Introduction To Dressing For Your Body ShapeArticle By Matthew Ward on 15th May 2013

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All Shapes And Sizes

As a personal stylist, when I mention the concept of body shape and colour analysis to male clients the majority instantly assume it is something that only applies to women.

Now don’t get me wrong, when it comes to the number of different female body shapes, the list is almost endless. However, like women, men can equally dress to suit their shape, skin tone, hair and even to highlight eye colour.

So when it comes to developing your wardrobe, it’s not only the latest trends and styles that you should be thinking about. The entire process can actually become a lot more personal…

The Male Body Shape Breakdown

When considering typical body shapes, men will often fall into one of five categories: trapezoid, inverted triangle, rectangle, triangle or oval.

If you recognise and accept exactly what type of body shape you are, it will become much easier to identify whether an item of clothing has a positive or negative impact on your appearance – particularly if you understand the reasons why it has that impact. When this knowledge is then

applied to your everyday shopping habits, it will not only improve your style and look, but will give you the confidence to know that what you are wearing is right for YOU.

With this in mind, today we bring you an introductory guide to the five body shapes identified above, along with some basic dos and don’ts for each…

1. The Trapezoid

Those with a trapezoid body shape will have broad shoulders and chest with relatively narrow waist and hips.

Due to the upper and lower body being balanced, it means this shape is far simpler to dress than others. In general, most styles and fits will suit this shape because it is well proportioned.

So, if this relates to you, you can easily incorporate new trends, cuts and colours into your wardrobe, with little concern. Good news hey?

Obviously you will tend to steer towards that which you feel comfortable in, and that is important, but you should also realise this shape’s potential for experimentation. Why not try bolder prints and colours that make more of a statement? Like these for example…

Suggested Pieces

Reiss 1971 Oliver Multi Direction Stripe Shirt White

Topman Contrast Oat Crew Neck Jumper

Allsaints Nelson Crew Jumper

Reiss Scott B Relaxed Patch Pocket Blazer Dark Sage

Easy Aztec Print Shirt

Faconnable Maverick Cotton-twill Shorts

2. The Inverted Triangle

Similar to a trapezoid, you will also have broad shoulders and chest, however, your hips and waist are narrower.

This means your upper torso is much wider than your lower torso and, subsequently, the lower half of your body. This body shape is particularly common for those with athletic frames and can also be sculpted through regular weight lifting/body building.

When dressing for this body type the imbalance between top and bottom is something you should pay special attention to.

Do:

Consider detailing around the hips with the use of belts or pockets. This will help to break up an outfit whilst drawing attention to this area.

Wear Breton striped tees, which are both classic in style and ideal for men of this shape – particularly if the stripes are focused across the stomach rather than on the chest.

Opt for v-neck knits/tees as they will narrow the chest and draw the eye down. Use graphic prints and logos to create a central point of focus that will reduce attention to

the upper chest. Try straight or more relaxed slim cuts (rather than too slim/skinny) for legwear as they

will help balance your proportions and broad shoulders. Try unstructured double-breasted jackets as they will help widen the torso without adding

width to the shoulders or upper chest. Try statement or on trend printed/patterned legwear in order to draw the eyeline down.

Don’t:

Wear structured jackets with shoulder padding or wide lapels. This will only emphasise the widest area.

Consider tops with wide scoop necklines. Again, this will only appear to widen that area. Wear three quarter length sleeves that will broaden the appearance of your chest. Try to

stick with shorter sleeves for anything but formal shirts.

Opt for skinny leg cuts as they will make the top half of your body appear even wider – throwing out your proportions further.

Gravitate towards shoulder detailing/prints/colour-blocking. Pieces that incorporate such detailing will only draw the eyes to that area.

Suggested Pieces

Color Block Blazer

Allsaints Tonic Stripe Scoop T-shirt

Reiss 1971 Hurst Logo Vee Neck Jumper

Reiss 1971 Montego Palm Print Short Black/white

Topman Tan Plaited Belt

Uniqlo Men Cotton Linen Relaxed Trousers

3. The Rectangle

Men with this body shape have shoulders that are the same width as their waist and hips.

When dressing a rectangle the aim would be to widen the shoulders whilst making the lower torso appear narrower.

Although you are unable to physically alter the shape, wearing certain styles and cuts can work to give the illusion of a different one.

Therefore the aim with a rectangle is to ultimately appear similar to a trapezoid.

Do:

Wear structured blazers and jackets that appear padded in the shoulders yet narrow down from the underarm. A good way to achieve this would be to get the sides taken in by a tailor or the jacket arm thinned.

Use scarves and circular necklines to widen the upper torso. Layer intelligently – shirts and fine knitwear in particular can be used to widen the

chest/shoulders and then narrow down towards the hips. Utilise prints and patterns accordingly – intelligently placed colour-blocks and prints can

be effective at emphasising the upper section of your body.

Don’t:

Wear double-breasted pieces as these will only strengthen the rectangular shape. Wear prints that mimic and emphasise your rectangular shape – for example,

photographic tees or large geometric. Wear sleeveless pieces – unless layered effectively. Use bright primary block-colours on the torso unless print, detailing or an appropriate

neckline is utilised.

Suggested Pieces

Ted Baker Wilcox – Colour Block Top

Allsaints Wing Tonic Crew T-shirt

Allsaints Township Half Sleeved Shirt

PiquÉ Sweatshirt

Vito Blazer With Trim Detail

Paul Smith Shoes & Accessories Striped Woven Scarf

4. The Triangle

Several parts of the body are used to determine whether this shape applies to you: chest and shoulders are narrower than waist and hips, meaning you appear larger on the bottom half of your torso. This may also result in a sloping shoulder line.

The imbalance is created by your lower half appearing wider than your upper body.

Correcting this imbalance should be the focus when dressing this body type.

Do:

It’s imperative you focus on well-fitted clothing, ill fits will only emphasise this shape. Opt for single-breasted and button-down styles as they will help streamline the torso. Wear straighter leg trousers and chinos. Give shape to the shoulders with structured tailored blazers and jackets. Aim for darker colours on top as they will instantly flatter. Introduce colour with a scarf

or a bright piece layered underneath, like a tee or shirt.

Don’t:

Wear horizontal stripes across the stomach area. Wear polo necks or narrow crew-necks as they will decrease shoulder width and

emphasise shape. Wear skinny or heavily tapered jeans/trousers as they will widen the central part of the

body. Wear jackets with noticeable pockets on the front as they will attract attention to the

stomach area.

Suggested Pieces

Topman White Grey Yoke Long Sleeve Smart Shirt

Allsaints Le Tigre T-shirt

American Apparel Viscose Sexuali-tee

Reiss Preston Linen Trousers Green

Ted Baker Zabjak - polka Dot Blazer

Allsaints Griffin Leather Biker Jacket

5. The Oval

This shape is self-explanatory. An oval body shape appears round, particularly at the centre of the body. This may result in narrower shoulders and a slimness in the lower leg.

When dressing this shape, attention should be paid to lengthening the torso, making it appear slimmer. Shoulders should be given shape too, in order to make the body shape appear more defined.

This may be a shape that men find they fall into in their later years, however there are those that always fall into this category. Whatever your situation, there are ways in which you can add definition.

Do:

Wear vertical stripes and pinstripes as they will instantly lengthen that specific area of the body.

Ensure trouser legs and sleeves are the correct length as gathering will shorten the limbs and fail in adding shape or definition.

Wear detailed prints or textured pieces in darker hues to add a point of interest to an outfit whilst remaining flattering.

Aim to wear fitted, loosely tapered trousers as they will help to lengthen the legs.

Don’t:

Wear horizontal stripes anywhere on the body as they will make that part appear rounder. Choose to wear cowl necks, wide crew necks or polo necks. Use statement/coloured belts – they will only attract attention to the waist and highlight

your widest point. Wear footwear with a white sole or trim as it will widen your feet and take away from

any attempts to lengthen the legs. Likewise, boots can make your legs appear shorter. Instead, try low profile, slimline silhouettes.

Wear double-breasted.

Suggested Pieces

Selected Vertical Stripe Shirt

Vito Seersucker Blazer

Topman Black Cross Hi Roll T-shirt

River Island Cable Jumper

Asos Monk Strap Shoes

Ted Baker Twiltro – Cotton Twill Trouser

http://www.fashionbeans.com/2013/introduction-to-dressing-for-your-body-type/

Although Thomas Jefferson decreed that “all men were created equal,” when it comes to body type and clothing, that bold statement is simply untrue. As a result of having fewer curves, male bodies may vary less in form than women’s bodies, but nevertheless, variation does exist and knowing how to dress for your body type as well as which styles to avoid is the key to honing your personal style.

One thing to always keep in mind when shopping for new clothes is that the fit of the garment is its ultimate test. If an expensive jacket just isn’t right for your body, it’s going to look bad no matter what the price tag. Conversely, a cheaper jacket that accentuates your assets and disguises the things you don’t love about yourself will make you look like a million bucks even without a million-dollar price tag. So to learn about how to dress for your body type, to find the clothes that are most flattering for you, and for the most common body-type faux pas men make (and how to avoid them), read on.

 the bulky man

Stay away from horizontal stripesIf there’s a little more of you to love, particularly in the stomach area, avoid any kind of horizontal stripe. While you’re at it, avoid diagonal stripes too. What you should wear with pride, however, are shirts and trousers with vertical stripes. Vertical stripes draw the eye downward, elongating your silhouette and visually slimming it. Pinstripe suits are the perfect dress-up clothes for you, especially paired with a crisp black dress shirt underneath. Pinstripe dress shirts will also look great when mixed with dark jeans or black trousers. For casual wear, try to find a pair of dark corduroys with slim stripes that are made from thin material.

Avoid double-vented jacketsThe slits in the back of your jacket are referred to as “vents.” All jackets should cover your bottom. However, if you have a larger behind that makes you feel a bit self-conscious, stay away from blazers and jackets that are double-vented (the ones with two slits in the back) as this cut will draw attention to your posterior. To camouflage a wider rear, go with single-vented jackets or jackets without any vents. If you already own a double-vented jacket that you love, a professional tailor should be able to sew up the slits for you at a fairly minimal cost.

Buy clothes that fitMany mistakenly believe that tight clothing will smother imperfections and flatten out pudgy shapes. The reason this way of thinking works for women is because women have access to control-top underwear that creates a flatter midsection, thus allowing them to wear tighter clothes. So, unless you are willing to invest in women’s underwear (though we implore you not to do so), tight clothing will only draw attention to your flabby bits. In a similar vein, other plus-size men believe baggy clothing will hide bulges. Not so. Overly large clothes will only make you look bigger. The secret to looking slimmer is to

choose clothes that are neither tight nor baggy, meaning that all your clothes should just skim your body without hugging it too closely

Read more: http://in.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_300/308_fashion_advice.html#ixzz2jOPwj4Z3

Go monochromaticA shirt and trousers in two extremely contrasting colors -- like black and white -- will break you in half and make a large middle stand out. Choose tops and bottoms that are identical or similar in color to create a cleaner visual impression and to look 10 pounds slimmer instantly. And, of course, choose all black for the most slimming effect, but add some colored accessories to avoid looking like you have a funeral to attend.

Avoid turtlenecksIf you are heavy-set, avoid turtlenecks at all costs and opt instead for V-neck T-shirts, long-sleeve tops and sweaters. This type of collar draws the eye down with the effect of creating a sleeker silhouette. In addition, a V-neck will give you the illusion of having a longer neck, particularly if you have a short neck or a double chin.

Choose prints carefullyUnless you’re on a drunken adventure through Hawaii, stay away from T-shirts or dress shirts with large or busy prints if you’re a bulky guy. These kinds of prints will draw attention to the upper half of your body, which is especially bad if you have a large belly that you would like to conceal. Obviously, printed shirts add flair to a wardrobe, so you shouldn’t swear them off entirely. You’ll look best in a shirt with a small print that is spaced quite far apart.

Wear a beltA belt will nip in your waistline and make it appear slimmer. Just be sure not to make it so tight that you have a belly overhang.

 the tall and skinny man

Don't wear vertical stripesNo woman wants a man who looks like he’s withering away, so if you’re tall and thin, choose horizontal stripes to bulk you up a bit. A single, large horizontal stripe across the chest area can be particularly flattering because it will make your shoulders appear broader and will make you look like you have a perfect physique.

Avoid monochromatic looksIf you wear a solid color from head to toe (especially black), you’ll seem even thinner than you are, so break up your look by wearing a few different colors in your outfit. Fortunately, playing around with the color palette should be fun and you’ll get to experiment with a lot of different looks.

Choose fitted shirtsLoose-fitting, untucked shirts will billow around you and make you look like the mainsail on a mast, so you’ll want to choose something more fitted instead. While you should avoid skintight shirts because they will accentuate your bony upper half, do choose slim-cut shirts and learn how to layer them to fake a bit more mass.

Avoid round-toed shoes If you’re really tall, shoes with a round toe will make you look disproportionate. To balance out your shape, go for square-toed shoes. When it comes to dress shoes and city shoes, finding square-toe shoes should not present a problem. If you’re at the gym or playing a sport, however, square-toe shoes will be harder to find, so just avoid anything with an overly round shape.

Read more: http://in.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_300/308b_fashion_advice.html#ixzz2jOPqBJqJ

Stay away from skinny jeansThe anorexic female model/‘80s rocker look is never a flattering one for a man, so just say no to skinny jeans. A straight-cut or boot-cut jean with a long inseam will flatter you best.

Choose lighter colorsLighter colors will make you appear slightly larger, so choose whites, creams, light blues, light grays, and pastels to visually bulk you up a bit.

the short man

Opt for square-toed shoesPointy-toe shoes are only OK when you’re taller and your pant leg can cover most of your shoe. If you are smaller, however, long shoes or really big, bulky ones will make you look like less of a professional and more like a joker. Square-toe shoes are best for you.

Wear heels on your shoesAlthough you should avoid wearing overly bulky shoes, you should buy shoes with a substantial heel. Dress boots are a great option for shorter men, and there are so many great styles available nowadays that can be paired with everything from jeans to a suit. To really give yourself added height, wear your dress boots with a longer pant leg that comes to the floor to disguise the heel.

Consider accessoriesClever accessories, like a great necklace, tie or hat can keep people’s eyes on your face, making them less likely to pay attention to your stature. Of all your accessory choices, a hat is probably best as it is a fantastic way to provide the illusion of an extra inch or two of height. And by hat, I don’t mean a formfitting toque. Try a newsboy cap for an artsy look.

Avoid really big prints On smaller bodies, giant prints will overwhelm. One way to add quirk to your closet with prints is to choose small prints, like a graphic black and white print or small checks. So if you’re shorter, have fun with your wardrobe by keeping your prints proportionate to your body.

Wear a small riseThe rise in your pants is the distance between the crotch of your pants and the waistband. Shorter men should wear the smallest rise in their pants that they can get away with because a really long rise will make you look like you have a negative butt, as well as making what you’ve got in front look nonexistent. In contrast, a short rise will visually elongate your legs and avoid making your crotch and bottom area look baggy and empty.

Choose a slimmer necktieSlimmer to medium-sized neckties will avoid overwhelming your frame. Large ties should be avoided if you are short because they will make your body seem disproportionate by comparison. If you are very short, you might want to check out ties that are both slimmer and shorter.

fashion flawsFashion is not a democracy. In the style stakes, no one look exists to make all bodies equally beautiful. However, there are a few decrees that everyone can follow to look their personal best. First, make your tailor your new best friend. No matter what your height or size, only a qualified tailor will be able to ensure your clothes are optimally flattering for your body type. Second, learn what looks good on you and resist jumping on the fad bandwagon (acid-washed, skinny jeans, anyone?).

It’s great to experiment with trendy pieces here and there, but if you try it out in the shop and it doesn’t look good, just forget about it and stick to what you know makes you look and feel great. Follow these rules and you’ll significantly increase your chances of being voted best-dressed guy around.

Read more: http://in.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_300/308c_fashion_advice.html#ixzz2jOPizLqT