BY BODY TYPE
How to dress for an athletic or muscular build
Athletic men should wear well-fitted, not tight, clothes: slim or regular-fit polos, crew-neck tees and stretch shirts that follow the V-shape of your body. Pair them with slim-straight or tapered trousers that have room in the thigh. Avoid baggy oversized pieces that hide your shape, and skin-tight ones that look strained.
Fit is the whole game
A gym-built body often finds shirts tight at the chest and loose at the waist. Look for slim fits with stretch (2–5% elastane), or regular fits tailored at the waist.
Pieces that flatter you
- Knit and piqué polos: structured but not clingy.
- Crew-neck tees in heavier cotton.
- Stretch Oxford shirts with sleeves rolled once.
- Tapered chinos and jeans with a roomier thigh.
What to avoid
Skin-tight "muscle fit" tees can look try-hard, and very oversized or boxy pieces hide the shape you have worked for.
PICKED BY OUR STYLIST
Pieces that follow this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Should muscular men wear slim fit shirts?
Yes, slim fit shirts with some stretch are ideal. If they pull at the buttons, size up and choose regular fit instead.
What trousers suit big thighs?
Tapered or slim-straight fits with an "athletic" or "relaxed thigh" cut give room at the top and a clean line at the ankle.
Do polos suit athletic men?
Polos are one of the best pieces for an athletic build. The collar frames your shoulders and the knit follows your shape.