Savvy dressing is not the prerogative of men who have sculpted bodies alone; even pot-bellied and big-bottomed men can have a share of the stylish pie with a little dressing guide from experts who have used trial and error method to come up with a list of style cues to set the momentum right. Dressing right for big men is about picking the style that flatters your body type. So, go on, check out the style that is just right for your body.
Wear clothes that fit
The first rule of the fashion game is to get clothing that fits your body – whatever be your size. Remember, sagging clothes can make an already plus-sized person appear bulkier. The trick to right dressing is not to float your body in big size clothes as a disguise for the fat under it; it is to find the right fit that is neither hugging your body nor hanging loosely around you. When you are picking a button-down shirt, try it on to see it fits just right across the bust and the stomach, without tugging at the fabric around the button.
If you cannot find one in your favourite brand, get your tailor to stitch the well-fitting shirt and trousers for you.
Keep it simple
Simple patterns can simply tone down your girth. For, busy graphics and patterns are, often, distracting and can unduly draw attention to parts of your body that are out of shape. Follow the ‘simple’ dictum when you pick the fabric too. Thick and heavy clothing can make you look bulky. Opt for lightweight clothing that can drape in neat lines.
Spread the collar
Most style gurus advise dress shirts with spread collars (the distance or the spread between the collar points is wider than usual) to wear a harmonious look with your clothes. This is particularly recommended if you have a broader face. Spread collars will not only present a proportional look, they will also provide the right space to tie a necktie.
Tuck not
Formal wear might require you to tuck your shirt in, but that is not the only style in the fashion book for plus size men – at least not for social gatherings and semi-formal evening dos. Wearing tailored shirts untucked can create the desired look, especially if you do not want to draw attention to the waistband around a large tummy. Look for shirts with round and even hems that can be neatly draped around the trouser waist.
Accessorise
Read that as large accessories – be it the watch on your wrist or the pen in your pocket, bigger accessories have a bigger impact on your style. Bigger accessories are, in some quarters, seen as symbols of power.
Like everything else in fashion and trends, the bottom line is that if an item of clothing does look good on you, even if it is not trending or not meant to dress a plus-size body, wear it and rock your style quotient. For, after all, is said and done, your fashion objective ought to be to get a look that is proportional, balanced and well-framed on your structure.
