About the author: Manny De La Cruz is a lifelong fitness enthusiast turned style aficionado. He is the co-founder of Well Built Style, a website dedicated to helping men around the world overhaul their look through style and fitness.
Manny knows his stuff when it comes to how to dress, so I'm very happy to have this guest post from Manny on IgnoreLimits.com
Most guys get into shape but neglect their style and do not choose clothes that accentuate their physique... don't be one of them. Check out this valuable post.
How To Wear Shorts - Fit Guy Edition
In my opinion, the summer season is a style boon for men with more muscular builds. That’s because compared to the average man, we actually look good in summer staples such as shorts, t-shirts, and polos. A true a testament to our hard work and dedication in the gym.
Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that many men who are in shape don’t do nearly enough to take advantage of this fact, especially when it comes to wearing shorts. All too often I see well built guys wearing baggy cargo shorts.
What the hell?
On my website I’ve thoroughly lambasted the cargo shorts trend while providing advice on how a pair of shorts should actually fit you (i.e. they should be relatively slim and hit you above the knee) so I won’t rehash that here.
However, what I do want to share with you are three ways in which you can wear shorts this summer season, and what men with more muscular builds should pay special attention to.
So let’s begin.
1. Casual Cool
The first outfit is the most casual of the three options and it’s the perfect ensemble for when you’re running errands during the day, enjoying a barbecue with friends in the park, or any other low key activity during the hot summer months.
For guys with more muscular builds the big take away here is the v-neck t-shirt. While there is nothing wrong with a classic, crew neck t-shirt (provided it fits well), a v-neck t-shirt is a little better in my opinion for guys carrying more muscle. Not only does the v-neck do a better job of framing your face, but it also does a better job of framing and highlighting your thicker chest. As absurd as it sounds, it’s sort of like male cleavage. However, just don’t get too carried away. The last thing you want is a super deep v-neck t-shirt that stretches down to your belly button! Not a good look.
2. Stepped Up Casual
The second outfit is what I consider to be a stepped up casual look. It’s great for situations that may require you to wear something more than just a t-shirt such as a summer dinner at your in-laws, or an evening picnic date with your girlfriend. In this case, a collared shirt such as the polo is the perfect way to ratchet up the level of formality of your outfit without getting too carried away.
The key for guys with more muscular builds is the fit of the polo shirt. Make sure that it fits trim through the body and that the sleeves hit you right around the mid-bicep level. A lot of guys tend to shy away from polo shirts because they have become synonymous with your typical overweight IT Herb or Office Dweeb. However, as a guy who is in shape a well-fitting polo shirt is an excellent way to signal to the world that you’re fit and doing more than just pushing pencils.
3. Warm Weather “Formal”
This last outfit is the most formal look of the three and the one I would use if I really wanted to stand out and separate myself from the pack. In fact, it would be a great outfit to wear while grabbing drinks with friends at a cool patio while hitting on some girls.
The key here for guys with more muscular builds is dialing in the fit of the button up shirt. Many of us have as much as a 10 inch drop between our chest and waist measurements. This usually means that button up shirts fit baggy around the midsection. The best remedy for this problem is to have your shirts darted (i.e. taken in at the back). It will give you a nice, clean fit around the midsection and really allow you to show off your v-taper.
Final Word
As a man who is in shape your physique is one of your greatest assets. Unfortunately, many fit men don’t do nearly enough with their style to take advantage of this. That’s why I urge you to use these outfit suggestions as a source of inspiration to begin to develop your own sense of style that highlights all of your hard work in the gym and separates you from the pack!
Here’s to staying fit and looking sharp!