If you don’t know your sizes, ask an employee at a clothing store for recommendations. If you’re self-conscious, it may be more comfortable to shop at a men’s store that specializes in big and tall sizes. Be sure to choose clothes that fit you right now. You may have to buy new items in the future if you lose or gain weight in the future, but well-fitting clothes can help you look your best in the present.
Crisp, quality v-neck t-shirts are super versatile. You could wear a v-neck and linen slacks to a barbecue or pair one with a blazer for a business casual look.
Ideally, go for collar spreads wider than a right angle. Look where the collar points meet at the top button and form an angle. That angle should be greater than 90 degrees. Narrow collars look out of proportion with broad features. Next to a narrow collar, a broad face and neck look wider.
Tapered jeans (such as skinny jeans) with wider thighs and thinner ankles can make your legs look disproportionately small and exaggerate your midsection. Pleats can add bulk, so choose pants with flat fronts. Additionally, go for longer hemlines, especially if you’re shorter. They can help elongate your body. [4] X Research source
When you have more to love, minding your proportions is key. If your legs look disproportionately small, the rest of your body will look larger.
Keep the middle button of the blazer buttoned. While you want to go with squared shoulders, keep in mind you should avoid shoulder pads. Padded shoulders can add extra bulk. Avoid jackets with thin lapels, which would look out of balance and make you look bigger.
While lighter fabrics are generally preferable, keep in mind you still want your clothes to give your body definition. Fabric that’s too light and clingy won’t drape well over your body. [8] X Research source
As with any pattern or style, wear stripes in moderation, and don’t wear both striped tops and bottoms at the same time. For instance, you could wear pinstripe pants, a v-neck tee, and a solid blazer to a meet and greet at work. Or you could go to a lunch date wearing a striped button-up and solid slacks.
While darker tones are slimming, that doesn’t mean your wardrobe should be colorless and boring. Add interest to your outfits and go with darker shades of every color instead of just wearing all black all the time. [9] X Research source
If you’re short and stout, you generally want to avoid bold color contrasts. Avoid, for instance, wearing a black top with light khaki pants. Sharp contrasts create a horizontal line at your midsection, which can exaggerate your belly and make you look shorter. While you want to keep color contrasts minimal if you’re stout, lighter shades on top can draw the eye upward and lengthen your body. For example, try wearing a medium to dark blue v-neck sweater and black pants.
Suspenders work particularly well with business casual and dressy attire, and they look great with a sharp blazer.
As a rule of thumb, jewelry should always be in proportion with a person’s body. A giant watch on a thin wrist looks comical, but a hefty watch on a larger wrist looks balanced.
Similarly, thicker knots, such as a Windsor, can balance out a broad neck and face. Recall that a button-up with a widely spread collar is great for broader features. A spread collar also leaves plenty of room for a wide Windsor knot. Be sure that the tip of your tie reaches the upper line of your belt and doesn’t go any lower than the bottom of the buckle.
If you’re self-conscious about carrying a bag, don’t think of it as a “man purse!” A briefcase can send an in-charge, put-together message, and a stylish backpack or leather messenger bag is perfect for less formal looks.
