TFT Designs: Origin Story

When I set out to create TFT Designs, the inspiration stemmed from a deeply personal struggle that I knew many tall men could relate to. My journey began after I retired from a career as a professional basketball player. Standing at 6'9" and weighing 230 pounds during my playing days, I had always been accustomed to finding gear that fit my unique frame on the court. However, when I transitioned into the corporate world and faced my first big job interview, the challenge of finding the right dress shirt hit me like a ton of bricks. That experience became the driving force behind TFT Designs.

It all started when I needed a dress shirt for that crucial interview, my first step into what I jokingly call my "big boy job." Excited but unprepared, I embarked on a shopping spree that took me to major retailers like H&M, DXL, New Yorker, and Old Navy. I hoped to find something that would make me look polished and professional. Instead, I encountered the same problem at every stop: the shirts either flared out awkwardly at the waist or were too short in the sleeves and torso. As a tall man with a slim build, the standard options simply didn’t work. The frustration grew with each store visit, and I began to realize how underserved this market was.

After hours of searching, I settled on a shirt that seemed like the best compromise. It cost me $120, a significant investment for someone just starting out. But the ordeal didn’t end there. The fit was so off that I had to take it to a tailor, adding another $50 to the bill. The process was not only expensive but also incredibly time-consuming. Standing in the tailor’s shop, pinning and adjusting, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d wasted both money and effort on a shirt that should have been ready to wear. That moment of exasperation was a turning point. I thought to myself, there has to be a better way to do this.

That’s when the idea for TFT Designs took root. I wanted to create a solution that would spare other tall men the same hassle I’d endured. My vision was to design professional clothing, specifically dress shirts, tailored for taller frames with a slim fit that didn’t require endless alterations. I poured my experience into building a brand that prioritizes quality and precision, ensuring every shirt, whether it’s The Executive or The Azure—fits impeccably right out of the box. The goal was to save time, reduce costs, and deliver a product that reflects the pride I felt in finding my own path after basketball.

Launching TFT Designs wasn’t just about business; it was about solving a problem I lived through. Today, as I see tall men across the country wearing our shirts with confidence, I’m reminded of that ill-fitting shirt from years ago. It’s a reminder of why I started this journey—to offer a better way. Every stitch in our designs carries that story, and I’m committed to expanding the brand to meet the needs of tall men everywhere, one perfectly fitted shirt at a time.