We all try to look our best and often style advisers tell people to dress for their body type. But how do you know which boy type you have and what type of clothes go with each of the main body type?
In this guide, we are focusing on men who are lean and rather thin and offer a series of practical advice you can put into practice the next time you are creating an outfit.
The 3 body types
Let’s start with understanding the three major body types. As you might know, there are three major body types: ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Of course, there are tons of variations in between, and probably most men are actually in between. Some guys have a certain part bigger and certain part smaller etc.
Can you change your body type?
We did some research because we wanted to find out if you can actually change your body type and found out that it’s not the body type that you can change, it’s something called the “body composition”. Meaning that your body type is basically what you look like if you don’t work out or have a conscious lifestyle. But, if you are an endomorph trying to look like a mesomorph or an ectomorph, you can achieve it by adjusting your workout and diet. It applies to all guys. For example, cardio is a very recommended workout, but for ectomorphs it will actually result in muscle loss. So it’s best to know your body type, do great research (we will also feature some tips on what activities are best for your body type in the coming articles) and you will look like in a different way, if that is what you wish!
In the mean time, we know that many thin men feel out of place, since skinny guys are not taken very seriously in our culture. Some women are crazy about them, others seem to be envious that the dude is thinner than they are and some people really don’t care.
Style tips
We have put together a list of fashion and style tips thin men can use in order to look their best!
Here they are:
Colors
a) Light colors make you look bigger, darker colors make you look smaller
b) Vertical stripes make guys appear bigger
c) Midsize patterns are best for thin guys. Big patterns are not that recommended
d) If your outfit has a single color, it will emphasize the fact that you are very slim. Wearing different hues or colors will definitely make the outfit more interesting
Fit
a) Whatever you do, make sure your clothes fit your frame! Many thin men try to appear bigger by wearing bulky clothes. Trust us, you will look great in fitted clothes
b) Try to be proportionate. Thin men can pull off shoulder pads quite well, but make sure they are not too big, or else you risk to look disproportionate
c) Casual jackets (not dress jackets or blazers) should hit you at the hip. It’s best if you wish to look balanced
d) Make sure your accessories (belt, tie, watch) are not too big. They need to be proportionate to your body! It’s really bad if your belt needs to go a few times around your waist
e) If you can’t find clothes that fit, get them in a bigger size and have them tailored down
Cut
a) When it comes to shirts, slim fit shirts are a good friend. Sometimes normal-cut shirts are also great, it depends on your actual size. Remember: slim-fit, not skinny-fit
b) Wear flat-front pants. Wearing pants with pleats will give a lot of volume when you sit and will look out of place
c) If you are really thin, avoid skinny jeans or tapered pants. Instead, go for straight-leg or boot-cut trousers and jeans
d) Thin men are some of the few guys on Earth who can wear a turtle neck and look good. V-necks are not recommended if you are too thin: they will make you look even thinner
e) Double-breasted jackets are a great way of adding a layer of confidence
f) When it comes to shoes, if you are thin and tall, don’t wear round-toed shoes. They will make you appear disproportioned. Instead, you can buy pointed or square-toed shoes to balance your silhouette
g) Dress jackets should end just below your butt. Not longer, not shorter
These tips are meant to make you look proportionate and feel good in your body! You can use these tips and see what works for you! Remember, some things might not work for you, maybe you are an in-between body type, but understanding these general guidelines will definitely make you look better. And, as we always say, when you look good, you feel good!
Fraquoh and Franchomme
P.S. What issues do you face with your body type? What are your tips for slim body types? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, don’t forget to subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
17 replies on “Fashion Tips For Thin Men {+Can you change your body type?} (B)”
Reblogged this on BOLD AND TRENDY.
Thank you! I must keep in mind these pieces of advice. 🙂 I’m also looking for office outfits suggestions. 🙂
Hello!
You can make a search on our looking for keywords such as “business casual”, “suits” or other interests you might have. For example, in the “How to create a versatile wardrobe (published Oct 29th)”, you can see a lot of suggestion and how to dress up or down a work suit.
it is very helpull….
We are glad you enjoyed it!
these tips are amazing but do u have any tips for this summer because its going to be a hot one and when i wear short or something like that i get the idea that my legs ar just like chicken drop sticks 🙁
Hello! Thank you for the comment. We are glad you liked the tips!
To answer your question, there are a few things you can do if you want your legs to appear less skinny.
First of all, you should always make sure that you are wearing clothes that fit you. Don’t wear bigger pants, you won’t look bigger and don’t wear smaller ones so that your legs appear bigger in them, you will look strangled and you won’t fool anyone.
1. Putting on a pair of pants that fits just right is the first step. Go with a pair that ends just at the half of your knee for a safe bet.
2. A second thing you can do is add a belt. Belts are great ways to frame your body. Wearing a belt will add structure to your appearance and will determine where your legs end. Setting these limits will make you look bigger.
3. Thirdly, you can wear socks, but make sure you follow a few rules! First of all, don’t wear knee-high socks, you’re not a scout in the 1960s, secondly make sure you pull them up right. Don’t wear socks with your sandals though! Take a look at this picture for example: http://style.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/time-weiland-men.jpg
4. Wear cuffed pants. Even if you are wearing shorts, they can have cuffs (as do the ones in the picture). These will, again, add structure to your look.
Don’t worry so much about your legs being thin, a lot of guys have them. Now you are in advantage because you know that structure is what will make them look better! You also know now how to achieve structure. You can use some or all of these elements: belt, socks, cuffs, fit.
As a tip, stay away from wearing suspenders or other vertical stripes. These will mimic your legs and emphasize their thinness. Instead, go for belts and solid colors, or big patterns!
Let us know if you have any other questions, we’re always glad to help!
Have a great summer!
Best wishes,
F&F
Awesome tips. Now to get thin so I can use these tips.lol
I really laughed because i made all types of mistakes dressing up my body type, but I am also proud to have come at the same conclusions.
We’re glad to hear you improved your style!Great job, Pete, you’re making us proud!
I think your blog would be even better if you put more pictures. Just saying. Nice post btw!
Hi Alan,
Thank you very much for the appreciation and the feedback! We are constantly working on improving our posts, so your comment is most welcome!
F&F
I am 23, normal skin, 6,1 and thin(However, i have good looks). Please suggest me the best outfit I can wear on my birthday. Your tips are extremely helpful and will surely implement it.
I need tips about trousers for thin men with knock knees
Dear Dabir,
Thank you for the question.
If you have knock knees, you should wear pants that have a bit of a flair. This way, you are not held too tightly by the pants and the knock knee is not that visible. Here’s a good example: http://www.1sewingpatterns.com/images0/8466bbur.jpg.
For more on pants, take a look at these articles: The Different Types of Jeans Cuts:
A relaxed cut, a straight cut or a boot cut jean would work best for you (as cataloged in the article).
The Guide to Casual Pants:
http://attireclub.org/2014/12/13/casual-pants/
Style Checklist: What to Look for When Buying Pants
http://attireclub.org/2014/06/08/how-to-buy-pants/
Our advice is to make sure you feel comfortable in whatever you wear. If you stress too much about style over comfort, it will be visible, so make sure you opt for something you like stylewise and in which you feel comfortable.
Let us know if you have any other questions!
Yours,
F&F
hello thanks for the article it’s really helpful!!
My BIGGEST Nightmare,is the white dress shirt i am very Thin Skinny Guy with kind of hourglass bodytype ,so how can i wear the white dress shirt and looking normal what should i do ?????
Dear Othman,
Thank you for the question. It’s hard to give advice without actually knowing what you look like.
The main tip we can give you is that your shirt should fit your body frame well, regardless of what this is. You can go for a bigger size and have it tailored.
You cal also go for shirts that are tapered and see how it looks.
A slim fit shirt in a medium size could also work, but it’s hard to tell from a description!
Also, make sure your shirt is tucked in your pants at your waist – some men make the mistake of pulling their pants to high up. Also,wearing a belt and matching shoes will make you more proportionate and structured, which is what you are going for.