices exceed discount retailers, but the execution and attention to detail justifies the extra investment.

Johnny Bigg Sizing & Fit Advice

Since finding accurate, complimentary fits proves difficult for bulkier body types, I‘ll share my experiences with Johnny Bigg‘s sizing and cuts:

For reference, I stand at 6‘3" and normally wear an XXL or 42 inch waist. I have broad shoulders, a rounder midsection and athletic thighs.

Based on Johnny Bigg‘s size chart, I ordered the following:

• Shirts – Ordered 3XL for a relaxed but not sloppy silhouette. Sleeves ran slightly long but overall the proportions suit me well. I‘d size up to 4XL if I preferred ultra roomy.
• Pants – Chose 40" waist which fits perfectly if I‘m between sizes or carrying some extra pounds. Could even size down to 38” for a slimmer leg.
• Shorts – Went with 42" waist expecting them to run large but found them pretty accurate after allowing for some stretch.

So while some items skew slightly generous like most big and tall lines, Johnny Bigg generally runs truer-to-size than other brands focused on king size men. Just know that their clothes are designed with movement and flexibility in mind.

I encourage trying your typical size first when possible, though sizing up isn‘t a bad approach either if you sit between numbers or want looser items.

Big & Tall Style Tips from the Experts

To provide more specialized recommendations for dressing big and tall body types, I also spoke with experts…

"Focus on quality fabrics with at least 2% spandex woven in to contour your frame rather than overwhelm it," suggests Magnus, a tailor and custom clothier.

Celebrity stylistCOMPONENT recommends opting for versatile earth tones more forgiving than bold patterns or shiny fabrics that emphasizes lump and bumps.

"Look for jackets and tops with side vents and pleats in back that allow extra walking room while preventing that ‘busting at the seams‘ look," shares Andre, a fashion consultant for fuller figures.

While keeping their guidance in mind, I believe men of any size should feel empowered to wear what they wish. And brands like Johnny Bigg make expressing personal style through fashion an accessible reality for big and tall physiques.

Johnny Bigg Review: Pros & Cons Breakdown

Johnny Bigg Pros

✅ Expansive size range up to 8XL/4XLT
✅ Quality fabrics with stretch for better conformity
✅ Modern and stylish aesthetic for younger demographic
✅ Tailored for movement while avoiding shapeless bags
✅ Reasonable prices compared to custom big and tall
✅ Smooth website checkout and helpful customer service

Johnny Bigg Cons

❌ Limited inseams on pants for taller men
❌ Spotty availability for reordering popular items
❌ Slightly inaccurate size charts for some pieces
❌ Plain color and pattern options sold out quickly
❌ No option for custom hemming pants and sleeves

Conclusion: My Final Verdict After Weeks In Johnny Bigg

Based on my first-hand experience wearing Johnny Bigg’s contemporary menswear pieces for my heavier tall frame over the past months, I confidently recommend the retailer to fellow big and tall men.

The quality and execution clearly exceed other brands focused on merely expanding sizes. Johnny Bigg possesses a mastery of fit, motion and modern style specifically catered towards maximizing and celebrating the bigness of being big!

Yes, a couple less versatile items in my batch felt a bit exaggerated for my proportions. And the affordability means fabric and finish falls a tier below premium suiting brands. But when it comes to everyday wardrobe essentials that actually FIT my shape while allowing both confidence and comfort, Johnny Bigg checks all my boxes.

If you share my frustrating quest to uncover flattering, fashion-conscious clothing for tall or wide bodies, I cannot recommend Johnny Bigg enough. I‘m already plotting my next order!