How To Dress For Large Gent Body Type
Whether you’re naturally big-boned, have an under-active thyroid, or experience a little self-induced largeness due to the fact you enjoy consuming several meat pies at once, the overweight guy shouldn’t be exempt from looking like a star. Here’s our guide to fashion for the larger gent.
Even if you’re already en route to weight loss, you still need to learn how to dress for your current body type. We’re not saying you have to lose weight in order to look good (we’ll leave Michelle Bridges to convince you of that). What’s more important when it comes to fashion for the larger gent, the acceptance that most ready-to-wear fashion brands are not your friend, nor are the magazines and the fashion lads that parade their clothes.
So turn over that glossy page for good. We’re here to help you suck up that gut, puff out that barrel chest and throw your style weight around a bit. Because looking good is all about confidence, capped off with some simple fashion tips. We’ll have you going – from the fat man to the big man – in no time.
RELATED: The Definitive Guide To Men’s Suit Fit
The key to looking sharper and slimmer is using visual trickery. Firstly, minimize surface area. This means always tucking dress shirts into trousers and with a belt to break up the belly from the crotch, even if it tends to hang further down than it should. Create a vertical line – with a v-neck or a row of buttons – drawing the onlooker’s focus to the center of the body, not your gut. Darken out the big places – belly, butt, or thighs – that you don’t want to emphasize, and wear lighter tones over your slimmer areas. We all have our not-bad-to-better assets, so understand yours and make them work for you.
To prevent yourself from looking like a giant piece of fruit, avoid blocked bright hues such as red, purple, green, yellow, and pink, on shirts and tops. Colored pants are fine but solid neutral colors are where you shine: navy, chocolate, olive, black, and grey. These broad, block spaces in dark shades help complement your shape, perfect for tees, jackets, and knits. Look to standard patterns like checks and stripes on button shirts, as they have a distractive element and spice up a boring work look. Try working checks into shirts on dark hues and subtle stripes on blazers in muted tones. It’s all about light textures with prints rather than anything with busy graphics or patterns.
Every man needs a tailor, and with fashion for the larger gent, it is no exception. Because you’re beyond normal proportions and most likely can’t buy a suit off the retail rack, skip the boutique straight away and see the man with the tape measure and thread. Made-to-measure suiting or bespoke, where you can select everything from button color to lapel width, will cost more than an in-store suit but it will fit you like a glove. And a quality fabric in a timeless hue will last you through the ages.
RELATED: Men’s Suit Fit -Your Definitive Guide
For trousers, opt for a full break on my pants, with the pant skimming heel or slightly shorter. The jacket should cut the shoulder sharply and when fastened should sit flat with no pulling, obscuring nicely the belly or ‘frum’.
RELATED: Suit Styles Details And How To Tell Them Apart
Light yet sturdy fabrics should make up your wardrobe. Too thick, and the materials will add bulk to your frame; too thin and you’ll be exposing your lumps and bumps. For suits, separates, coats, and knits, go for wool, cashmere, and silk, avoiding polyester. Heavy, cheap fabrics retain heat and lead to increased sweating. Cotton is key for shirts, tees, and chino pants but all need a small amount of polyester (so read the label in the seam of the garment). The synthetic fiber can add durability and sturdiness, as well as offering shape and fewer crinkles.
In summary, go for smooth, natural fabrics (with a touch of polyester) that hang close to the body without looking chunky. Selvage denim is key for jeans and will mold to your shape for a customized fit. But push through the first uncomfortable months, where the denim can be a little stiff. When it comes to other pant styles, and an important rule with fashion for the larger gent, natural fabrics will keep you cool, and made of a sturdy fabric, will create a clean line from the waist to the ground.
Simplicity is your fashion friend. Search for clothes that are clean and shaped to the body. The key is structural suits, jackets, and blazers that add a nice ‘squaring’ from the shoulders down and give shape automatically. Then, as the coat drapes, the body becomes naturally framed and contained within the garment. Again, the structure is key for bottoms too. Trousers are the silhouette you want, as opposed to track pants and athletic gear, which can offer sloppiness – unless you’re working out. Separates provide a nice flat front but ensure they are clean, without pleats. If the occasion is more casual, chino pants are the big guy’s off-duty go-to as well. Other simplicity tips: eliminate chunky wallets and keys from pockets by investing in a document holder, briefcase, or backpack for a more streamlined stride.
READ ALSO: How To Dress Short Guy Body Type To Look Taller
The shirt is too tight if you can’t cross your arms off if the buttons are stressed during movement. It should fit comfortably without pulling, grabbing, or bunching in any visible area. Buy a slim-fit dress shirt. Wearing a shirt that hugs your shoulders, waist, and chest will automatically create a slimmer image. Look for shirts in slim, extra slim, modern, or athletic fits. Be careful not to overdo the slim cut. Wear V-neck sweaters in a thin knit. The V-neck creates the illusion of height and slims down the frame. Wear thin knit cotton, wool, (choose merino over lambswool) cashmere, silk, or other blends that sit high on the waist and hips and snug in the shoulders, chest, and arms. Avoid thick knit, heavy, and bulky sweaters as they only add weight to the man’s frame.
Buy slim, flat, or plain front pants in dark colors such as gray, and navy. Avoid pleats whenever possible. Flat or plain front pants give the man a cleaner waist and use less material than pleats which add weight to the frame instead of shedding it. Wear pinstripes frequently. Men should wear pants, trousers, and slacks at their natural waist. The hem of the pant should break at the top of the shoe showing no sock when walking. Any longer and this creates a hefty look. Any shorter and legs will look short and stocky instead of long and lean. Jeans should be of a dark, plain wash as dark colors hide imperfections in weight. The leg should be straight cut and the waist should sit on the hips. This is the most flattering jean style for men who want to look slimmer.
Dress shoes should be of high-quality leather, thin-soled, and with a round toe. Avoid square-toe, thick, rubber-soled shoes at all costs. Also, avoid the extremely pointed toe as this is a fashion statement and not a true style. The round toe lengthens the leg which makes the man look tall and lean. Thick soles only add weight and heft. Boots naturally are heavier and thicker than dress shoes and add weight to any frame. However, Chelsea boots, desert boots, and other ankle-height boots with minimal embellishments in a round toe and thin sole can help slim the frame of a man.
Choose topcoats, overcoats, jackets, Parkas, and other outerwear in the same size as your suit jacket. Many men make the mistake of buying outwear too large. This creates excess material that makes the man look heavier than he is. Buy topcoats and overcoats that stop 3-4 inches above the knee and have no more than three buttons. This is the most flattering arrangement for a man trying to slim his figure. Buy jackets that are one size above the size that is too small.
Jackets should stop at the waist and sleeves should be kept shorter to lengthen the arms. Do not buy jackets with elastic waistbands. This adds weight to the midsection. You might even want to try wearing some suspenders for a more casual look. If you’re wondering which type of suspenders would be best for you and your figure.
Choose scarves, hats, glasses, gloves, tie bars, and other accessories with minimal material, vertical lines, muted colors, and minimal shapes and embellishments. The adage “less is more” comes into play here. The fewer accessories worn the less the man must do to slim his frame. These simple strategies can be employed by the average man or the CEO who wants to slim and trim his silhouette without sweating a drop in the gym or missing his favorite meal because of a restricted diet. Put them together and be sure to thank everyone when they notice how much weight you’ve lost.
