CLOTHES FOR MEN
by
Frasers Menswear

FASHIONABLE CLOTHES FOR MEN

To be smartly and fashionably dressed you have to be aware of your body type and know how to mask its deficiencies whilst emphasising the good features.

BODY TYPES

There are three basic body types. It is very unusual for anyone to be simply one body type. Although one particular body type will be dominant, characteristics from the other two types are likely to be present too.

Pictures courtesy of www.betterbodyjournal.com

Ectomorph – tall, thin and wiry (lean and lanky) man with long limbs and narrow torso. Mesomorph – athletic and muscular man with broad shoulders and narrow waist. Endomorph - generally rounded and stout man with big bones, round face, large trunk and thighs.

One of the principal features that determines the correct clothes for a man is the waist and its location. Here we provide a definition of ’long and short waisted’

LONG WAISTED & SHORT WAISTED MEN - A DEFINITION A long waist is a long torso, with the distance between the shoulders and waist (and waist to hip) that is longer than average. If you are a fairly tall man and find trousers are hipsters on you then you are long waisted. The converse of this is a short waist - short torso – which means trouser waistbands always seem to end somewhere near your ribs.

GENERAL ADVICE ON CLOTHES FOR MEN Just stand in front of a full length mirror, and admire that manly physique, those muscles, that well defined jaw…. Oh well. We can all dream! But now remove your clothes. Yes! All of them, in front of the mirror and ….admire !!?

And, that’s why a man needs to wear appropriate clothes. Most of us need all the help dressing we can get. So what works?

Mostly fairly obvious, but it’s worth bearing in mind a few general principles:-

Stripes Lengthen, Checks Shorten Visually, stripes lengthen and checks shorten the figure. That may be a general guide but still doesn’t work every time. Big wide chalk stripes may lengthen, but if you are not only short but slim, they will totally overwhelm you. It works on Nicholas Soames but on you..?

Don’t Wear a Pleated Front Trouser if You’ve a Paunch. As you turn sideways to the mirror- yes, do it – is there a firm ‘six-pack’ abdomen, or a belly, running away from your back-bone? Most of us are in the latter category, and trousers obey the law of physics just as much as the London Eye. They don’t stay in place on a rounding belly, but end up under the bulge creating a pocket at the bottom of the fly. Don’t wear a pleated front trouser – you’ll only emphasise the mass.

Keep Double Breasted Jackets Buttoned. Double breasted jackets work well in covering up the latent ‘pregnancy’. But only if they are kept buttoned up. If flowing free and unbuttoned, the overall effect is an even greater presence. So keep it simple. Wear single breasted, and stay with a two button front, with side vents at the back.

Don’t Have Low Cut Trousers and High Cut Underwear. Young, cool, fashion conscious and under 22? Then fine. No problem with your boxers showing as you walk down the street or bend over. Any older, forget it! Low cut trousers and high cut underwear are not a pretty sight, whatever the colour.

Have Fun with Clothing Accessories. Go for fun when choosing shirts, and even more, ties. Most mens suits are dark, formal and very practical; but there is no reason for the accessories to be so restricted. Mix colours, patterns and fun designs to create your ‘signature’. There are no rules, although some U.S companies are keen on white shirts. So go for it if you can. Enjoy your clothes whatever the occasion. If you are comfortable in what you are wearing you will be more confident. If you’re both comfortable and confident, then you will feel a great deal happier.

SHORT WAISTED MEN Go with hipsters with a short fly Avoid short length sweaters as they tend to emphasise your short waist.

LONG WAISTED MEN Go with long fly trousers. Double breasted jackets and three button jackets are ideal for you.

MEN WITH A FLAT BOTTOM Adopt close fitting trousers with no pleats. Avoid a baggy bottom. Wear lean fitting clothes to emphasise “Racing Snake” appearance

MEN WITH BIG BOTTOMS Wear pleated trousers, Wear loose fitting jackets, shirts and knitwear

MEN WITH A PAUNCH Adopt light weight fabric with a dark colour. Light shades tend to emphasise your paunch. Loose woven shirts ie T shirts and polo shirts are ideal Adopt flat fronted dark coloured trousers.

CLOTHES FOR MEN WHO ARE TALL – casual clothes Avoid vertical stripes as it makes you seems taller Wear your trousers from the waist Make sure your trousers are on the long side. Break up length with contrasting tops and trousers. Go for a comfortable fit on the shoulders and chest. Avoid shoulder padding.

SHORT MENS CLOTHES –casual clothes Opt for vertical stripes as it make you seem taller. Avoid horizontal stripes and checks. Avoid too loose or too tight clothes. Have clothes that are a comfortable fit. Keep your dress simple and opt for a tonal balance between tops and trousers. Avoid chunky, flashy accoutrements eg watch, and don’t have trouser turn-ups. Avoid wide legged trousers. Opt for a distinctive, bright tie which draws the eye upwards. A single breasted suit is preferable to a double breasted.

Follow these tips and you’ll look your best in your clothes.

Frasers Traditional Menswear, PO Box 76, North St, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9WY

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