Fit, care and budget
Dressing for your body type: tall, short, slim, broad
By sneakersInn team · Updated
Dress for your body type by working with your proportions: tall men can break up their height with layers and contrast; shorter men look taller with unbroken lines and tonal colours; slim men can add bulk with layers and texture; broad or heavier men look sharpest in structured, well-fitted clothes and darker colours. Fit matters for every body type more than any rule.
| Body type | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Tall | Layers, contrast between top and bottom, turn-ups, horizontal details | Very slim, short-hemmed clothes that make limbs look longer |
| Short | Tonal outfits, slim fits, no-break trousers, short jackets | Long jackets, wide trousers that pool, big contrast at the waist |
| Slim | Layers, texture, knits, overshirts, crewnecks | Very baggy clothes that swamp you |
| Broad or muscular | Stretch fabrics, open necklines, tapered trousers | Tight tops that pull, skinny trousers |
| Larger build | Structured jackets, dark colours, vertical lines, good tailoring | Very tight or very loose clothes, shiny fabrics |
How should tall men dress?
Break up the height with contrast between top and bottom, layers like an overshirt over a tee, and chunkier sneakers or boots. Make sure sleeves and trousers are long enough; many off-the-rack pieces aren't. Double-breasted jackets suit tall frames. See single-breasted vs double-breasted.
How can shorter men look taller?
Keep lines long and unbroken: tonal outfits (similar colours top to bottom), trousers with no break, slim fits, and jackets that just cover the seat. Shoes in a similar colour to the trousers extend the leg. Avoid chunky shoes with skinny trousers. See how trousers should fit.
How should slim men dress?
Add visual weight with layers, textured fabrics (oxford cloth, knits, corduroy) and crewnecks. Fitted, not tight. A structured jacket broadens the shoulders.
How should broad or muscular men dress?
Choose shirts with a little stretch, V-necks or open collars, and jackets with room in the chest and arms. Taper trousers to balance the upper body. Size for the chest and shoulders, then have the waist taken in. See why fit matters more than price.
How should larger men dress?
Structured jackets, darker colours, vertical stripes and well-fitted trousers create a clean line. Avoid both tight and very loose clothes; clothes that skim the body look best. Mid-rise trousers with a belt in the same colour as the trousers keep the line smooth.
Questions
Does a tailor help every body type?
Yes. See how to work with a tailor in Accra.
What sneakers suit shorter men?
Sleek low-tops in the same tone as the trousers. See how to style chunky sneakers.