Sculpting Style: A Guide For Bodybuilders In Navigating Clothing Choices

Intro

Bodybuilders work hard to build and maintain their physiques, spending countless hours in the gym sculpting their bodies to perfection. However, even the most impressive physique can be diminished by the wrong clothing choices. Ill-fitting clothes or unflattering colours and patterns can detract from muscle definition, create unbalanced proportions, and even undermine the confidence that comes with achieving a fit and healthy body.

Simply put, the clothing you choose to wear can either flatter or detract from your hard work. But worry not because in this guide, we'll explore some key tips for bodybuilders on how to pick clothes that can amplify their overall appearance and flatter their physiques.

1. KNOW YOUR BODY TYPE

Chances are, if you’ve been working out, you’ve developed a lean and muscular body. Athletic people have broad shoulders, a wide chest and a slim waist. As a result, they have a wider and bulkier upper body, while the abdomen tapers into the slimmest region of the body - the waist. This body shape is known as the “inverted triangle” type, the “V” shape taper or more affectionately the “upside down Dorito” shape.

This is the reason normal clothes are a pain for you. Your shoulders and thighs are too big, while your waist is too slim for average clothes. After you take a look in the mirror and confirm your body type, you can start by choosing clothes that complement this body type; clothes that are the perfect fit for a muscular body like yours.

If you don’t fit into this description this guide is not for you.

2. THE PERFECT FIT FOR YOUR BODY TYPE

There are three types of fits in which clothes are normally cut: regular, slim and muscle fit. Regular fit is the most common and it’s designed with no specific body shape in mind for the majority of consumers. These can often look too baggy and loose on your body which is exactly what you want to avoid.

You may then hover towards the slim fit to hug your muscles and display them properly, but these come with their own caveats. For one, They’re extremely uncomfortable. You’ll be walking around with slight suspicion that one wrong move and a seam might tear. They also make your biceps and thighs look disproportionately bulging.

But thankfully, there is another choice on the market. Muscle fit clothes are designed for the unique shape of the inverted triangle body type by giving extra space in the biceps, shoulders and thighs while tapering down towards the waist and below the knees. Next time you’re shopping, look for specific clothes tagged with “Muscle Fit” on them to ensure they’ll be the right fit for you.

3. COLOURS

Now that you’ve got a fit, it’s time to move on to colours. For a physique as dominant and noticeable as a bodybuilder's, there’s little need to go all out on colourful jazzy outfits like tie-dye shirts and vibrant prints. Your clothes should give your body a proportionate appearance from head to toe, and flashy patterned clothing can disrupt those proportions.

Instead, we recommend combining neutral colours with a handful of statement pieces. Neutral colours are your greys, light browns, black and such. Establish a baseline set of must-have clothes in these neutral colours like t-shirts, crew necks, chinos and bomber jackets and build up your style from there.

4. SHIRTS

Try to find shirts that fit similarly to your natural "V" form. When you are shopping, check for "regular" or "classic" labels on shirts and keep an eye out for ones that get slimmer as it goes down. Given that you don’t need to widen the shoulders more with a spread collar, semi-spread collars or button downs are the ideal choice for this body shape.

Also, Henley tees—those that unbutton to the middle of the chest—will help you open up the chest too. Because of your V-shape, button-ups should be tapered to cater for the wide shoulder-to-hip ratio. But keep in mind, a muscle-fit button-up should not be too tight that it's uncomfortable.

A safe bet is a muscle fit shirt like these.

5. LOWER BODY

Your best option is clothing that is a slim or relaxed fit but not too tight in the thigh or buttocks. Stay away from super skinny or baggy boot cut jeans, as they mess with your proportions. If you have to size up to fit the thighs while it's loose in the waist, they’re not the right fit for you. Choose a pair with tapered legs to complement your quads.

For jeans, stretchy denim is your best friend as it allows the fabric to fit on you instead of vice versa, and can be a lifesaver if store sizes rarely fit you well. Chinos are great for a more formal appearance because they are often cut in a wider fit which allows for extra room in the quads and calves.

6. ACCESSORIES

The final touch which injects a touch of “oomph” into your ensemble is a sleek and striking statement piece. Whether you prefer sunglasses or watches, an exquisite accessory adds a sophisticated enhancement to otherwise casual neutral-coloured outfits, being the final brushstroke that adds an irresistible flair to your overall look. It also serves as a reflection of your style and taste, making a bold and confident statement about who you are. So, next time you're putting together an outfit, remember the power of that one special accessory to transform your look from ordinary to extraordinary and start a conversation. 

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, remember that picking the right clothes for bodybuilders is all about enhancing your hard-earned physique and boosting your confidence. Look out for muscle-fit clothing that complements your inverted triangle body shape and neutral colours whenever you shop. And don't forget to add a striking accessory to add that final touch of style.

So go ahead, rock your muscular look with clothes that showcase your gains and make you feel unstoppable. Dress for success, and let your bodybuilding efforts shine through your wardrobe!

BESTSELLERS

At Olympvs, we make clothes which help athletes look and feel their best. We combine super comfy stretch fabrics with a tailored muscle fit in all our clothes. Athletes from around the world find our clothes as a “lifesaver” with 500+ 5 star reviews. Feel free to browse through our bestsellers below and test them out for yourself.