Large Men Style Tips: The Dos and Don’ts

Attention, men! No matter your body size, you can create a unique style that steams with confidence.

In so many instances, big is beautiful. We glamorize huge houses, large animals, massive tree trunks cars can drive through and cakes the size of stadiums. When it comes to our figures, however, mainstream media for the past several decades has been critical of those with full-figures for no reason other than adherence to an imaginary “ideal” of what a body should look like. Around 2008, however, when social media really started spreading its wings, body positivity found its platform and voice — and with it came a fresh surge of plus-size style and an acceptance of all body types.

Whether you’re looking to rep casual wear, like super soft men’s 3xl t-shirts or hoping to rock something a bit preppier, like classic three-button polo shirts, defining your unique style should be a joyful experience, no matter your shape or size. If you have a larger frame, there are ways to embrace your body in all its glory and create a look you feel incredible in.

Here are our style dos and don’ts for men looking to love and outfit their full figures.

The Dos

The key to finding what works for your unique body and sense of style is to play around. You won’t know it works if you don’t first try. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Do: Stick with What You Love – You know what they say … if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. This holds especially true when it comes to fashion. If there’s a particular brand, item or style you love, buy them all — in every color, fabric and variety you can get your hands on. Got a staple undershirt you wear with everything? Buy the entire men’s t-shirt pack. There is absolutely no shame in bulk buying when it comes to a piece of clothing you know works with your body and highlights your unique style.
2. Do: Play with Accessories – Accessories are incredible because they bring a fresh feel and attitude to your outfit. If you’re the type to “stick with what you love” (see above) then pair your basic undershirt with a pair of tortoise shell glasses, a cross-body messenger bag or a bright pair of sneakers. This is a quick and easy way to make your outfits stand apart. The right hat can make an outfit more casual or formal, depending on the style; the same goes with belts, bow ties, jewelry … you name it.

Don’t be afraid to try things on at a store, either — even if you aren’t ready to commit to purchase. Once you know what you like, you can start exploring options online and start filling your closet with fun accent pieces for any and every occasion.

1. Do: Experiment with Layers, Colors and Patterns – Playing with layers, colors and fabric patterns is great because each of these can help you define, or minimize, parts of the body, depending on how you’re feeling that day.

If you’re feeling a little self-conscious about your midsection, throw a flannel button-up around your waist or over your t-shirt to create more texture and movement surrounding the torso. If you love your shoulders and want to show them off, wear a light colored tee to draw attention to the upper body. Dark colors and vertical stripes trick the eye and visually tighten and elongate the torso. Similarly, a bright pocket square or belt will draw attention to itself and away from the other parts of the body.

Utilizing these items and characteristics is also a great way to turn old items into new outfits. By creating mix and match varieties, you can repurpose outdated pieces so they look and feel brand new. For a touch of timeless elegance and sophistication, explore the fashion options available at Southern Polished.

1. Do: Wear What Feels Best On – Your unique style will emerge when you choose items you feel good in. When you feel good, you look good. We want to strive each day to feel our very best, and what we wear plays a huge part in how we feel. So try things on and make a mental note: Was I happy in this outfit all evening, or was I distracted by the way this hugged my body? Asking and answering questions about your clothing choices and your mood will help you create an honest style you feel good about.

The Don’ts

1. Don’t: Wear Clothing Too Large for You – It might seem like the larger the body, the larger the clothing should be, but this isn’t always the case. In reality, choosing items only slightly larger than your figure will help frame your torso much better and create a trimmer and tighter look. In contrast, baggier clothing will make the figure appear shapeless and without definition, which will make you seem larger than you are. By contouring the body just right, you won’t get lost in a sea of fabric that does nothing for your figure.
2. Don’t: Be Hard on Yourself – We are so much more than our bodies. Of course, we want to be strong and healthy in our skin, but our shape and size does not define who we are. This can be a difficult pill to swallow because other people’s perceptions of us are often first triggered by our outward appearance … however, we cannot control what other people think of us. So it’s our job to remind ourselves that we are more than our physical stature.

On the contrary, we are our stories, our experiences and the people who love us. We offer support to our friends, advice for our families and input at work. We shape the space around us as we move through life simply by existing as our authentic selves. This is just something to keep in mind as you try to create fashion that speaks to who you are. Yes, your clothing choices can help define your style, but they don’t define you in your entirety. So dress energetically and enjoy your choices, but don’t let them weigh you down whatsoever.

In the End

When it all boils down, we just want to enjoy our lives. Clothing plays a huge part in how we feel about ourselves and move through the day. So do certain things that help you define your style — and don’t do the things that might hinder you. It’s as simple as that.