The Sunday News
Rutendo Chidawanyika
MEN like to assume they can get away with any type of clothing item as long as it fits. This assumption is wrong. The male body shape is as complex as women’s, but knowing your body shape is key, this is when you can experiment with shape and colour to determine what suits you and what doesn’t. It sounds like a lot of work, but by following this simple guide on how men should dress for their body shape it’ll all make sense, trust me.
Heavier build
Men with this body type usually struggle to find the right clothes, so you want to create a series of looks where you appear to be slimmer than you are. When it comes to shopping heavily built men have a difficult time; most clothes don’t fit or certain styles don’t suit them. They are forced to create an illusion of a slimmer frame.
When buying t-shirts or tops you’ll want to avoid slim fitted pieces. These are designed to hug your body rather than hang loosely and they will highlight problems areas you want to be kept hidden. Colour is another game player when buying clothes as you’ll want to opt for darker shades as they create a slimmer shape to your body. It’s important to know your size as you may be left feeling disappointed when a smaller size doesn’t fit. Also, when buying t-shirts you want to avoid large patterns or prints on your torso, as this draws the eye towards your body and many of you don’t want that.
Thinner build
If you’re a naturally thin person you may find it difficult to find clothes that fit you in the waist and in the chest. Making yourself appear bulkier than you are can be quite difficult as it can be plainly obvious that you’re wearing more layers than humanly possible. But, with the right tricks and tips you can make people think you’ve been hitting the gym more than you actually have. Being naturally thin isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, you’ll struggle to find tops that are fitted and jackets and suits simply drown you. But again, Get yourself measured, it really does benefit you in the long run.
When you are naturally thin you want tops and jackets to fit you a little tighter, rather than having a lot of excess fabric. Try buying tops and jackets that are slim fitted when they’re made rather than a regular fit, this tightens the fit, giving off the illusion that you’re bigger than you are. Layering will also help you out a lot, no matter what the season is you can always have a layered look that will make you look bulkier. Try wearing a shirt with a thicker jumper over the top, giving you a smart look while creating the illusion of a bigger frame.
Short
Some men aren’t vertically blessed, so you have to make yourself seem taller even if you aren’t. There are a few tricks of the trade to avoid looking even shorter and tricking people into thinking you’re slightly taller. I’ve seen guys who buy a pair of jeans in the shortest leg length for them to be far too long and then having to roll up the bottoms until they’re two inches thick. This is what we want to avoid, so, the first step is, again, to get measured. This is a massive indicator for yourself so you know what size you are, both for trousers and tops, so you aren’t wasting money on clothes that don’t fit. When buying t-shirts and jackets you’ll want to avoid the long line trend as these pieces are designed to look oversized and longer in the body. These can make you look even shorter, and many of you don’t want that, so instead opt for a fitted t-shirt or jacket so that they finish just above your hips, making your torso in proportion to your legs.
Tall
If you’re on the taller side of life then you know only too well the struggles of finding clothes that will be long enough in the arms and in the legs. I know the demoralising feeling of finding the perfect jacket only to realise that the sleeves finish at your elbows or is a three quarter. The difficulty with dressing when you’re quite tall is that you don’t want to look like you’re shorter, nor do you want to look even taller. So where does that leave you? Somewhere in the middle! When looking for jackets and blazers it’s important to buy them in a fitted shape. This may sound tricky, but it can be done. Take a suit blazer for instance, avoid buying a blazer that isn’t your size, I know that most of us can’t afford a well-tailored suit, but that doesn’t stop you from getting measured properly in a shop or by a tailor. That way you know exactly what size you are when choosing a suit blazer.
Round
Keep it simple and dark. Solid colours are always good. The trouser waist should always be comfortably loose, never belted so tight that it pinches and wrinkles. For your shirt find a good fit, this is crucial in avoiding either pinching and wrinkles (too small a shirt) or gathers that add even more bulk (too loose a shirt). Find a brand that works for you or else have your shirts tailored. A wider collar spread works well for broad men, especially when the neck and face are broad as well.
Dark, single-breasted, and only slightly tapered are the keys to a good jacket for big men. A sharp taper at the waist is going to be hard to button and will stretch over the stomach. Just a hint of an inward bend right around the buttons is all that’s needed. The jacket gives the torso a frame, essentially putting it between two narrow lines, making it a worthwhile addition to almost any outfit.
Rules for dressing for your body type
Dress for the body you have right now. Any attempts at body structure correction through exercise is admirable. However, for the present moment, you need to dress for your current shape.
Your body shape determines what you should wear. Shop for clothes and alter the fit for the perfect fit that flatters your body type. Avoid shopping for the latest trend and looking to copy outfits out of social media.
Seek the norm. A heavy built body shape is generally considered most attractive. Use clothing to create an illusion of wide shoulders and narrow waistline.-Additional information from online sources.
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