The fashion landscape has changed significantly in recent years. Acceptance and diversity have become the rule rather than the exception. However, while women’s plus-size fashion is easily available, clothes for fat men are yet to find a firm footing in the industry.
Though men’s wear is generally straightforward, the availability of stylish fat guy fashion is challenging. The issues with fat man style usually have to do with finding sizes that fit well. Often, an XXXL size shirt may be just an oversized version of the smaller sizes. Consideration of different body shapes is also lacking, for instance, extra broad shoulders or a heavier midriff. This leads to discomfort in stylish clothes for big guys.
This guide helps you choose dress shirts that flatter your body type. It gives tips on understanding aspects of a good fit, the fabrics available per season and which ones to pick for chubby guy fashion. The aim is to have comfortable clothes for fat men which offer confidence and style.
Importance of Fit for Fat Man Style
The right fit in a garment enhances a person’s appearance and boosts confidence. One has to be careful about the key areas such as the chest, shoulder, and arms so that they fit well and do not appear to burst or become stressed at the seams. Let us consider some factors which are important in fat guy fashion.
Key Fit Areas to Consider
These are the essential areas to consider when trying out clothes for fat men.
Shoulders: The shoulder should fit well and not feel tight when you raise or move the arm.
Chest and Torso: The shirt should not feel tight. Plus, it should have enough room without being baggy. For instance, if it is too tight, the buttons may appear strained too closely, creating wrinkles around the buttonholes. However, if it is too loose, it creates a billowing silhouette.
Sleeve Length: The sleeve should not be so loose that it creates extra fabric folds on the garment or be too tight that you feel uncomfortable while raising or moving the arm.
Collar Fit: The collar should have a neat appearance and lay flat against the skin. However, it should not feel restrictive. You can button the collar and see if you can slip two fingers between the neck and the collar to ensure sufficient room for neck movement.
Best Dress Shirts for Fat Guys
Instafab Plus has some trendy and stylish clothes for big guys in sizes 3XL-6XL. Scroll down for some style inspiration for fat guy fashion.
Navy Blue Textured Casual Shirt
Check out the Navy Blue Textured Casual Shirt for fat guys. The button-front detail and the interesting textured fabric make for a stylish piece in fat guy fashion. The polyester blend fabric lends a comfortable and flattering fit. Wear it with denim shorts, jeans or chinos.
Stripe-Creased Shirt
The Stripe-Creased Shirt in a hip lavender shade will surely be a winner. It has open-collars, with a button front and a comfortable fit. The striped-creased fabric in a polyester blend makes it a great fit for a dress shirt for fat guys. Look this up today.
Cotton Blue Checks Shirt
One of our most versatile styles in clothes for fat men, the Cotton Blue Checks Shirt is a 100% cotton blue check shirt that is summer cool at its best. Team it up with a white tee, or wear it as it is. It fits stylish clothes for big guys. Coordinate with cargo pants or jeans. Get one today at Instafab Plus.
Open Mind T-Shirt
Look up our Open Mind T-shirt in lavender with a funky, cool print. The snug fit and trendy colour makes it perfect for spring/ summer t-shirts for fat guys. You can wear it for a fun evening with friends or while running errands; check it out today.
Striped Half-Sleeve Casual Shirt
This stylish Striped Half-Sleeve Casual Shirt ranks high in dress shirts for fat guys. Versatile and one of the best shirts for fat guys, you can wear it to the club or for a movie. Pick your size at Instafab Plus today.
Style Tips for Chubby Men: How to Choose Clothes That Fit and Flatter
Colour Choices
Be smart with your colour choices. In chubby guy fashion, colours like black, navy, dark brown and grey can camouflage problem areas. Try to avoid bold colours for the garment. Instead, you can try pops of bold colours as an accessory if you prefer.
Pattern Selection
With patterns, opt for vertical stripes, as they create a lengthening effect and tend to make you look taller and slimmer. Avoid horizontal stripes or bold patterns in clothes for fat men, as they make you look wider.
Layering Tips
Smart layering in fat man style can create a flattering appearance. You can wear a fitted T-shirt or a sweater and a jacket over it to give a neat and sophisticated look. For work wear, dress shirts with single-breasted blazers work well. Jackets do well for semi-formal or casual occasions, with a plus-size t-shirt worn inside. Ensure the jacket or blazer length covers the backside. Turtle necks should be avoided in t-shirts for fat guys as they can emphasise a short neck.
Accessorising Smartly
- In fat man style, it is important to keep the accessory tones similar, i.e., in the same colour family. For instance, if wearing a leather watch, it should match your belt. In the case of a metal watch, it should match the belt buckle.
- When choosing cufflinks, the metal should ideally match the watch strap.
- A simple fold-pocket square, matching the shirt, can work best for formal wear for fat guys.
- As a rule of thumb, accessories that are not too big or too small but appear proportionate should be chosen for formal wear for fat guys.
Best Fabrics for Big Guys
While choosing fabrics for clothing styles for fat guys, one should opt for cotton polyester, cotton rayon, or other blended fabrics. Cotton-lycra blends and performance fabrics are also suitable as they do not stick to the body but offer a good fit and are comfortable.
Wrinkle-resistant fabrics are suitable for fat man formal wear. Polyester blended with cotton stays wrinkle-free for a longer time. It is the ideal material for dress shirts for fat guys and formal trousers. For the cooler weather, one can choose a polyester wool blend for a suit or trousers, as it is easy to maintain and is suitable for the weather.
Keeping seasonal conditions in mind, light, breathable fabrics are suitable for summer since it's humid and one tends to sweat. Cotton, cotton-polyester or cotton-lycra are most suitable for clothes for fat men.
For winters, wearing a blazer with a vest to the workplace in tonal colours can work well. The monochromatic look will not draw attention to the bulky areas. Also, one should avoid thick, bulky sweaters or too many layers.
Common Dress Shirt Problems and Solutions
Some common dress shirt problems and solutions are given here.
Shirts ride up
This occurs when the shirt is different from the correct size and is usually tight. It is imperative to buy the correct size of shirt. Also, ensure that the shirttail covers the hip. The shirt style should also allow a range of movement.
Tightness in the Chest and Shoulders
In fat man formal wear, one may often opt for a shirt style that is too fitted. This will feel uncomfortable and awkward. One should ensure the size is correct as per the size guide provided. Further, opt for materials with a little lycra content, like cotton lycra or cotton polyester lycra so that there is room for a little stretch.
Excess Fabric Around the Waist
This happens when the shirt is bigger. One can try the military tuck, which involves tucking the shirt in, folding the extra fabric towards the back and then wearing the belt to keep the shirt in place.
Or, you can try the ‘slim fit’ shirts, if you are not too large at the midriff.
How to Measure Yourself for the Perfect Dress Shirt
The following measurement points are important to ensure a good fit for shirts for fat guys. It is best to measure oneself first and then compare it against the brand’s size guide. Here is a guide on how to measure.
Chest
Measure across the chest at its widest point from under the arms. It should go around your back.
Neck
Place the measuring tape around the neck at the height where the collar would normally rest. Check the measure.
Sleeve length
Sleeve length should be taken from the centre back or at the nape of the neck, down the shoulder seam, to the arm and just below the wrist bone.
Shoulder
The shoulder seam should be where your shoulder ends and the arm begins. It should align with the natural curve of the shoulder.
Waist
Put the tape measure around the fullest part of the midriff, not too tight or loose.
You can check these measurements against the brand’s size chart given on the site and determine your size.
Understanding Size Charts
Size charts can be varied between brands. Often, a ‘large’ in one brand may be a ‘medium’ size in another. It is essential to see the size chart for a particular brand and determine which size to purchase. Also, consider the style details given, like regular fit or slim fit, which will affect the fit of the garment.
Maintenance And Care Tips For Dress Shirts for Fat Guys
Always refer to the wash care label given on the shirt to follow instructions. As a general rule, dress shirts should be washed on a gentle cycle in cold water, inside out. No bleach should be used. It is best to line-dry them to protect the fabric from shrinkage.
For Ironing: Dress shirts should be steam ironed for a crisp look, but refer to the care label for heat settings. The shirts should be hung on hangers to maintain their shape. They can be kept in a cool, dark place.
To organise the shirts, one can put them as per usage. Hence, workwear shirts can be put in one section and casuals in another. Formal, dressy shirts can be clubbed separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can big guys wear slim-fit shirts?
You can opt for a slim-fit shirt if your midriff area is not too wide. Otherwise, a slim-fit shirt might not accentuate your look; rather, it may highlight the areas you won’t wish to.
2. How do I prevent my shirt from wrinkling throughout the day?
You can try out wrinkle-free shirts. There are several options available. However, if the fabric is not wrinkle-free, you may have to pull the shirt flat against your thighs.
3. What should I look for in a dress shirt collar?
In a dress shirt collar, the chest should not be too tight, so there should not be wrinkling near the button area. The shoulders and sleeves should fit well and not feel tight when you raise your arms. The collar should sit properly.
4. How many dress shirts should I own?
This is an individual choice, depending on your requirements.
5. Is it worth investing in custom-made shirts?
If you are unsatisfied with the ready-made options available in the market, you can opt for custom-made shirts.
