Dressing Well When You Have Muscle

Intro

Are you tired of struggling to find the perfect clothes to complement your muscular physique? Well, Olympvs has got you covered with our new series, True Form! In this series, we'll be debunking fashion myths and giving you the best tips on how to look your best while keeping in mind your athletic build.

Though all physiques are unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to complimenting your body with your clothes, it still holds that what suits a majority of, say slim physiques, may not work the same for a muscular physique.

So, without further ado, let's dive into our first post of this series, where we'll be sharing 5 essential clothing tips to enhance your appearance.

1. GO FOR NEUTRAL COLOURS

Neutral colours are your friend. You may have experienced that having a larger build than most people makes you naturally stand out already, so there’s little need for a flashy and vivid tee to go with it. When you’re buying clothing, you don’t want something that’s going to exaggerate too much, especially when you’ve got a large build. In the winter, neutral colours like navy blue and olive green do not take the focus away from your body, allowing your physique to be the one to shine.

However, things change slightly during the summer. Tank tops and polo shirts in bright, summery colours aren't out of place when the weather is warm and sunny.

2. MINIMAL LAYERING

Because you are already pretty up to mark in the size department, thick layers won't work as well for you. Your body is a well-sculpted figure, with natural curves and contours that define your look. What clothes like knitted sweaters and puffer coats do is they hide those hard-earned contours and cause you to look too huge and less defined.

So, in short, stay away from heavy, thick, or padded outerwear lest you want to look less Gym Freak and more cuddly Build-a-Bear.

But winter is cold, so instead, you can dress in multiple thin layers (long sleeve shirts, roll necks, cardigans, and thin sweaters) made of one of the many thin yet warm fibres out there like cashmere. That way you’ll be warm and cosy while still keeping your style.

3. CHECK THE FIT

Fashion and comfort should go hand in hand. That’s what we believe. How you feel is as much important as how you look. It's not quite right that you would go out for a relaxing stroll in some casual wear but be irritated by it all day long if it's tight in some places, while too loose in others and scrunches up every time you move.

That’s why it's important that while shopping, you look out for clothes that are made for muscular bods, like bodybuilder wear and muscle-fit clothes. They include a fit that hugs but doesn’t constrain your biceps, chest, and waist while tapering from the chest downwards to highlight the “downwards dorito” shape of your abdomen. Two quick ways to tell if a top is a good fit for you are:

1. The shirt shouldn't be too tight or pucker across your chest, shoulders, or upper back when you place your finger between your neck and the collar.

2. Look at the shoulder seam and it should be resting along the bony edge of your upper shoulder; a part of your shoulder bone called the “acromion”. If the seam sits too far in or too far out, the shirt may be too big or too small for you.

4. TEST A FEW BRANDS TO SEE WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

We know how strange size guides can be. If you go shopping, you’ll find that your body could fit everything from a medium to an extra-large, depending on the brand. So, make sure to shop at a variety of brands and try on different fits to see what works best for you.

Don’t be afraid to size down thinking it won’t fit you as that can be the sweet spot of fit and comfort for muscular bodies. Also, pro tip:The fits you’ll find best are muscle fit, athletic fit, and straight cut with stretchable fabric.

5. EXPERIMENT

Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment! Men often get stuck in a particular style and don't deviate from it. Even if that style isn’t the best for them. Or they get caught up in fashion trends which might not be best for muscular shapes.

While it's completely ok to stay with one style, if you’re not getting the aesthetics you want out of it, it might be time to try something new.

Feel free to mix up your wardrobe by wearing something that you’ve never tried on before and you might be surprised at how well it suits you. For instance, instead of wearing dress pants with formal button shirts all the time, pair them with some chinos next time you’re out and about. There are countless options, and as you try them out, you'll learn more about what suits you and what doesn't.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope these tips help you enhance your appearance and feel confident in your style. Stay tuned for more fashion tips from True Form by Olympvs!

BESTSELLERS

At Olympvs, we make clothes which help you look and feel your best. We combine super comfy stretch fabrics with a tailored muscle fit, creating an awesome tool which was designed to help you reach your best potential. 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.