Plus-sized fashion for men

Plus-sized fashion for men is all about proportion and balance, and that’s easy to achieve, writes Paresh Lamba

For too long, men have not been given importance when it comes to body shapes. Regardless of styles and body shapes, there’s no doubt that the most important element of ‘big guy fashion’ is the fit. Bespoke attires are all you need to express individuality. But you do have to know that plus-size clothing patterns have traditionally been graded up from a smaller construction pattern.

Basics first

A great wardrobe will present your body in the most flattering way possible. The basic plus-sized garments are checkered shirts with trendy designs, graphic or plain t-shirts, full-sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, vests, unlined jackets, straight-fit trousers. Accentuate your upper and lower torso by carrying pinstripes with clean and neat silhouettes. Classic pinstripes make a person look much taller and slimmer at the same time.

One of the best things to do is avoid all checks if you can. If you’re a person who loves checks, then stick to self-checks (small checks that aren’t very prominent). The important rule to follow when it comes to plus-sized fashion is proportion and balance. Bespoke clothing makes sure that there is always proportion and balance in the cut, design and fit.

Clothing styles for men, regardless of size, should give a clear, clean and defined shape to the body. There’s a simple rule of thumb here: the better the fit, the more comfortable you will feel and the more body confidence you’ll have when wearing your outfit. If an item is ill-fitting and has strains, bulges, sagging or wrinkles, it is amplified on plus-sized clothing.

One of the biggest mistakes that a slightly chubby man can make is to buy clothes that are several sizes too big in a bid to disguise his shape. If your clothing is too big, you will draw attention to your weight, add bulk to your body, and give a sloppy impression. Instead, you want your clothes fitted, not tight, which means your clothes should be touching your body but, at the same time, must not be too tight or too loose. You want your clothes to ‘frame’ your body shape, not hide it or hug it.

What kind of clothes should you go in for?

* Wear a cool jacket. A great jacket can draw attention away from your midsection. Throw it on over a t-shirt or a shirt and you’re good to go. Ensure your pants balance out the look.

* Play with proportion and throw some cognitive dissonance into the mix. People won’t notice your gut when you’re rocking slim pants with a long t-shirt and a slim hoodie. It creates the illusion of exaggerated proportions, so people won’t know where your stomach starts or even
see your spare tire poking through your shirt.

* Avoid tight t-shirts. T-shirts should be a bit loose without being baggy, tall tee. Avoid slim fits and go for a regular fit that has a bit of breathing room. A well-fitting tee should line up with your shoulders and fit a little close to the chest, but keep a straight line all the way down, allowing for a bit of looseness.

* Wear low-rise jeans as these jeans stop before your stomach, which means they help hide your gut.

* Get button downs that actually fit. Most guys make the mistake of either buying their shirts so tight that they can’t breathe or so loose that they don’t fit. Achieve a happy medium between what feels comfortable and what looks right.

* Slim down your pants and tailor your suits.

* Embrace dark colours. Darker colours like navy, black, grey, and charcoal have been keeping heavier dudes looking great for years. They have a much more slimming effect than light colours because it’s much harder to discern small differences in fabric like wrinkles, pulling, and they’re so subtle that they don’t draw too much visual attention to the areas you’re trying to hide.

Get it right

* Dress to your size. Garments that are too large will not ‘hide’ you and they will actually exacerbate your size instead.

* If you want to wear stripes, go for thin, vertical ones.

* Avoid baggy jeans like the plague! Opt for skinny or slim-fit jeans instead.

* Go large on the accessories. Choose hats, scarves, glasses and bags that draw the attention away from the torso.

* A single-breasted suit jacket with a low-placed fastening is best for a larger man.

(The author is founder, designer and couture evangelist, Paresh Lamba Signatures)