Get to Know Me!
I'm Jon and I’ve been a member of the “Big Guy Club” pretty much my entire life.
It used to hurt whenever someone referred to me as “big guy” or “big Jon.” From the anxiety of having to take my shirt off around my friends at the pool or beach, to being asked to get off a ride at an amusement park because I was too big, to struggling to find my own style and how to dress my body, I’ve experienced it all.
Navigating my younger years as a bigger guy was so frustrating. Growing up I remember wearing a t-shirt while swimming, and saying no to so many activities with friends because I was self-conscious about my size and how I might look. In high school, and even into my 20’s, I would leave stores so defeated because the clothes I saw on the mannequins, in the ads, and on my friends, wouldn’t work on my body.
I’ve been on a lifelong road of finding my personal style.
When I hit my 30’s, something started to shift in my mind. I started to experiment with different pieces and hunt for the right clothes and styles that worked on my body. “The Road to Dapper” was born to share my journey through building community and shared experiences. A space to show that style has no size. And here I am, now in my 40’s, a proud husband and father of two teenagers (one a Swiftie and one obsessed with Crocs!), and proud to be part of the big guy club to show you (and younger Jon), that it’s going to be ok.
I'm in the “Vancouver-ish” area, about 45 minutes outside of Vancouver, which is my way of saying “you’ve probably never heard of my actual city before”. I love exploring the Vancouver area and finding new places to eat or things to do with the fam. We also love to travel.
You are not alone in your own style journey.
I’ve worked with brands like lululemon, Indochino, H&M, and RW&Co. to be able show you that you aren’t alone, that you can find a personal style that works for you, and that style should never be limited by size or budget.
What’s your story? I want to hear your experiences and frustrations. Let’s connect through our journeys and inspire each other to embrace who we are, no matter our size or background.
