Dressing for Your Body Type: Understanding and Enhancing Men’s Personal Style

Photograph: Freepik

Gone are the days of rummaging through the racks for the next trendy piece. Today, it is all about understanding and embracing your body shape and proportions, so you can make well informed decisions about clothing styles, cuts, and fits that enhance your unique physique and ultimately help you evolve into the style icon you were always destined to become. Think of it like constructing a superhero suit à la Bruce Wayne. You would not just slap on any old fabric, right? You would pick materials and styles that accentuate your strengths, boost your self-esteem & confidence, and craft your personal “Batsuit” worthy of saving the day.

Although each man's physique is unique, body shapes are generally classified into five overarching categories: Trapezoid, Rectangle, Oval, Triangle and Inverted Triangle, and are often categorised based on the shape of the torso and how it compares to the shoulders, waist, and hips. 

Here's a foolproof guide we've put together to help you grasp this concept:

1. Trapezoid: Also known as Rhomboid

Men with this physique often possess broad & well-defined shoulders and chest, resulting in an upper body with a trapezoidal or wedge-like appearance. Notably, the waist is slimmer than the shoulders and hips, contributing to a robust and athletic silhouette. Daniel Craig, our beloved 007, stands as one of the finest representations of the trapezoid physique.

When choosing outfits, oversized clothing is a no no. The objective for this body type typically involves accentuating the shoulders and chest while maintaining proportion throughout the torso. This can be achieved by opting for fitted tops to highlight the upper body and choosing bottoms that harmonise with the proportions of the shoulders and hips.

2. Rectangle: The David Beckham Physique

The Rectangle is the most common and versatile body shape in the world. It essentially implies that your shoulder width aligns with your waist and hips, resulting in a, let's say, rectangular silhouette. 

You should strive to wear garms that achieve a tapered silhouette, enhancing the impression of broad shoulders and a more substantial chest. When styling outfits for a rectangle, the aim is typically to craft the appearance of a more pronounced waistline and to inject visual intrigue into the torso region.

3. Oval: The Rounded Physique

The oval body type, also referred to as round or apple-shaped, is a common body shape especially among the older men and is identified by a more rounded midsection with minimal waist definition. Individuals with this body type typically carry additional weight around the abdominal region, resulting in a softer and more rounded appearance. 

Men with this physique should steer clear of clothes that draw attention to their torso. Instead, you should prioritise comfort and style your looks with flowing & oversized clothing. Experimenting with layering and strategic patterns can also help enhance this build.

4. Triangle: The A-Shaped Silhouette

You fall into the triangle category if your waist and hips are wider than your shoulders in comparison. If your lower body is proportionally larger than your upper body, you have a trianglular shape. For men who have the A-Shaped silhouette, it's essential to emphasise your shoulders and chest while diverting attention from your waist.

Choose clothing pieces that direct attention towards your shoulders to achieve balance. Opt for garments featuring embellishments or detailing around the neck or shoulders for a flattering look and keep away from clothing items that accentuate your waist.

5. Inverted Triangle: Greek God Body

The rarest and the most desired body shape is the Inverted Triangle or the V-shaped, with only five per cent of the population naturally possessing this physique. Individuals like our own Greek god, Hrithik Roshan, often boast well-defined shoulders and chest, coupled with a narrowed waist, and the difference between the size of their upper body and waist being extreme, resulting in a V-shaped silhouette.

Avoid excessively loose or oversized clothing, and instead, opt for snug-fitting garments that are sleek and understated to accentuate the contours of your torso.

Ultimately, no matter your body shape, we as gentlemen should recognise that diversity is beautiful and celebrate men of all shapes and sizes confidently embracing their distinct styles. In the weeks ahead, discover in-depth guides on each male body type, packed with personalised styling tips to flatter your unique build.