When I see boys walking around campus, I want to either give them a fashion citation or say to them: "Did you dress in the dark?" There are some boys here who have a great sense of style, but they are few and far between. It’s sad. Dressing well does not have to be a hassle. And boys, if you are self-conscious about your frame, here are some quick fashion tips to help you either appear larger or smaller, respectively.
Skinny Boys:
Wear flat front pants. These pants will make your pelvic area appear larger. When purchasing pants, buy straight leg or boot-cut and avoid skinny jeans and tapered trousers. Don’t be afraid to wear pants with patterns, as these add volume as well. Lastly, burn your pinstripe pants. The lines on the pants elongate you even more, making you appear skinnier. Burn them.
Buy a blazer with a small shoulder pad in it. This will create the illusion of a more muscular frame up top. With any shoulder pad, don’t go crazy. Keep in mind that bigger is not better here. A small shoulder pad will give your upper body a visual boost. Also, make sure your blazers are tailored to fit you properly. When your blazer fits correctly, you look sharp and pulled together.
Dress in layers. With fall practically here, layering will not only keep you warm, it will also make you appear larger. Throw on a long sleeved shirt under your flannel button up on chilly days. You will be comfortable and confident! Additionally, choose heavier fabrics to bulk up the look.
Overweight Boys:
Your clothes should fit perfectly. Clothes that fit too close to the body will show all those bumps you want to hide. Wearing clothes that are too large will make you appear bigger than you really are. We want to avoid both of these. When shopping, choose garments that skim over your body to create a smooth surface. Stay clear of clingy fabrics.
Do not wear bold or loud patterns. When you do, it draws attention to the upper half of your body and you stand out. Not in a good way. Dark solids are what you want to aim for. The only pattern you should try to wear would be vertical lines. Vertical stripes elongate ones physique and will make you appear leaner.
When purchasing dress shirts, buy shirts with very pointed collars on them. It will draw the eye up towards your face. Stay away from turtlenecks as they will make you appear shorter and your neck will vanish thus, making you appear bigger. No good.
Whichever body shape you have, play up your strong features and try to play down your weak ones. We all have them. Use these small tips to do just that!
Amelia is a senior studying logistics. You may contact her at aleach1@utk.edu.
