Men’s Suits for Different Body Types: Finding the Most Flattering Fit

Understand which elements and styles of men's suits for different body types combine to give you the most flattering fit.

You can entrust any skilled fashion stylist with creating show-stopping customized men's suits for different body types; it is second nature to him. But you should understand the suit styles, elements, and cuts that give your peculiar body shape the most flattering fit ahead of time. Even colours and patterns have a role to play in your overall look. Visualize looking at yourself in a mirror, decked in a well-fitting men's suit. With your foresight and cooperation, a stunning masterpiece should stare back at you.

In this article, we present you a detailed suit fit guide to help you choose a suit body type for men that rightly describes yours. Combine that knowledge with suit features that can enhance your looks, and you can craft a well-fitting suit. Well-tailored men's suits for different body types should target bringing out your best features and downplaying any imperfection. So aim for a combination of suit features and a suit type that can give you the most flattering fit and elevate your look each time.

We can solve that problem with ease at Twelve19Styles. Our master stylists pay meticulous attention to your body shape and not just your suit size, to create unique and sophisticated men's suits that meet your needs. Browse through our exclusive catalog and indulge yourself in an array of charming suit styles that are worth your every penny.

Why Your Suit Should Be A Perfect Fit

By now, you should be aware that made-to-order suits may not favour men with unusual body types. Like extra-long limbs, very short or elongated torsos, very broad shoulders, prominent belly areas, and the like. For such men, the natural solution is to go for a carefully crafted bespoke suit. You might be lucky to get a good tailor to refit an irresistible made-to-order suit to your taste, but it is a risky business.

In any case, you deserve a suit with the right fit - not too long, too short, too roomy, or too tight in any aspect. Your suit should exhibit the right balance between comfort, aesthetics, and body shape.

We have nailed the first reason: your comfort is top priority, and a well-fitted suit will guarantee you just that. Again, the right fit gives you free movement and adjustment while you sit, stroll, or move briskly at any time. Thirdly, a well-fitted suit frees you from feeling awkward or self-conscious, which contributes to your self confidence. One final merit is that your personal style and level of sophistication unveil with ease when you don a suit with the most flattering fit.

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How Colours and Patterns Complement Your Look

Colours and patterns also have certain visual effects when other people look at you.

Light Colours

Because light colours reflect light, they give the appearance of more volume. This illusion works well for slim built men.

Dark Colours

Dark colours absorb light, so they seem to reduce size or subdue/hide things. They create a streamlined look that works well for broad bodied men.

Stripes

Vertical stripes focus your gaze on the up-down direction of the lines, so the wearer’s body appears elongated. This visual illusion is good on average to short-bodied men.

While horizontal stripes focus your gaze on the left-right direction; so they counteract tallness and make the wearer appear broader. It looks good on tall and slim-built men.

Find Out Your Body Type/Shape

Let's start with identifying your body type or shape. Knowing this makes it easier to prescribe the best suit features and styles that can accentuate your look.

Slim Body

Slim men exhibit compact bodies - a slim waist, small chest, narrow shoulders. When creating a suit for a slim body, target adding a bit more structure and volume to the look.

Recommended suit styles: Classic or regular fit suits are ideal. Go for a double-breasted suit to give a built-up look around the torso. Or else go for suit jackets with extra padding to the shoulders and wide peak lapels.

Recommended colours and patterns: Choose light or mid-tone colours to give a larger or fuller appearance - colours like light gray, sky blue, or beige. Horizontal stripes and checked patterns draw more attention to the body by disrupting any appearance of long lines.

Athletic Body

Men with athletic bodies exhibit a slightly lean but muscular build. With a prominent or built-up chest, broad shoulders, flat stomach, and a narrow waist, giving a V-shaped look. They often wear different suit styles. But the target should be creating a suit that fits well around the shoulders and waist, and the waist should not appear too small.

Recommended suit styles: Go for a slim-fitted suit that highlights your waist, shoulders, and entire physique. Slim-fitted trousers, and a 2-button jacket having structured shoulders and slim lapels is ideal.

Recommended colours and patterns: Light colours can give a softened look. While dark colours draw more attention to the physique and the body's lines.

Short Body

Men with short bodies exhibit short legs, short torsos, or both. Some of them may have slightly longer arms. For such men, a typical suit will make them appear ‘lost’ in the suit or out of proportion.

Recommended suit styles: They need suits that add some height to their body frames. Go for slim trousers; and fitted jackets with narrow shoulders and narrow lapels. The jacket should reach down to their hips (but not longer). Avoid jackets that are too roomy or too long. Slim ties also balance the look.

Recommended colours and patterns: Choose vertical lines/stripes and monochromatic suit colours (the colours of the suit pants and jacket should match or be similar shades).

Tall and Lean Body

Tall and lean men exhibit long limbs (both arms and legs) alongside a lean body. Since they already have height to their advantage, they need suits that add more structure and volume to their body frames.

Recommended suit styles: Go for classic or regular-fit suits, with pleated trousers to add more room around the legs. A 3-button jacket, and/or a jacket with broad lapels and lightly padded shoulders is ideal. The jacket should reach slightly below the hips. For better structure, you can choose textured fabrics like wool or tweed.

Recommended colours & patterns: Choose horizontal stripes or large check patterns to counteract the tallness. Also use contrasting colours and patterns of jacket and pants to disrupt the tallness and create a balanced look.

Robust, Broad or Heavyset Body

Men with broad bodies have broad dimensions from the shoulders down to the waistline. They have width to their advantage, so they should focus on suits that add some height and streamlined appearance to their body frames.

Recommended suit styles: Go for classic or regular fit suits - flat front trousers with straight cuts; and single-breasted 2-button jackets with narrow lapels and flat shoulders. They combine to create a V-shaped look that elongates your torso. Again, choose fabrics with smooth textures and darker colours to add sleekness.

Recommended colours and patterns: Choose vertical stripes to create the illusion of tallness, which balances the look. Also pick dark colours to subdue the broad look - colours like navy blue, black,.or dark gray.

Key Notes about Jacket and Trousers For Different Body Types

There are specific features of suit jacket and trousers that accentuate each body type. Check out the style recommendations below.

Suit Jacket

Create the right balance with your suit jacket by picking a length neither too long nor too short for your body type. If the jacket is really long, you may look abnormally shorter or smaller in it. In the reverse case, if the jacket is too short, it may throw you out of proportion. To create a good visual appeal for each body type, follow the recommendations below.

Slim body - Standard-length or slightly shorter jackets.
Athletic body - Standard-length jackets.
Short body - Short jackets (or one not not falling below the hips)
Tall & lean body - Longer jackets
Broad body - Longer jackets

As per the lapels, you must consider the width and style that rightly complements your body shape. The following suggestions make the best fit for each body type:

Slim body - Wide peak lapels will broaden the chest area
Athletic body - Lapels with a regular width goes well with the muscular chest area
Short body - Slim lapels will match the body frame
Tall & lean body - Wide lapels will counterbalance the slim frame
Broad body - Slim lapels will give a streamlined appearance

Trousers

After the jacket, your trousers are the next major highlight. So It is vital for your trousers to fit properly, otherwise you may neither enjoy nor look good in your suit. Apply the suggestions below to fit trousers to your body type:

Athletic body - Slim-fit trousers that taper around the ankle.
Short body - Slim-fit or tapered trousers with little or no break around the ankles
Tall & lean body - Pleated trousers
Broad body - Straight-cut, flat front trousers

Final Thoughts - There is a Flattering Suit Fit For Every Body Shape

No matter your looks or body shape, you can get an adept tailor to create a bespoke men's suit that will look absolutely stunning on you. But knowing in advance the best features of a suit that match your body type can hasten both the dialogue and process of creating one. That includes the right fit, colours, patterns, cuts, and suit styles that complement your physique.

Now that you can identify your body type and the suit elements that match it, we encourage you to dialogue with us in the comments box below. Let us know your style picks and how we can help you.

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