The 5 Men's Body Types
Rectangle: shoulders, waist and hips are about the same width. Triangle: the waist or hips are wider than the shoulders. Inverted triangle: broad shoulders and chest with a narrow waist, common in athletic builds. Oval: fullness through the midsection, wider than chest and hips. Trapezoid: broad shoulders that taper slightly to the waist; most menswear is cut for this shape.
You may also hear ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Those labels come from a 1940s theory that tied physique to personality, which hasn't held up; they're still used loosely to mean lean, muscular and heavier builds.
How to Tell Which You Are
Stand in front of a mirror in a fitted T-shirt and compare the width of your shoulders with your waist. Much wider shoulders: inverted triangle or trapezoid. About the same: rectangle. Narrower shoulders: triangle. If your stomach is the widest point, oval.
Read more: How to Dress for Your Body Type: The Simple Rules
How to Dress Each Type
Rectangle: add shape with structured jackets, layering and slim (not skinny) trousers; horizontal details at the chest help. Triangle: build the shoulders: structured blazers, epaulettes, chest pockets, crew necks; keep trousers straight and dark. Inverted triangle: keep tops simple and fitted at the waist, avoid heavy shoulder padding, and add a little bulk below with straight-leg trousers.
Oval: dark, solid colours on top, open-collar shirts and V-necks for a vertical line, unstructured jackets worn open, and no tight or clingy fabrics; make sure trousers sit at the natural waist. Trapezoid: most cuts fit off the rack; focus on fit and proportion. More in how to dress for your body type.
Fit Beats Everything
Whatever your type, clothes that fit do more than any trick. Shoulder seams should sit at the edge of your shoulders, shirts shouldn't pull at the buttons, and trousers should sit cleanly on your shoes. See how a suit should fit.
In Ollie Stylist you can set the free model to a slim, average, athletic or plus build and your height, then dress it in real clothes to see what works before you buy.
Read more: How Should a Suit Fit? A Simple Checklist