One of the most common fit issues for men is when shirts and jackets fit snugly across the shoulders. When you wear a new shirt, do you feel like you are going to Hulk out of it? You might have broad shoulders. Time to find the best fit for your upper body. No, you don’t have to skip shoulder day at the gym. We’ve got you covered. Try on for size these men’s fashion tips for broad shoulders.
Fashion Facts For Men With Broad Shoulders: Knowing Your Body Type
Before we tackle finding fashion for broad shoulders, let’s talk body types. We’re here to let you know that guys typically fall into one of five body types. Factor in your wide shoulders, and just like that, we’ve narrowed it down to three. Have we piqued your interest? Let’s break down the three body types most commonly associated with broad shoulders.
The Rectangle Body Type
Stand in front of your mirror. Are your broad shoulders and hips about the same width? If so, you have a rectangle body type. Look your absolute best by choosing shirts and jackets tailored through the waist. Slimmer styles will highlight your physique instead of creating a boxy result. Choosing a shirt or sweater with a V-neck is also a smart choice. A dipping neckline is a complementary tool for gents with broad shoulders. Need a visual? Harry Styles, Ashton Kutcher and Ewan McGregor share the same body type as you. No Jedi mind tricks here. These are the clothes you’re looking for.
The Inverted Triangle Body Type
What do you, Vin Diesel and Channing Tatum have in common? You guessed it. You all have inverted triangle body types. So what does this mean? You have a well-defined chest and broad shoulders complemented by a narrow waist. Play up classic prints like horizontal stripes to exemplify your frame. Show off your toned upper body by opting for fitted fashion for broad shoulders, including slim-fit flannels and outerwear. Stay refined in a tailored suit or step up in men’s streetwear to build your style cred. See what we did there?
The Trapezoid Body Type
By definition, a trapezoid is a four-sided figure with only one pair of parallel sides. You don’t need to be a mathematician to determine if you have a trapezoid body shape. Your waist is slightly slimmer than your broad ribcage and shoulders. Lucky you. Your body type is one of the most common and easiest ones to dress since you are naturally balanced. Stand out from the crowd like Gerard Butler or Hugh Jackman by sporting seasonal trend items like men’s loungewear. Don’t underestimate the power of a cozy henley to stay looking as sharp as a pair of adamantium claws.
Dress Shirt Styles for Men with Broad Shoulders
Long gone are the days when your only dress shirt options for broad-shouldered men were crisp cotton. Thank goodness. Non-stretch fabric makes getting an optimal fit tough for broad shoulders. Button-down shirt makers have taken a cue from activewear and started designing many of their shirts with stretch. The added spandex or elastane in shirts creates a better fit across the shoulders and in the arms. With a bit more give for ease of movement, added stretch really goes the distance for all-day comfort.
Did you know dress shirts come in three fits—slim, regular and hybrid or athletic? Try your size in each to find what works best for you. Prefer a slimmer fit at the waist? Sizing up on a true slim-fit shirt may work wonders to add more room for your shoulders. Searching for big and tall men’s fashion tips? Opt for a tall-fit version with a regular fit at the waist for extra room to tuck. Hybrid or athletic fit button-down shirts may be the answer to your dress shirt dilemma. This style is specifically designed with a wider cut across the shoulder and chest area but with tapering in the waist. How’s that for getting your best fit yet?
Jackets for Men with Broad Shoulders
When winter knocks on your door, reach for a jacket before you brave the cold. Jackets are closet staples, but they can be fashion fights for men with broad shoulders. The solution? Well, it depends on what your cold-weather looks like. If you’re living in a winter wonderland, size up in your outerwear. This will add room through the shoulders, allowing for layering over thicker sweaters and fleece sweatshirts. In milder climates, stick to your normal size to keep off the bulk. Most likely, you won’t need the extra space when layering over thin shirts. To give you the flexibility you need over your broad shoulders and back, select a jacket with stretch. Wondering what outerwear to add to your closet? We can’t get enough of field, moto or bomber jackets and on-trend shackets.
Suit Fashion for Men with Broad Shoulders
Suiting up for a soiree? Maybe your New Year’s Eve look calls for something a little more dapper? Look no further than well-fitting suits with plenty of structure. Dark colors will always be a sure bet because they are versatile and slimming. Try a classic black, grey or navy. All pair effortlessly with almost any color dress shirt. To add a fashion-forward feel to your suit, don another dark color like burgundy or forest green. Opt for a thin pinstripe to elongate your frame or choose a velvet blazer for a textural detail. Enlist the help of a good tailor to fashion suits for broad shoulders. You may not get your best fit right off the rack, but alterations will have your suits sized perfectly. Yes, even through your shoulders. Now that’s something to celebrate.
Creating Balance with Fashionable Pants for Men with Broad Shoulders
Now you know how to find your best fit with shirts, so let’s get to the bottom of it. And by that, we mean your pants. If you’re looking to minimize broad shoulders, balance them with pants in a straight cut. Going for a more casual aesthetic with a pair of jeans? An untucked shirt creates a linear look, especially if you have a narrow waist.
If you’ve worked hard for your broad shoulders, honor them in a pair of slim-fit pants. We can’t emphasize this enough–fit is it. Not only are slim-fit pants stylish for men with broad shoulders, but also create a slim line. This highlights your upper body. Stick with dark colors on the bottom and light hues up top to create a triangular shape. You may already have the best-fitting blue jeans for your build, but we encourage you to experiment. Corduroy pants in earthy tones are one of men’s fall fashion 2021 top trends. Black denim is another contemporary option that instantly elevates casual wear. No matter what you choose, these fit options are great companions for a broad shoulder build.
Fashion Upgrades for Men with Broad Shoulders: Wearing Stylish Prints
Now that you know which men’s fashions fit broad shoulders, shake things up by adding fun prints into the mix. We love prints and patterns because they add personality to any outfit. If you are a guy who is always on the edge of fashion, embrace mixing your patterns. Wondering what prints to stock up on? Here are our favorite print styles to accompany broad shoulders while keeping your frame in proportion.
Cool Color-Blocking
Whether you put your shoulders on display or prefer to downplay them, color is your style hero. Balance out wide shoulders by selecting a 90s-inspired color block shirt that features dark colors up top. For example, try a T-shirt with black shoulders and sleeves and a lighter color through the torso. Inversely, a light color through your shoulders will widen this area and give your frame an inverted triangle appearance. Curious about how to add color to your closet? Start with muted versions of your favorite hues or get inspiration from color trends for the season. Bold colors and prints are taking center stage as a 2022 men’s fashion trend. Are you in?
Fashion-Forward Prints for Broad Shoulders
Small prints look polished and fashionable against broad shoulders. Microfloral dress shirts spruce up your suit separates. Start a conversation with a playful print. Think all-over sharks or mini-islands to match the resort wear trend. If stripes are a yes for you, keep horizontal stripes small to highlight broad shoulders. Vertical stripes help create the illusion of lengthening your torso and narrowing your chest and shoulders. No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong with a print that pops.
Ready to rework your wardrobe to highlight your body type? Take your style quiz and schedule a Fix. We’ll ship five items, selected for your personal style and fit, right to your door. While you wait for your curated box to arrive, check out Stitch Fix Freestyle™. Instantly buy fashion for broad shoulders with ease. Don’t forget shipping, exchanges and returns are always free.
