


Wardrobe Essentials, Models, Photographers
After working out consistently, you have built a solid muscular physique. Perhaps you are newer on your weight training journey, and you are planning to have a physique like Mauro Fialho (mens physique pro), Laszlo Kiraly (classic physique), or Chris Bumstead (classic physique pro) one day.
The physique that is favored in physique competition—broad shoulders, thickly muscled back, lean waist (a V-shape), and well-developed legs—is a rare body type. So, outside of athletic clothing, it can be difficult to find clothing for non-gym activities—a date, a job, and so on.
(Fit guys like Josh Riquelme, Kyle Ehrensberger, Diego Sechi, and Fraser Wilson have physiques that mass-produced clothing can accommodate. Still, most of the brands that I will discuss would suit these physique types as well.)
Fortunately, there are clothing brands that specialize in making clothes for muscular guys. The goals of this article are
Note: While there are different levels of muscularity in a physique competition
for the purposes of this article, I will consider all levels as bodybuilding. The gym-built bodies differ significantly from the general population of guys.
There are two types of undertones—cool and warm. Skin tone is different from skin color. The best way to tell whether you have a cool or warm skin tone. Stand in front of a mirror and hold a sheet of white copy paper next to your face.
When you determine what type of undertone you have, you can tell which colors look best next to your skin.
I have provided a very quick explanation of how to apply a portion of color theory. However, if you are interested in viewing the topic in-depth, I recommend Marcel Floruss‘s video on color theory (at right). Marcel is a fashion school graduate and provides technical information in an easy-to-understand manner.
Neutral colors should be the foundation of a guy’s wardrobe. Neutral colors are black, white, grey, beige, and khaki. Once you build a wardrobe based on neutral colors, you can begin to mix in more colors.
Your wardrobe for non-athletic places should include essential pieces. If money is tight, you can slowly buy new clothes or find pieces at a trusted thrift shop until your wardrobe is complete.
For the thrift shop idea and style ideas for muscular guys, see the video with Nathan McCallum and Marcel Floruss (right).
Brock McGoff, The Modest Man at YouTube, explains why the foundation of your wardrobe should be based on neutral colors. He also provides his advice on what he would by if he were building up his wardrobe.
Jacket | Dark grey suit |
Shirts | White dress shirt, casual button-down shirt, t-shirt |
Pants | Dress pants, casual pants (chinos), dark denim jeans |
Outerwear | Leather jacket, lightweight jacket, overshirt, topcoat |
Shoes | Leather boots, dress shoes, white or black leather sneakers |
Accessories | Watch, bracelet, leather belt |
Jordan Morello, a social media personality, online trainer, and owner of Shortys Apparel, enjoys leg day and built hard-won thigh and hip muscles. He tried on four pairs of denim jeans to see which pair suited his weight-trainer thighs the best.
Jordan ranked the jeans he modeled in the video as follows:
There are also jeans available from many of the clothing brands for bodybuilders in the next section.
The goal is to find wardrobe essential pieces that are made for bodybuilder physiques.
Several brands focus on this unique fashion niche.
The sizes for the brand’s shirts are based on chest circumference and abdominal girth.
Level | Chest Circumference [cm |in] | Abdominal Girth [cm |in] |
1 | 105 – 110 | 41 1/3 – 43 1/3 | 78-92 | 30 ¼ – 36 ¼ |
2 | 111 – 115 | 43 ¾ – 45 ¼ | 83 -97 | 32 2/3 – 38 ¼ |
3 | 116 – 121 | 45 2/3 – 47 2/3 | 88 – 102 | 33 2/3 – 38 ¼ |
4 | 122 – 126 | 48 – 49 2/3 | 93 – 107 | 36 2/3 – 42 ¼ |
5 | 127 – 133 | 50 – 52 1/3 | 98 – 112 | 38 ½ – 44 |
The shirt lengths are based on a bodybuilder’s height.
Shirt Length | Bodybuilder’s Height |
Short | Up to 177 cm | 5 feet, 10 inches |
Normal | From 177 cm | 5 feet, 10 inches to 6 feet, 1 inch |
Lang | From 186 cm | 6 feet, 1 inch + |
The brand offers three versions of a dress shirt and one denim shirt. The cost is 89 euros.
The sizing for Oxblood is based on particular dimensions of a bodybuilder’s x-frame (wide shoulders/upper back, narrower waist, and wider hips, and bigger thighs). For example, the “Greyman” fit is recommended for a guy who is 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet two inches tall, up to 225 pounds.
The Angus fit is interesting. The 212-pound bodybuilding category is for guys that are 5 feet five inches tall or shorter. The Angus fit for this height recommends a body weight of up to 175 pounds for guys who have a height from 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 inches.
The brand does caution that not everyone can fit its sizing, but the brand can provide clothing for some big guys. Each product page has a bodybuilder’s photos and his measurement’s so that the reader can compare.
Light-blue dress shirt, the Stallion.
Note: The bodybuilders featured at Oxblood have tree-trunk thighs.
Medium-blue denim jeans, the Mustang Athletic Fit Stretch Jeans
Quote from the brand’s product description: “Tested up to a 300 kg squat”
Black chinos, the Mamba Ultra-flex
The lengths for the chinos can run long if you have squatter’s legs but are short.
The sizing for Tapered Menswear shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest and unflexed biceps measurement. The sizes range from S to XXXXL. For example, for a dress shirt, an XXXL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 45 inch to 47-in chest and 17.5-inch upper arms. For polo shirts and t-shirts, the arm size decreases by 0.5 inch. For more questions about fit, the reader can email or chat with a company representative.
Each product page has a photo of a bodybuilder and height, weight, and chest measurements.
White tapered fit shirt
The brand’s polo shirts are available in short- and long-sleeves. I have chosen the short sleeve shirt for this article.
Black tapered fit polo shirt
The t-shirts have a muscle fit, meaning that the t-shirt fits closer to the body and emphasizes a bodybuilder’s V-shape. The close fit of the t-shirt’s sleeve shows off the wearer’s biceps peak.
White tapered fit t-shirt
The sizing for Father Sons is not explicitly designed for bodybuilders but they do have muscular models wearing their clothes, such as Andrei Deiu and Regan Grimes. Both Andrei and Regan wear shirts with stretch in it.
I do not think that an undershirt would fit under the shirt. Muscle guys can avoid layering clothes. The brand’s sizing for upper-body clothing (XS to XXXXL) is based on chest size. Bodybuilders tend to have huge arms that will not fit in fitted sleeves.
For example, Andrei wears the super-slim stretch black denim long-sleeve shirt (US$61.81; 69 percent cotton, 28 percent polyester, and 3 percent stretch). An interested reader may have to size up with Father Sons to ensure a good fit.
In the leather jacket (US$418.92, lightweight lambs leather), Andrei wears a t-shirt under the jacket. While the body of the jacket fits Andrei well, the sleeves look too tight (you can see the veins on top of his biceps through the material). The brand explains that Andrei is demonstrating the tight, fitted look (size XXL, 50-inch chest).
Still, I added this brand for consideration because of muscular models wearing the clothes. I think fit men like Elad Michaeli, Josh Riquelme, or Kyle Hynick would fit these clothes well.
The brand’s sizing (30 through 38) for lower-body clothing is based on a bodybuilder’s waist (up to 38 inches), hip (up to 44 inches), and thigh (up to 27 inches) circumference. The pants come in four lengths (28, 30, 32, and 34).
The brand’s pants sizing would explain IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Regan Grimes’s experience. In Regan Grimes’s try-on video, he showed that it took some effort for him to put on the brand’s jeans.
Oxford Blue Super Slim Stretch Dress Shirt
Floral Print with Button-Down Collar
Classic Beige Polo Shirt
Classic Navy Ribbed Knit Jumper
Grey Lambs Leather Jacket
The leather is unlined.
Classic White Crew
Slim Formal Plain Navy Stretch Trousers
Slim Stretch Beige Jeans
The sizing for Barbell Apparel shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest. The sizes range from S to XXL (38 inches to 52 inches). For example, for all brand shirts, an XXL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 52-inch chest. For pants, the sizes range from 28/S to 40/XXL. The pants sizes are based on a bodybuilder’s waist and thigh circumference. The length of the pants is 34 inches, which may be too long for shorter men (including me).
Each product page has a photo of a bodybuilder and height, weight, and chest measurements.
Motive Dress Shirt
Shirt sizes range from XS to 4XL (36-inch to 61-inch chest).
Havok Polo
Anything Chino
Straight Athletic Fit
Note: The inseam is 36 inches (for tall guys).
The sizing for Legend London shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest and hips. The sizes range from S to XL. For example, for a dress shirt, an XL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 46-inch chest and 44-inch hips. For pants, the sizes are based on waist circumference (28 inches to 36 inches)
This brand is not marketed for bodybuilders, but there are some UK-based YouTube Fitness channels that feature try-on videos with the brand (for example, Brandon Harding and Joe Delaney).
Smart Super Stretch Button Shirt in Muscle Fit
Beige Spray-on Trousers
The model on the product page is muscular and lean. Tree-trunk thighs likely would not fit or look awkward.
Waist sizes range from 28 inches to 36 inches.
Skinny Fit Jeans
The CEO (and founder) of Tailored Athlete is Harry Simonis. Harry started the brand in 2016 (when he was 22 years old) to serve athletes wanting better-fitting shirts without having to go to the tailor. He explained his idea in creating his brand’s “true muscle fit”.
Working out of his bedroom at his mother’s house in the United Kingdom, Simonis sourced hundreds of fabric samples, started sketching numerous new designs and began conducting market research on his own by measuring thousands of athletes at nearby gyms. “I got a lot of funny looks at first,” the entrepreneur laughs. “Some people agreed, some thought I was mad.”
However, it was through this arduous process that Simonis began to develop the “True Muscle Fit” – scientifically designed for their athletic physique.
Tailored Athlete article
I found several interviews with Harry. One was with Jim Galvin, a UK military veteran and former Olympic athlete.
Also, Harry recorded a promotional video with Sergi Constance, an IFBB pro (mens physique) from Spain.
In addition, Harry recorded a video in 2020 to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the brand. He provided details from his life as well as his vision for the company.
The sizing for Tailored Athlete shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest and waist. The sizes range from S to XXXL. For example, for a dress shirt, an XXL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 48 inch to 50-in chest and a 38-inch to 42-inch waist.
The dimensions favor a V-shaped torso. For more questions about fit, the reader can email a company representative. See also the brand’s size advisor (a button above the “add to cart” button).
Each product page has a photo of a bodybuilder and height, weight, and chest measurements.
The brand states that its shirts have a “true muscle fit,” which includes wider sleeves for bigger upper arms. Big arms of pro physique guys or open class bodybuilders may be too big for the sleeves, despite Tailored Athlete using stretchable performance fabrics for their clothes. I am thinking that fit, muscular guys (like the brand’s CEO, Harry) would be ideal for the dress shirts. (Examples are Kyle Hynick, Josh Riquelme, and Fraser Wilson.)
Essential Dress Shirt
Linen Shirt
Essential T-Shirt
The brand explains that their jeans fit true to waist size and there is no need to size up for big thighs. The jeans seem like they can accommodate moderate muscular thighs (like Dan Tai, former pro rugby player, and current CrossFit athlete).
Tree-trunk thighs would seem to be too big to fit. (The models on the product page do not have tree-trunk thighs like Regan Grimes.)
Premium Stretch Jeans in Dark Blue
The dress pants appear to be able to accommodate bigger thighs. (It would be good for an interested reader to contact the brand to confirm.)
Essential Trousers in Charcoal
This brand is not marketed for bodybuilders, but the owner seeks to make clothes that can accommodate muscular people with larger thighs. Tree-trunk thighs may be too large, but some muscular builds could find jeans with this brand.
The sizing for Fran Denim jeans is based on the waist circumference (30 inches to 38 inches with 2 inseams-31 inches and 34 inches). The brand explains that you can focus on the waist size only without making an adjustment for your thighs.
Daniel Straight Leg Rinse Wash
The sizing for Kojo Fit shirts is based on several measures
The sizes range from XS to XXXL. For example, for a dress shirt, an XXL size would fit a bodybuilder with the following measurements:
Bamboo Satin Stretch Shirt
Essential Bamboo T-shirt
Ultra Stretch Jeans-Tapered Slim Fit
The sizing for Kojo Fit jeans is based on the waist circumference (28 inches to 36 inches with the inseam ranging from 28 inches to 30 inches). With the relatively low inseam options, the brand seems to be focused on shorter men.
Ultra Stretch Chino Pants
The sizing for Kojo Fit pants is based on the waist circumference (28 inches to 36 inches with a 30-inch inseam). With the relatively low inseam options, the brand seems to be focused on shorter men.
The sizing for Olympvs shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s chest measurement. The sizes range from S to XXL. For example, for a dress shirt, an XXL size would fit a bodybuilder with a 46 inch to 48-in chest.
For Olympvs pants, the sizing is based on a bodybuilder’s waist, hip, and thigh (leg-day lovers’ dream) measurements. For example—
Waist: 36 inches
Hip: 42 inches
Thigh: 26 inches to 30 inches
For more questions about fit, the reader can email or chat with a company representative.
The brand makes muscle-fit shirts (basically accommodating a v-tapered physique (wide shoulders and narrower waist). Its shirts are designed to be worn without an undershirt.
High-Performance Shirt
Hyper Stretch Polo
Short-Sleeve Henley
Note: The back pockets on most jeans have rivets. The lengths of the jeans are 30 inches, 32 inches, 34 inches, and 36 inches.
Sorbtek 365 Jeans
The brand’s chinos have a reinforced crotch area (as well as extra room for the glutes and thighs) to prevent blowouts.
Hyper Stretch Chinos
The sizing for Tailored Titan shirts is based on a bodybuilder’s height as well as chest, waist, and flexed-biceps measurements. The shirts have a small brand logo on the chest.
For more questions about fit, the reader can contact a company representative.
The Flex
Dedicated weight training produced your muscular build. You should be able to find clothing that suits a more muscular physique. While you can go to a tailor for made-to-measure or bespoke clothing, those options can be hard on the wallet.
Fortunately, there are some brands available that offer essential clothing for muscular guys at a reasonably affordable price. These essential pieces can be assembled in multiple outfits. Are you a weight training enthusiast that loves leg day or a competitive physique athlete? Perhaps, you are a friend or significant other of a muscular guy. What has been your experience finding non-gym-related clothes that fit well? What brands work well? Tell me in the comments or by email.