My chest is a tank! Tanks need suit jackets too!

I replied in your previous question about buying mens clothing in Philly. I'm not sure if you've checked out Brooks Brothers but that would be a good place to start. They specialize in mens suiting and formal wear and I doubt your body shape is so unique that they can't give you advice. They do made to measure which is less expensive than completely custom/bespoke. Similarly, I also recommended Suitsupply, which has a branch in Philadelphia. They also specialize in menswear, however, for http://us.suitsupply.com/en_US/content-page-tailoring-suit-up-personal-tailoring.html suits/sportcoats, you'll have to go to DC or the NYC SoHo branch for service. Where have you tried so far?

The problem with department store clothing is that it is designed to appeal to the masses and to fit the masses. That means average proportions for given height/weight, allowing for fit preferences of the target demographic. The extent of tailoring offered by department stores or your dry cleaner then allows you to get this more or less fitting item to fit well enough to get away with. But there are clear limits because the clothes were made using the least amount of fabric and the lowest quality fabric they can get away with. If your proportions are really so far out of the normal range you will not find anything off the rack that will fit you well enough to wear without tailoring. Given the above constraints even with tailoring these clothes may never fit you well. So if this is going to be an item you'll get a fair amount of wear out of get some more quotes and seriously consider going bespoke. They will construct a garment that is made to fit you and only you. They'll be able to work with cut and fabric to give you something that makes you look well dressed as opposed to the (bad) compromise you'd end up with a severely tailored off the rack item. If you'll get a fair amount of wear out of this I assume it's an item you'll wear to work? Think if it as an investment in your professional image, think about cost per wear and how this item will last you longer than any department store suit. Basically, whatever you need to get you over that hurdle.

Buy things that are too big in one of the dimensions (so fits in the chest, doesn't fit at the waist) on eBay and have them tailored. eBay because there are soooo many used suits out there, often very nice brands, and since you're getting them tailored you don't mind if the fit is "eh". Then find a tailor that will work with you. Expect to spend as much on the tailor as you would on buying a nice suit at Nordstroms to get it to fit. This is a slow investment over time kind of thing. So, since you're a grad student, start with a couple of nice button down shirts, a sport jacket and a suit. Take good care of them once you get them. Slowly build your collection. Take heart, most of us feel your pain. I get a lot of stuff tailored (though as a petite woman, I likely have slightly different issues than you). It is a long-term investment, I'd rather have a few things that fit beautifully than lots of things that fit terribly.

Have you tried Big and Tall stores? Do you have any athlete friends - dudes who play on your school's teams - who might have a clue to sources for the v-shaped?

I am currently en route to the Brooks Brothers here in fact... Today is day two of suitpocalypse. I am encouraged by the potential of made to measure suits there, so we will see. Sadly, though I adored the Suit Supply styles I saw earlier, the styles run very trim cut and we had a laughable time with the upper fit, though I would superbly recommend them for smaller gents based on the service and product.

My husband is heavy, but built with enormous shoulders. He usually goes to Men's Wearhouse (yes, not the best quality) and they fit him through the shoulders and tailor the rest of the suit jacket. Then they switch the pants off another suit - I assume they write off the mismatched pieces. I don't know if ALL the Men's Wearhouses will do this though. He spends a fair amount each year with the same salesperson.

I have 56-58" shoulders and a 42-44" waist, I get all my suites from http://casual-male-big-and-tall.destinationxl.com/mens-big-and-tall-store/ if there's one near you, I highly suggest checking out.

Be aware that Caual Male XL is changing it's name to Destination XL. It also has a higher end brand of stores called Rochester B&T.

Macy's has suit separates, so you can mix and match jackets and trousers.