Have you ever tried to recreate an awesome outfit after seeing a photograph of it?
You carefully select the outfits, one by one. You pay close attention to the colors and style. And then you try on your new clothes and find you don’t look anything like the guy in the photo.
It’s likely that you ignored a minor but critical factor: body type. You don’t have the same body type as the man in the picture. What’s the end result? What works for him may not be suitable for you.
It’s an art form to know how to dress for your body type. It’s a skill that women and executives in the womenswear industry have spent years honing. There are entire books dedicated to the issue, weekly pieces published under the umbrella of inclusivity, and routinely televised portions honoring body positivity – and it’s about time. It has aided women all around the world in developing a sense of style and a wardrobe that highlights their bodies in a meaningful — and flattering — way.
It’s enough to say, though, that when it comes to men’s body shapes, there isn’t the same emphasis – even in 2022 — and it’s unclear why. That isn’t to suggest it’s a completely unknown area; it’s just not as well known.
The truth is that everyone’s body is different, and your body type shouldn’t prevent you from upgrading your style.
Rather, learning to accentuate the important characteristics of your build may keep you looking great while also giving you the confidence to wear things that you know highlight your best qualities. Temphas has your one-stop reference to dressing for your body shape, recognizing a range of body types, emphasizing the importance of tailoring, and dressing for the body you have now.
1. Rectangle shaped body
Rectangle-shaped guys, such as Matt Bomer and David Beckham, are often slim, with shoulders and waists that are nearly the same breadth. If this describes you, you may find that your clothes are a little boxy, and as a result, you’re seeking for a way to give a little more structure to your style. Here, you’ll want to buy in some great, structured blazers and suit jackets, or anything with a bit of added heft in the shoulder area, to bulk up your upper body.
2. Inverted Triangle Body Shape
This body type is more common among males who are sports or who spend a lot of time at the gym. The majority of clothing items flatter an inverted triangle. Shirts, on the other hand, tend to sag in various locations around the abdomen when the upper body is larger. Invest in polo shirts or V-necks if you really want to emphasize your body. This draws focus to your chest, making your shoulders appear smaller and your garments appear more tailored.
When you have a broad pair of shoulders, you might want to achieve a better symmetry between your upper torso and your smaller-than-average waist area. The goal is to shift the eye away from the chest and shoulders and towards your lower half. Suit jackets, blazers, and stiff dress shirts have a habit of adding a lot of extra heft up top, which only adds to the contrast. Instead, go for loose-fitting shirts and unstructured coats and blazers.
3. Oval Body Shape
The oval is a popular body type among men, with narrow shoulders and chest, as well as a broader waist and slim hips. Because the focus on ovals is on reducing the appearance of the waist, you’ll want to invest in pieces with darker tones or vertical stripes. These colors can also be coupled with tailor-made pants to produce a slimmer effect.
To begin, use darker colors – black and navy are particularly appealing. Next, stay away from horizontal stripes. Choose thin, vertical stripes instead, which will help to extend the torso. In terms of fit, this is the most difficult form to optimize: if your clothing are too big, you’ll look excessively sloppy; if they’re too small, you’ll be emphasizing the fat you’re attempting to hide. Getting an exact fit is more important than ever for this shape, which can be tough to achieve when purchasing off the shelf. It’s time to invest in a good tailor if you don’t already have one.
4. Trapezoid body shape
You’re probably a trapezoid if you’re healthy, naturally proportioned. Because almost all sample sizes are based on this shape, you’re unlikely to have trouble finding clothes that fit (lucky you). If this describes you, you may simply be looking to highlight what you already have, in which case a slimmer or more fitted (not to be confused with slender) fit is preferable. Pair a dark wash denim, or any dark pant for that matter, with a lighter color shirt to create purposeful contrast and accentuate your already-balanced proportions.
5. Triangle Body Shape
The waist of a triangle is wider than that of an oval. Because the shoulder area is considerably smaller, use caution when wearing dark colors and try to emphasize your upper half while narrowing down your lower half.
Most men’s apparel is made with a broader-shouldered person in mind, so if you’re this guy, you’ve undoubtedly had some trouble finding clothes that fit you properly. As you might expect, dressing for a triangular body necessitates the inverted triangle’s polar opposite. The emphasis should be on moving the eye upwards and away from the waist in this scenario. Structured jackets with padded shoulders will give you a little more heft up top.