With all of my posts recently about weight loss / being overweight and clothing I thought I would finish off with how I felt when having to decide what type of fitting I should wear as an overweight guy. Should I go for the loose fitting? Or the normal regular fit. Would I be bold and go all slim fit and try and boost my confidence unlike when I was overweight before? What to do what to do. I eventually narrowed it down to two… Kinda. Shall we?
Only regular fit or baggy for you big lad
I spoke before about how when I first started to lose weight, how I would not be comfortable at all in regular fitted clothing because I hated how it looked almost baggy on me. I wanted to show off my new slimness. Well, it turns out that the haunting feeling of slightly baggy clothing hasn’t left me in the slightest and I still hate it. I had thought when I regained the weight that I would be happy to resort back to regular to hide my weight, but this time the shame that I had before didn’t hit me. That was really unexpected on my side as I had no idea that the feeling had left me. I had bought a regular fitted pair of chinos and they felt like sails from the upper thigh down. I felt really uncomfortable in them and felt if anything more noticeable to others for wearing some that I considered ill-fitting. A total surprise and one that I think is a bit of a welcome one in honesty.
This feeling kept with the shirts as well. I knew I had more of a stomach and although I wanted to make sure that the clothing wasn’t bulging or look like it was about to burst at any section, I also really wasn’t happy if it was too loose. A little loose would have been okay, as then as I lost more weight I could drop down to slim fit soon and it proved that my weight loss was working. Whereas regular, just looked wrong. I really couldn’t put my finger fully on it.
Slim fit for the win then?
Not exactly, while I was very uncomfortable with regular fitted clothing due to the looseness, I was also slightly uncomfortable with slim fitted clothing or I currently am at the minute at least. I feel I am slightly too large in the stomach and chest to be comfortable in it as it brings my confidence down a little due to the clinginess of the material. I feel when I get to large and then medium I will be happy with a slim fit but not just yet. It’s the feeling of pressing against something too much and all you can do is think about it and know it’s there… Maddening.
Me as of December 2014
Another reason for my thoughts on this is a little more complicated (possibly) although the size will say (for example) XL, that XL is as close as possible (without being skinny) to a large. That will be great for me when I get close to the larges as then I can transition to a slim fit XL and then get rid of the XL’s completely when I move down to large, but for that annoying little period I don’t want to say fit into a large shirt and have to buy an XL shirt to have it fit the way I want. It is all from a mental standpoint of knowing that I am a certain clothing size, but because of the fit, I have to go back up to the size that I just tried very hard to leave and never return to. I think it gets to you mentally, even though you know and there is physical evidence that you have reduced your weight and size… To go back up just for a slightly better fit is troublesome.
So the question is do you stick with a slightly loose top or trousers for a little while or do you give in and try to make yourself look good and have a mental boost but sacrifice the other part of your brain that remembers that you are still wearing the size you wanted to get away from?
There is another option!
I know, and I apologise, I have misled you regarding this. Regular or slim-fit Scott, I have an out and I always knew I had an out. Again, my apologies.
Tapered trousers are for me a Godsend. I like the slight tightness of a slim fit on the calves and to the legs a bit too. But if I am not in the slim fit stage for those trousers or chinos then I call upon the tapered cut as they are slim fit at the bottom and regular at the top. It is almost as if someone knew this! I kind of have the feeling they were made for people with larger thighs as there is nothing worse than struggling to pull those trousers up and feel comfortable for a lot of walking if the slim fit is just a little tight. It is the perfect middle man and I am pleased to have them in my life. It gives me the chance to have a confidence boost of wearing the size I want, without sacrificing the look.
With the shirts I go (usually) for tailored, especially for work reasons as I feel too baggy looks a bit unprofessional and too tight looks like I am just lying to myself. So I try to look as decent as possible… To varying degrees of success! Ha! If possible I try to do the same with my other shirts but that just isn’t possible. So I have my fail-safe plan, waistcoat. If the shirt is a little too loose or tight, I whip on a waistcoat and I cover myself up! The public will never know my trick!
In the end…
It doesn’t really matter. Why? well, it is all perspective, to be honest. For me tapered or tailored worked best for my confidence. I was able to believe in myself a little. I felt horrible in baggy clothes and although slim fit was grand it was a little too tight-fitting and as I said, it was almost a next level in progress to my weight loss. Tapered or tailored first, then slim fit of that same size and then when I got to the next size down, back to tapered and tailored, so on and so forth.
But as I said, that all worked for me, that might not work for you, wear what you think is most comfortable for you. If something baggy of skinny fit makes you confident, then rock the hell out of it. Own it. If people look then they look, they may look for different reasons and sometimes that is for good reasons.
Build your confidence and make your wardrobe you. I love my waistcoats and shirts as normal everyday wear, that is my style. Look at what interests you and make it work for you. This is probably not the answer you want as I know you want to know if you can wear a slim fit. The answer is simple. You can if you feel confident and comfortable. Why can’t or shouldn’t you? That’s the main question, why shouldn’t you wear the fit you want? Go get it.Until next time!
Weight loss posts
- Weight loss Journey: The 5 ways I am going to lose weight
- Saying Goodbye to the larger clothes sizes
- Weight loss Journey: Why I regained weight
- Weightloss Journey: Part one, clothing
- Being okay with not being body positive with yourself: Clothing
- Being okay with not being body positive with yourself: Part 1
- Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder from a male perspective
If you want to chat more about any of my posts, please follow me onTwitter,InstagramandFacebookto also receive updates. Until next time, thanks for reading and I hope to see you again soon!
FAQs
Can chubby guys wear slim fit jeans? ›
One large mistake that is commonly made by men of all shapes and sizes is the fact that most men aren't wearing the correctly fitted clothes. And most bigger men think they can't wear slim fitting clothes – WRONG-O!
Should I wear slim fit if I have a belly? ›Slim fits arent particularly tight around the waist but if you have a large abdomen/stomach then this will be too tight and you are better to opt for a regular fit shirt. For the rest of the body, a slim fit shirt will fit well so you do not need to size up for any other reason other than the midsection or waist area.
Is slim fit good for big guys? ›Fat guys can wear slim-fit shirts to achieve a more stylish look than regular shirts. These shirts are true to size and fit close to the body, making it harder to hide your extra weight. They are very form-fitting, so if your body fat percentage is high, you might need to buy a size larger.
What type of pants should big guys wear? ›Bigger guys can still dress sharp, so there's no excuse to limit your wardrobe to baggy T-shirts and sweats. Opt for low-rise trousers or chinos with little or no break. Designs with a slight taper from the knee down will have an extra slimming effect.
How to dress overweight men? ›Dress simple, so that it doesn't become an overwhelming effect. Good clothes for large men keep the patterns to a minimum. Broad, solid spaces help complement your shape — be thinking solid-color jackets, lightly striped shirts, and so on, rather than anything with busy graphics or patterns.
What should I wear if I have a big stomach? ›Go big on top, narrow on bottom
If you like the idea of belly camouflage but want to show some shape too, let opposites attract. Pair any full-cut top, blouse, jacket or tunic with a slim base of trim pants, leggings or straight or skinny jeans (here's where the latter come in handy even if you no longer love them).
Don't wear tight or clingy garments over your belly and choose tops with ruching or drape. If you want to look stylish and highlight your strengths, it is best not to wear tight tops. They will accentuate every fat bubble you have and draw attention away from you and your fabulous clothes.
Does slim-fit make you look slim? ›Buy a slim-fit dress shirt. Wearing a shirt that hugs your shoulders, waist, and chest will automatically create a slimmer image. Look for shirts in slim, extra slim, modern, or athletic fits. Be careful not to overdo the slim cut.
Do you have to be skinny to wear a slim-fit suit? ›Who Can Wear a Slim-Fit Suit? You will generally wear a slim-fit suit if you have a medium to small build. But they can look great if you're on the tall and thin side, too. Men with large stomachs are probably better off with a more classic cut.
Where should an overweight man wear his pants? ›For God's sake, wear your pants around your middle.
Avoid Dunlop's Disease, when your belly done lops over your belt, by buying pants with a waist size and rise large enough to pull up to right below your navel, and then wear them like that. While you're at it, buy yourself a longer belt too.
What men's pant style is best for thick legs? ›
Tapered-style pants in general can be great for guys with athletic or bigger legs because they're cut a little roomier in the hips and thighs. Guys with bigger thighs will appreciate how they're tapered through the leg for a slim, modern look.
Which type of jeans is best for fat legs for men? ›- Kam Regular Comfort Fit Tough Denim Jeans – Stonewash.
- Ed Baxter Mistral Stretch Denim Jeans – Stonewash.
- Kam Regular Fit Stretch Quality Jeans – Black.
A classic fit pant leg is likely to look the most proportionate. Colors and patterns: Big guys look best in solid colors. Darker colors have a slimming effect. Light colored suits are tricky, as are patterns like plaid and horizontal stripes.
Can overweight men be attractive? ›Across the studies, heavier women generally tended to find overweight men more attractive. The effect that exposing participants to obese men had on attraction was not moderated by participant BMI in any of the studies.
How to hide belly fat in jeans? ›In terms of hiding belly fat, high-waisted jeans could become your new best friend. Simply put, high-rise jeans help you hide belly fat by covering and smoothing the area. Wide Leg: In response to the skinny jeans phenomenon, wide-leg styles have become more popular as a way to offer something different.
How can I make my stomach look thinner? ›- Stand up straight. ...
- Dress in belly-flattening fashions. ...
- Turn in an hour earlier. ...
- Swap soda for Sassy Water. ...
- Munch more whole grains and protein. ...
- Have watermelon for dessert. ...
- Add this cupboard staple to your diet. ...
- Go slowly at meals.
Clothes To Avoid
Avoid wearing clothes that cling to parts of your body you feel conscious about. Make sure you avoid the wrong kind of undergarments. Be all up for exploring new outfit ideas, but not at the cost of your style and comfort.
Now, before you start copping grandpa pants that sit above your belly button, don't. But, as a general rule, jeans should sit on the hips, while chinos and suit pants should land just above the hip, which will allow you to tuck in your shirt without worrying about it popping out mid-meeting.
What jeans to wear if you have a big stomach? ›Mid-rise and high-rise jeans help to support and cover your belly. These jeans are the most flattering shape if you have concerns about your tummy. Avoid wearing low-rise jeans. These don't cover your belly and tend to cause a muffin-top, which may make you feel uncomfortable.
How should chubby men wear jeans? ›For God's sake, wear your pants around your middle.
Avoid Dunlop's Disease, when your belly done lops over your belt, by buying pants with a waist size and rise large enough to pull up to right below your navel, and then wear them like that. While you're at it, buy yourself a longer belt too.
Can I wear slim fit jeans if I have big thighs? ›
Absolutely! Whatever your thigh size and body type, you can wear skinny jeans and expect to look great in them. The reason why some women don't is that some skinny jeans can be too tight and uncomfortable to sit in.
What type of jeans are good for big bellies? ›Traditionally, however, high- or mid-rise jeans offer round bellies a more comfortable fit. So, if you want to feel supported, look for a more high-rise design, like the Lane Bryant Tighter Tummy Fit High Rise Straight Jean.
Who can wear slim fit jeans? ›A jean that suits your body type
Anyone can wear a slim jean, try it ! On the other hand, if your shoulders are not too broad and you have nice legs that are neither too thin nor too muscular, squeeze into those jeans! Slim jeans tend to loosen up a tiny bit when worn, so consider choosing a tighter one.
Loose tops that fall over the thighs stretch the silhouette. Wide or straight-cut trousers make the thigh appear slimmer. Skirts and dresses in A-line emphasize the upper body and conceal big legs. Patterns and bright colours in the area of the upper body distract from the thighs.
What jeans fit best for big thighs mens? ›- Lucky 221 – Slim Straight Jeans That Fit Big Thighs. ...
- Levi's 559 – Relaxed Straight Fit Jeans for Huge Thigh Comfort. ...
- Levi's 513 – Skinny (ish) Jeans for Men with Big Thighs. ...
- 4. Lee Extreme Motion – Best Budget Jeans for Active Guys with Big Quads.
Tapered-style pants in general can be great for guys with athletic or bigger legs because they're cut a little roomier in the hips and thighs. Guys with bigger thighs will appreciate how they're tapered through the leg for a slim, modern look.
Can men over 50 wear slim fit jeans? ›Slim Jeans for Older Men – And the Younger Ones, Too
As you get older, skinny jeans are a style you've likely aged out of. That doesn't mean you should be avoiding all slim styles, though. Some of the best jeans for older men are slim-leg pairs that are comfortable, age-appropriate, and stylish.
Regular fit jeans are perfect for men and women who want a pair of jeans that won't hug too tight against their legs, but also don't want their jeans to look too baggy and sloppy. These regular fit jeans find a sort of middle ground between slim and loose, and provide a reasonable, normal fit.
What is difference between regular fit and slim fit? ›As the name suggests, slim fit t-shirts fit closely to the body. From their sleeves to the back measurements, they fit well and can look small in length and breadth. On the other hand, a regular fit t-shirt is more straight-looking and goes straight from the armhole to the waist.