If you are a man, it would be tempting for you to think that, if you are keen on dressing to impress, you can win a lot of the battle simply by slipping into visually appealing clothing.
In practice, however, the equation isn’t quite as simple as that — as it is important to make sure that the attire you opt for is suitable for your particular body type.
To help you, here is a rundown of various male body types — and, for each one, clothing that would suit.
Triangle body type
Real Men Real Style explains: “Most men are predisposed to being larger around the waist and hips in relation to the top part of their bodies, especially as they get older.”
While you shouldn’t be quick to assume that having a triangular body type means you are out of shape, you could struggle to find clothes that make your body as a whole look proportional. Tailored patterned blazers and vertical stripes tend to work well for this body type.
Inverted triangle body shape
You probably have this kind of physique if you weekly spend hours working out at the gym, as doing so can accentuate your shoulders and thighs while leaving you with a narrow waist.
When selecting clothes, you should therefore make sure they will fit you closely and draw attention to your torso’s clean, sharp lines.
However, it would be wise to size up when seeking the right slim-fit shirt, as you want to just hint classily at your buff body rather than a scream from the rooftops about it.
Rectangle body shape
This is something of an ‘iPhone physique’ — since, yes, your torso would be shaped very much like a rectangle. Usually, in this situation, you would be tall and thin in the frame, while your shoulders, waist, and hips would all roughly match in width.
Your objective with your clothing should thus be to visibly widen the shoulders. Horizontal stripes across your upper torso could help with this, as could layered looks. There are men’s suits available in multiple pieces capable of collectively adding appreciable bulk to your silhouette.
Oval body shape
This is where the torso is wider at its centre than the shoulders and hips. One key rule here is to go for simple clothing pieces in solid colors. That means avoiding patterns and visual clutter where possible, as you could consequently end up emphasizing your midsection.
What you instead want to do is guide people’s gazes up your body and onto your face — as wearing pleats and neckties can encourage.
Trapezoid body shape
This is basically the easiest type of body to dress, as it represents the ‘average’ build and so the majority of off-the-rack clothing will go well with it as long as minor adjustments are made.
If you have a trapezoid body, your torso’s waist will be its narrowest point while the collarbone and shoulders will be the widest parts — but the overall effect will be subtler than that of an inverted triangle body shape.