The Reason Why so Many Men End up as Fashion Disasters Despite Trying Hard, Is Because Unlike Women, Most Opt for What Looks Good, Not What Looks Good on Them. Hear What Fashion Observer Sonali Kokra Has to Say
How many times have you heard the woman in your life bemoan the fact that a gorgeous dress just doesn’t work for her “body type”? My guess is, more times than you can count. If you’re anything like the vast majority of men I’ve encountered, you’ve probably also wondered what all this brouhaha about body types is and thanked your lucky stars that men don’t really have to worry about it. After all, most of you are shaped similarly, right? Wrong! While it’s true that because men aren’t as naturally curvy as women, there are fewer variations in how your bodies are proportioned, men do have some very distinct body types and, dare we call them, problem areas. And the reason why so many men end up as fashion disasters despite trying very hard not to is because, unlike women, most of you are dressing for what looks good, not what looks good on you. Two extra words, but they can make a world of difference to how you look.So, here’s a guide to help you understand your body type, recognise what you’re doing wrong and fix it. Must read for men who are novices; and a refresher for the others!
The Heavy Lifter
his body type is characterised by broad shoulders and chest but a narrower lower frame. Think athletes or, like the name suggests, weight-lifters. If you find that you’re generously proportioned on the top, there are some very simple things you can do to draw the eye downwards. First off, rush to ditch all the skinny pants you might have.
They make your hip area look narrower and instantly make the eyes trail upwards. Try straight or relaxed slim cuts instead. These pastel picks from Arvind on the right are good bets – in shape and colours – as they can be mixed and matched with a wide range of separates. You can pair with your choice of blazer or take to wearing V-necked T-shirts instead of round-neck ones since they narrow the chest and draw the eyes downwards.
If you have a heavy lifter’s frame, belts are your friends since they bulk up the lower half. The good news for this body type is that with the right tailoring, you can look like a woman’s wet dream. The bad news is that you’ll probably find it harder than most to find clothes that fit right off the rack.