Our President & CEO Joseph Abboud On Dressing For Athletic Body Types:
Check out these tips from our recent article in the Chicago Tribune here.
•For thick necks and broad shoulders, choose suits and jackets with a “softer shoulder,” meaning there’s less padding and structure in the shoulder.
•Barrel-chested men should make sure the suit jacket lies down in the front and doesn’t buckle or bubble open.
•Dress shirts should have some drape in them, so it’s not the time to be showing off your rippling biceps. Take that into account if you gain an inch in arm circumference when you work out.
•Many athletic men have smaller waists and bigger thighs and backsides, which can make it difficult to buy pants. Get flat-front trousers large enough to fit the seat and thighs, and have them taken in at the waist.
•A common mistake is for bigger or taller guys to get suit jackets too long. Jackets should cover the seat but not much more than that. A rule of thumb is for the jacket to end mid-finger when your arms are at your side, but that doesn’t always work for men with longer arms.
•Suits should “trace the body,” meaning there’s enough fabric to give you room to move but lean enough to show off the silhouette. Trim but not tight.
•Every guy should have a perfect navy blue suit and a dark gray suit. Solid textures, micro patterns, pinstripes and small herringbone are best.
•You can have more fun with sportswear, but avoid overly flashy clothes, lots of color and bold patterns. “Never let your clothes overpower your personality,” Abboud said.
•Layer with lighter fabrics. For example, throw on a pair of jeans with a T-shirt, V-neck sweater made of light cashmere or merino wool, and an unstructured jacket.
•Jeans are a matter of personal preference, but Abboud prefers a straight or classic fit, not too baggy or too tight. “What I really don’t like are the really skinny pencil jeans,” he said. Muscular legs are great, but not when they look like sausage casings.
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