Here's Exactly How to Dress for These Common Body Types

Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a world where everything off the rack actually fit you perfectly?

Unfortunately, sizing is based on an average of body types — very few men are actually a true small, medium or large. This can make shopping about as enjoyable as sitting in a middle seat on an international flight.

The surest (if maybe not the cheapest) way to a flattering wardrobe involves a trip to the tailor, but there are other options, too. Whether you're a ripped power-lifter who struggles to find fabrics and cuts that accommodate all your gains, or you've been on vacation and have a hint of a belly showing from all those afternoon beers by the pool, here's how to dress for your body type, no matter what it is.

You can bench press 150kg but can’t find a shirt with sleeves that fit. Sound familiar? If your arms and chest are especially built, it’s hard to find a shirt that fits without making you look like a cast member of Jersey Shore. Sizing up is common mistake, since a larger size may fit your arms, but not your waist. Instead, look for button downs and T-shirts with a more narrow cut, in a fabric with some stretch.

You let your love of gourmet burgers become a hobby. (Hey, it happens.) Oversized patterns and too-tight fits emphasise your gut. Instead, look for vertical stripes and v-necks, which help draw the eye down and elongate your torso. Darker, solid colours are more slimming, but if you want to wear pattern, stick to smaller, neater prints. While it may seem counter-intuitive, a tailored jacket that fits close to the body gives your look polish without highlighting your love of beef.

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You don’t skip leg days – and it shows. Skinny jeans won’t work if your legs give The Rock a run for his money. Opt for a straight leg fit, which flatters your form by hugging the seat and giving the thighs some room. Stretch denim is your ally, so look for jeans that have elastic or polyester in the fabric. Warning: anything more than a few per cent stretch and you’re veering into dangerous jegging territory. A patterned shirt can also help balance the proportion between your top and bottom half.

The eternal problem of the tall and lean: pants that fit in the waist but hit roughly six inches from your ankle. The fix? Shorts, every day! Maybe not. Besides the obvious of choosing brands that carry longer inseams, look for garments with horizontal elements — like stripes. Lean men can get away with big, bold patterns. Don’t shy away from a narrower fit, which will actually make you look bulkier. Opt for tailored, slim or modern fit shirts, which are often tapered in the back to remove excess fabric. And for pants stick to slim or slim straight fits so you aren’t drowning in fabric down below.

This article originally appeared on Men's Health.

Here's Exactly How to Dress for These Common Body Types

STACKED ON TOP

SPARE TYRE

MUSCULAR LEGS

TALL AND LEAN

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