Finding the perfect suit can feel like an art form, but it’s well worth the effort. A well-tailored suit not only looks fantastic but also enhances your natural shape, giving you confidence and style in equal measure.
Navigating the options doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little advice and research, as well as expertise in the suit selection process at hand, you can easily choose a suit that complements your body type.
Before that day, however, spending some time considering your proportions and the details of your silhouette can help you get a suit that perfectly balances comfort and elegance, all while highlighting your best features.
Male Body Shape Types
Before we go into the specific suits, it’s good to get an understanding of the basic male body shapes. While bodies come in all different, and wonderful, shapes and sizes there are five main types used in the style and design world:
Triangle
Men with a triangle body shape typically have broader hips and a narrower chest and shoulders. This can create a slightly unbalanced look that a well-chosen suit can correct. To balance this shape, it’s essential to focus on creating a stronger upper body appearance while downplaying the lower half.
Inverted Triangle
The inverted triangle shape is characterised by broad shoulders and a wide chest that taper down to a slim waist and hips. This athletic build often benefits from tailoring that refines the overall silhouette without overemphasising the upper body.
Rectangle
Rectangle-shaped men have shoulders, chest, and hips that are nearly the same width. The goal here is to add structure and visual interest, creating the illusion of a more defined frame. With the right suit, it’s easy to introduce proportions that even out this shape.
Oval
Oval-shaped men tend to have a wider waist than shoulders, creating a rounded overall silhouette. The focus for this body shape is to elongate and streamline the appearance while ensuring comfort and a polished look.
Trapezoid
The trapezoid body shape is considered the most proportionate, with shoulders and chest slightly broader than the waist and hips. The key is to maintain balance and avoid extremes in cuts or patterns.
Why Knowing Your Body Shape Helps With Suit Choices
Understanding your body shape is a crucial step in finding a suit that truly fits and flatters. Suits are not one-size-fits-all, and the wrong fit can detract from your overall appearance, no matter how expensive the fabric or stylish the design.
By identifying your body type, you can choose cuts, styles, and details that work harmoniously with your proportions rather than against them, especially if you get them custom made.
As AskOkey outlines in this short, your clothes should fit and work with you, rather than against you:
Knowing your shape also simplifies the search for the suit, whether that be from hiring or buying. Instead of sifting through countless options, you can focus on the styles that suit your frame, saving time and avoiding frustration.
A suit tailored to your body type not only enhances your physical appearance but also boosts your confidence, ensuring you look and feel your best for any occasion.
Dressing the Triangle Shape
To begin with, let’s discuss the triangle shape. With the primary challenge being balancing the broader hips with the narrow shoulders, how can this body type dress its best?
Enhancing the Shoulders
Men with a triangle body shape typically have broader hips and a narrower chest and shoulders. To balance this shape, focus on enhancing the upper body.
Jackets with structured shoulders add volume to this area, creating the impression of broader shoulders. Wide lapels can also draw attention upward, balancing the overall look.
Slimming the Torso and Legs
Dark, slim-fit trousers help to elongate your lower half without drawing unnecessary attention. Pair these with single-breasted jackets and waistcoats that add a vertical line to your torso, giving a sleeker overall silhouette.
Avoid loud patterns or horizontal stripes as these can add bulk to the hips and thighs. Instead, opt for solid colours or subtle pinstripes.
Styling for the Inverted Triangle
Next up, the inverted triangle shape gives men the reverse challenge of balancing a wider top half with the lower parts of the body. How can we make this look brilliant?
Soften the Broad Shoulders
The inverted triangle shape is characterised by broad shoulders and a wide chest that taper down to a slim waist and hips. To create harmony, opt for jackets with softer shoulders and minimal padding.
Double-breasted styles can help balance the look, but avoid exaggerated lapels that might overemphasise the upper body. A lightly tapered jacket can refine the silhouette.
Balance the Lower Half
Trousers with a straight or slightly tapered cut work well, as they draw attention downwards without clinging to the legs.
Ensure your jacket is tailored to avoid being too snug around the chest while still fitting neatly at the waist. This creates a streamlined yet relaxed silhouette.
Lighter colours or subtle patterns in the trousers can also help balance the overall look, so feel free to play with greys and blues, or other lighter tones.
Adding Shape to the Rectangle Body
Following on with the uniform-shape of the rectangle body, here’s what can be done to help add some shaping.
Building Shoulder Definition
Rectangle-shaped men have shoulders, chest, and hips that are nearly the same width. Structured jackets with broader lapels can create the impression of a more defined upper body.
Adding details such as pocket squares, patterned ties, or textured fabrics helps draw attention to the chest area and adds personality to your outfit.
Adding Dimension to the Torso
Choose trousers that are slim without being skinny to maintain proportion. Single- or double-breasted jackets with fitted waists can add the illusion of a more tapered torso, creating a flattering silhouette.
Layering with waistcoats or patterned shirts can also introduce depth and variety. Look for patterns like checks or windowpanes to add visual interest.
Streamlining the Oval Shape
Oval shapes can be seen as challenging, but there’s no reason to worry. It only takes a few key tips to help men with this shape look as sharp as any other.
Creating Vertical Lines
Oval-shaped men tend to have a wider waist than shoulders, creating a rounded overall silhouette. The focus for this body shape is to elongate and streamline the appearance.
Single-breasted jackets with a low button stance draw the eye downward, creating a vertical line. Avoid bulky fabrics and instead opt for lightweight materials that drape well.
Tailoring for Comfort and Style
Trousers with a straight cut help balance the overall silhouette, and darker colours – or even black-tie wedding looks – can have a slimming effect. Look for jackets with minimal padding to avoid adding unnecessary bulk.
Styling the Trapezoid Shape
Last but not least, helping this body type look cut and sharp takes a few little tricks. Here’s what we advise:
Emphasising Proportions
The trapezoid body shape is considered the most proportionate, with shoulders and chest slightly broader than the waist and hips. This shape suits a wide variety of styles. Single- or double-breasted jackets work well, but it’s important to ensure the fit is tailored to maintain balance. Avoid overly slim or excessively loose cuts.
Experimenting with Styles
This versatile shape allows for more experimentation with colours, patterns, and textures. Try checked or patterned fabrics to add personality to your look. Slim-fit trousers paired with a fitted jacket ensure a polished appearance.
Tips for Shorter Men
Shorter men, you are seen, and you have more options than you may think. With the right tailoring and cuts of jackets, you’ll be looking suave and confident in your suit.
Lengthen Your Silhouette
Shorter men benefit from suits that elongate their figure. Opt for single-breasted jackets with low buttons to create a longer line. Avoid oversized suits or excessively wide lapels, as these can overwhelm a smaller frame.
Trousers should be tailored to avoid excessive fabric pooling at the ankles, which can disrupt the clean, sleek look.
Subtle Styling Tricks
Stick to monochromatic or tonal colour schemes, as they create a sense of height and continuity. Vertical stripes or pinstripes can also subtly elongate the body.
When choosing accessories, keep them proportional: Narrow ties and smaller lapel pins work best. Avoid long jackets or double-breasted styles that may shorten the appearance of your torso.
Tips for Larger Men
There is no reason a larger man shouldn’t look incredible in a well-tailored suit. While it can feel daunting to get suited up for a big day, there’s always a way to properly balance looking sharp with being comfortable, without compromising either. Just look at @thebigartorialist for inspiration!
https://www.tiktok.com/@thebigsartorialist/video/7227846351059701038
Still, for those who want a bit more help, here’s some extra bits of advice to consider.
Prioritising Comfort and Proportion
For larger men, the key is to find a balance between feeling great and looking great. Look for suits with a slightly looser fit that skim the body without clinging. Fabrics with a slight stretch provide ease of movement while maintaining structure.
Darker colours are generally flattering, but don’t shy away from subtle patterns or textures. Pinstripes or vertical detailing can elongate the frame, adding height and balancing the visuals of the outfit.
Choosing Tailored Accessories
Jackets with a single vent at the back allow for greater mobility, while a double-breasted style can provide a slimming effect if well-fitted. Avoid excessively tight or loose clothing, as both can exaggerate the size of your frame.
Accessories such as pocket squares or ties in bold colours can draw attention upward, creating balance, and can even be tied into wider wedding colour schemes or themes for an added personal touch for the event. Or, for other events, consider other elements.
For instance, a graduation suit could be paired with a university logo pocket square, or colours of the school in question, race days suits could bring in equine patterns into ties and other accessories, and so on.
Other Details That Make a Difference
No matter your shape, the devil is in the details. Pay attention to sleeve and trouser lengths: A perfectly tailored suit should fall just right, with no excess fabric.
Fabric choice is equally important; lightweight materials work well for summer events, while heavier fabrics add structure in cooler weather.
Accessorising can also make or break your look. The right tie, pocket square, or cufflinks can elevate a simple suit and make it truly personal.
Be mindful of proportion when selecting these finishing touches, and consider how they complement your suit’s overall style. Experiment with textures and layers to create depth without overwhelming your frame.
Dressing for your body shape is all about highlighting your best features while ensuring you feel comfortable and confident. Whatever the occasion, from weddings to graduations, taking the time to tailor your choice to your unique shape will ensure you’re dressed to impress.