It’s no secret than men with a larger frame aren’t represented enough in the fashion world. Sure, we’re better catered to than before, but it’s not so often you see plus sized men in normal media, so it can be hard to see examples of how clothes might look on you.
Body positivity is at its peak, but plus sized men’s style isn’t as catered to as women. That’s why I’ve written this guide for plus sized men’s fashion that you’ll feel comfortable in at look good in.
There’s nothing worse than being out of your comfort zone as a plus sized man. Whether it’s physically, will ill-fitting clothes, or mentally with being limited to less fashionable options. It makes you feel like you stick out like a sore thumb, which you can easily feel anyway – especially if you tower over everyone and take up more space.
Plus Sized Men’s Fashion Tips
These are my best plus sized fashion tips for men. They’re only meant to be a guide, so if you don’t agree with any of my points, I suggest you go with your gut. I’ve tried to keep my advice quite style neutral, so if you have a style in mind, then definitely go for it! If you’re entirely unsure how to dress, then starting with neutral but stylish fashion will help develop your tastes.
You might spend some time walking around in plain, dark clothing and decide you want a bit of colour, or would prefer patterned shirts, or even a more alternative or preppy style.
Comfort is Key so Get Good Fitting Plus Size Men’s Clothes
Now that a wider variety of sizes are available, there’s no reason to settle for ill-fitting plus size clothing. You don’t need to squeeze yourself into jeans that are too tight, or put up with a shapeless shirt that flaps about in the wind. Your body deserves to wear clothes that fit it well and you should make it a priority to find them.
Getting a good fit probably means trying stuff on, and if you’re like me, you won’t want to be trailing round a shopping centre. It’s much better to order online from places with a returns policy and try on in your own home. If you’ve got a partner or a housemate, you can always get their opinion too.
If something is way too big, size down. Overly baggy clothes are never the answer and often don’t look great, unless is a baseball jersey and it’s meant to have some extra room.
Don’t be afraid to get your clothes altered. You can get shirts taken in, jeans and trousers taken up – whatever you need. If your clothes fit better, they’ll be comfier and look better.
Try to Create a Capsule Wardrobe
I realise talking about capsule wardrobes makes me sound like I’m on some daytime TV show, but honestly, they’ve got a point with this. A capsule wardrobe basically just means that you have a few items of clothing that can be put together in any combination. So two pairs of jeans, five t-shirts and 2 hoodies would constitute a capsule wardrobe if you could rotate what you wear and create several different looks.
It’s a handy way to live too because it saves on space and washing. It also takes all the effort out of getting dressed because your clothes all go together so whatever you throw on will look good.
Hone in on a few well-fitting piece and look at getting rid of the rest. It’s so common for plus sized men to have a wardrobe full of ill-fitting clothes that they don’t feel comfortable wearing. Either get them professionally altered or donate them to charity. You wardrobe should only host clothes you actually want to wear.
Try Layering
Wearing multiple layers is a good look and it can be great for those who feel a bit exposed in just a T-shirt.
I think people forget men have body confidence issues too – even things as simple as worrying about sweat stains. We’ve all been there – it’s easy enough to have pit stains and not notice, especially if you’re a bigger guy and tend to run hot.
Sometimes wearing a trendy shirt over a T-shirt helps you feel more confident, especially knowing no sweat stains might rear their head.
Adding a shirt over your top can also make an outfit look more finished – like you’ve put some thought int how you look. Perfect for a date night!
Experiment With Textures
It can be tempting to try and blend into the background when you’re a plus size fella and that’s totally fine if you like that, but don’t just choose flat fabrics. I’m not suggesting you add a feather boa to your outfit, but don’t just dress head-to-toe in light cotton and ignore more interesting fabrics.
Denim, leather and knitwear are all good textures to experience with (although if we’re talking leather (vegan or otherwise) it looks best as a jacket or shoes for men. Men’s leather shorts aren’t coming into fashion any time soon.
If you’re not sure how to add texture, consider an outfit made up of denim jeans, a top and a knitted cardigan. You don’t have to play it safe all the time. You could always look on Pinterest for outfit ideas for plus size men, then you’ll get inspiration from lots of people and won’t be beholden to just one person’s fashion preferences.
Think About Accessories
Don’t be put off wearing accessories with your clothes. A nice pair of shoes can go a long way, as can a belt or a watch.
If you have chunkier wrists and the watch you own is feeling a bit snug, you can have the strap changed. If you like a project, you can buy the tools of eBay and do it yourself, or you could take it to a watch repair shop. Either way, I’d choose a strap you like and buy it, then take it with you to get the strapped changed. That way you know you’ve got the right size.
The same goes for belts. If your belts a tight fit, then buy more. The internet caters to loads more sizes than it used to, so there’s no reason you should go without finishing touches to your outfit.