Be Careful With Pattern

Pattern is a powerful thing, and the more of it there is on display, the more powerful its effects. On big physiques, busy prints can start to feel a bit overwhelming. Instead, think classic and straightforward, like a Breton top (and you can ignore that nonsense about horizontal stripes widening you).

Wardrobe Essentials For Bigger Guys

Structured Tailoring

Tailoring has always been the rounder man’s best friend. A jacket with padding in the shoulders and a nipped-in waist will create a more flattering shape, especially when the buttons sit low. “A deep gorge with long lapels creates a V shape, which makes you look slimmer,” says Kemp.

Asos

Dark Tees

That old saw about black being slimming is actually true; dark clothes don’t show shadows, so any lumps and bumps that sit underneath aren’t as visible. You don’t have to wear the stuff head-to-toe, but it’s especially good for tees, sweats and shirts, which act as a neutral and flattering base to build the rest of your look around.

Jacamo

Tapered Trousers

Very skinny- or slim-fit trousers will cling and bunch over larger legs, so look for a pair that taper into your ankle but which leave some room around your thighs. “Pleated trousers are back in a big way and are really versatile for big guys,” says John Lewis menswear buyer Tom Saunders.

Reiss

Henley Shirts

V-necks are still on fashion’s naughty step (for now), but that’s a shame, because they draw the eye up to – and broaden – your shoulders. You can get the same effect with other V-shaped collars, though, like the Henley top. It transforms bulk into muscle without any of the V-neck’s bro vibes.

Mango Man

Monochrome

When you’ve got more width than you might like, the best approach can be to add height. That doesn’t mean Cuban heels, but rather the optical illusion of a longer, leaner physique, achieved by sticking to a single colour. It means your top and bottom halves blend into each other and the eye is drawn up and down, not across.