Knowing how to dress for your body type isn’t as straightforward as you may think. First of all, it’s helpful to know what your body type is - and a lot of guys aren’t aware of that. In this article, we’ll tell you all about clothes for different body types, along with how to dress for them, so you can be sure to always look your best.
How to Dress for Your Body Type
Feeling good in your clothes revolves around knowing what style of clothes to wear. Whatever your body type may be, what’s important is knowing what to highlight and what to minimize, and these types of clothes for your body type will tell you how to do exactly that.
The Five Male Body Types
There are five categories that the typical man could fall into regarding his body type. They include rectangle, inverted triangle, trapezoid, triangle, and oval.
1. The Rectangle
If you have a rectangle-shaped body, you’re taller than the average guy. You probably have a slimmer shape and your shoulders are at the same width as your waist and hips, which gives you a rectangular shape.
How to dress a rectangle body shape means avoiding oversized clothes at all costs. This will overwhelm your slim frame and disguise your body under way too much fabric. Instead, choose clothes that fit well, as these create the illusion of broader shoulders and a bulkier chest. A great way to help with this is by using:
- Layering on top
- Horizontal stripes
- Colors, instead of white or black
- Expert tailoring
For rectangle body shaped outfits.
2. The Triangle
Triangle shaped guys have a wider waist and hips and a slimmer neck and shoulder area. Since this body is a bit disproportionate in terms of sizing, a great way to even it out is by drawing attention to your chest and shoulders and away from your waist.
Much like rectangle body shape outfits for men, you’ll want to avoid anything that’s too oversized. Going with a well-fitted look that is slightly looser than average makes the most of a triangle shaped body.
If you’re shaped like at triangle, try:
- Structured shoulders
- Slim or straight-legged chinos (or jeans)
- Dark colors instead of brights and whites
3. The Inverted Triangle
If you hit the gym on a regular basis and have a muscular chest and shoulders, you most likely fall into the inverted triangle shape. You’re bigger and bulkier on top, and your body tapers in towards your waist.
If you're a guy who’s shaped like an inverted triangle, avoid oversized clothing at all costs. But, on the other hand, you’ll also want to avoid anything that’s exaggeratedly small. It would also be wise to avoid heavy and bold prints, because this will just add more bulk to your top half.
Here are some tips on how to dress for your body type as an inverted triangle:
- Wear tighter fitting or slim t-shirts
- Try v-neck or round neck shirts
- Straight-legged or slim chinos are the way to go (not skinny)
4. The Oval
Much like the rectangle body shape for men, the oval shape is uniform with similar proportions of the chest and shoulders as the lower portion of the body. Guys who fall into the oval category typically look rounder, and they might be on the short side. To make the most of your clothes, find things that slim your torso and lengthen it at the same time.
You definitely don’t want to wear t-shirts that run tight in your midsection, and steer clear of articles that are too big or too small. Instead of hiding your body with too much fabric (which is actually counterproductive), learn how to slim it down with well-fitting clothes.
How to dress an apple-shaped man?
If you have an oval shaped body (or an apple-shaped one), try to wear round body shape outfits like:
- Dark colors on top
- Dark-colored chinos
- Long jackets
- V-neck t-shirts
5. The Trapezoid
The trapezoid is the average male shape, which means you can typically wear clothes right off the rack with this body type. Your shoulders and chest are broad, but not too bulky, and your waist is still the narrowest part of your torso. With this shape, you might be short or tall - there’s not really any constraints there.
What male body shape is most attractive?
Since this is the average body shape for guys, it tends to be seen as the most attractive. But everyone has their own specific taste!
With this shape, don’t hide your body with oversized clothing. Instead, try:
- Tailored suits
- Patterns and colors
- Classic button-down shirts
Looking Your Best
Every guy’s body is different, which means that every guy has the opportunity to own their style in a unique way. For ideas on how to make that happen, visit Perk’s blog.
