As a mens stylist and personal shopping consultant, I have had a lot of experience styling men with larger stomachs. When you have that extra cushion around your midsection, you may feel that it’s difficult to look confident in your clothes. The key to looking sharp in your outfit is to divert attention away from your belly. I believe that with the right clothing, you can look dapper in every occasion.
Here are some style tips that will not only make you look good, but also make you feel comfortable and confident in your clothes.
Go for dark colours like navy, black and charcoal – darker colours are more slimming on the body, so are a perfect choice when it comes to dressing a beer gut. Pairing a dark coloured top with a similar colour pair of trousers can create a balanced and proportionate look because the eye travels up and down the body and does not focus on the stomach.
Invest in a good tailor – Some guys settle for buying suits that are too big, to try and hide their beer belly. As a rule, loose clothing will only make you look bigger. A good tailor can ensure your suit fits you well, giving you more room in your stomach area while highlighting the slimmer parts of your body.
Skip the baggy pants – It may be tempting to hide your beer belly with baggy jeans, but trust me, a well-tailored pair of trousers and chinos can make you look good and slimmer.
Avoid tight t-shirts – Choose a regular fit instead of a slim fit. A regular fit should line up with your shoulders and hang close to your chest while having a straight line all the way down for some breathing room in your belly area.
Choose your best fabrics – any fabric with stretch will want to cling and grab, which is why I’ll often style a bigger guy in a polo shirt rather than a t-shirt. The V-neck can also make the torso look longer and your frame look slimmer. Fabrics with some weight – i.e. woven knits and heavier cottons – will be more flattering on the stomach.
Make sure your button down shirts fit perfectly – Don’t make the mistake of wearing a button down shirt that is either too tight or too loose. Try to strike a balance between what is comfortable and what looks good. The shoulders should fit you well and the shirt should follow the natural line of your torso and when tucked into your trousers, should not cause excessive fabric at the waist.
Choose your prints and stripes wisely – Wearing printed and striped shirts can be a tactical choice when you choose wisely. When it comes to patterned shirts, choose smaller prints, checks and stripes for a visual effect that is great for camouflaging the stomach. Always opt for vertical stripes shirt and definitely avoid horizontal stripes.
Wear a jacket – A jacket is one of your best assets when it comes to disguising and slimming your mid-section. A well cut blazer will not only disguise the gut, it visually cuts the upper body into thirds which is a good thing because it makes you look narrower. Anyblazer, jacket or overcoat should fit your shoulders comfortably, and with your shoulders accentuated it will help to balance out your stomach, creating the illusion of a slimmer frame.
Never button ON the stomach – it’s an easy rule. When buttoning your blazer or sports jacket, NEVER button up the bottom button. Only do up the top!
Stand up straight! – This does not only make your belly look smaller, but it also makes you look taller, slimmer and more confident in an instant!
If you’d like more advice from Melbourne’s leading men’s stylist Sally Mackinnon, get in touch!
Category: Body Shape, Fashion Advice, Mens
