For gentlemen with an apple body shape, mastering the art of dressing well requires understanding how to create balanced proportions whilst maintaining comfort and style.
Drawing from my two decades of experience dressing distinguished clientele at Savile Row, I shall guide you through creating sophisticated ensembles that will enhance your silhouette and project authority across every significant social occasion.
Black Tie Events
A midnight blue dinner suit from Henry Poole cut with a longer line and subtle waist suppression, creates an elegant evening silhouette without emphasising the midsection.
Turnbull & Asser’s Marcella-front evening shirt, with its discreet pleats and moderate spread collar, provides refined formality while ensuring comfort throughout the evening.
A black barathea silk bow tie from Budd Shirtmakers maintains classical proportions without overwhelming your face.
Black patent leather Oxford evening shoes from George Cleverley, with their sleek silhouette, complete the formal ensemble with understated sophistication.
A white linen pocket square from Emma Willis and mother-of-pearl dress studs from Deakin & Francis provide the essential finishing touches.
Business Formal
A charcoal grey single-breasted suit from Gieves & Hawkes, crafted in Super 120s wool with subtle pinstripes, creates an impeccable foundation for any business ensemble.
The vertical pinstripes elongate your silhouette, while the suit’s structured shoulders, crafted with traditional horsehair canvas, define your upper body magnificently.
A Turnbull & Asser light blue dress shirt featuring their signature moderate spread collar harmoniously balances facial proportions whilst providing ample room around the midsection.
Drake’s burgundy grenadine silk tie introduces subtle texture and sophistication without overwhelming your frame, creating a focal point that draws attention upward.
John Lobb William II black cap-toe Oxfords, with their sleek silhouette and refined last, create an elegant line that visually elongates the legs.
A sterling silver Dunhill tie clip and hand-rolled white linen pocket square from Emma Willis provide the finishing touches of refined sophistication.
Business Casual
A bespoke navy blazer from Anderson & Sheppard in lightweight worsted wool offers versatility while maintaining a polished appearance.
Charvet’s light blue Oxford cloth button-down shirt provides a refined yet relaxed appearance, its soft roll collar framing your face perfectly.
Incotex’s grey wool flannel trousers, cut with a medium rise and gentle taper, create a streamlined silhouette while ensuring all-day comfort.
Crockett & Jones Cavendish loafers in dark brown suede strike the perfect balance between formality and comfort.
A brown alligator leather belt from Edward Green and a vintage Rolex Datejust in steel complete this sophisticated business casual ensemble.
Smart Casual Events
A Boglioli K-Jacket in navy wool-linen hopsack offers unparalleled comfort and sophistication, with natural shoulders and a lighter construction perfect for social occasions.
Emma Willis’s pale pink dress shirt in Swiss cotton poplin creates a fresh appearance, while leaving the top buttons unfastened elongates the neckline elegantly.
Anderson & Sheppard light grey tropical wool trousers, cut with a gentle taper, create a refined silhouette while ensuring comfort throughout the evening.
Edward Green Ventnor loafers in dark oak antique calf leather provide sophistication and subtle height enhancement through their carefully designed last.
Rubinacci’s hand-rolled silk pocket square in pink and navy paisley adds visual interest while coordinating perfectly with your shirt and jacket.
A Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic in rose gold provides the perfect finishing touch, its art deco styling adding a note of refined elegance to your ensemble.
Weekend Casual
A John Smedley navy merino wool V-neck sweater creates a streamlined silhouette while offering exceptional comfort and breathability.
Sunspel’s light grey Sea Island cotton t-shirt provides a luxurious base layer that feels wonderful against the skin whilst managing temperature effectively.
Anglo-Italian’s straight-leg chinos in British khaki, cut with a higher rise, sit perfectly at your natural waist to create balanced proportions.
Private White V.C.’s Ventile cotton bomber jacket, inspired by military aviation wear, provides structure and weather protection without unnecessary bulk.
Crockett & Jones Chiltern desert boots in tobacco suede offer sophisticated comfort while their slim profile maintains elegant proportions.
Complete the ensemble with a Frank Clegg woven leather belt and a Cartier Santos watch in stainless steel, both chosen for their understated refinement.
Summer Garden Parties
A Loro Piana linen jacket in light beige provides exceptional breathability while maintaining an elegant drape that flatters your silhouette.
Charvet’s white linen shirt offers both sophistication and comfort in warm weather, its precise cut providing ample room without appearing oversized.
Rota’s cream cotton gabardine trousers, pleated and cut with a higher rise, ensure comfort while creating clean lines.
Belgian Shoes in tobacco suede provide lightweight comfort perfect for garden events while maintaining an air of casual refinement.
A panama hat from Lock & Co. Hatters not only provides sun protection but adds a touch of timeless summer elegance.
Finish the ensemble with Ray-Ban Clubmaster Classic sunglasses in tortoiseshell and a vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava in yellow gold.
Sporting Events
Ralph Lauren Purple Label’s navy cotton piqué polo shirt, cut generously through the body, provides breathable comfort with refined style.
Corneliani’s lightweight wool-silk-linen blend trousers in stone grey create an elegant line while ensuring comfort during long days at sporting venues.
A Brunello Cucinelli cashmere cable knit sweater, draped elegantly over the shoulders, provides warmth when needed without adding bulk to your frame.
Tod’s Gommino driving shoes in cognac suede offer both comfort and sophistication, perfect for navigating various sporting venues.
Tom Ford’s aviator sunglasses and a Rolex Sky-Dweller in Everose gold complete this refined sporting ensemble.
Final Thoughts on Dressing with Confidence
Building a sophisticated wardrobe for an apple body shape requires investing in well-structured pieces that create balanced proportions whilst ensuring absolute comfort.
Remember that proper fit remains paramount – a £5,000 Kiton suit will never look as elegant as a £500 suit that has been expertly altered to your proportions.
Consider developing a relationship with a trusted tailor at establishments such as Anderson & Sheppard or Gieves & Hawkes, who can ensure each garment enhances your physique perfectly.
Focus on acquiring versatile pieces crafted from superior fabrics – Loro Piana wools, Thomas Mason cottons, and John Smedley knitwear will maintain their shape and elegance throughout years of wear.
When investing in your wardrobe, prioritise classic pieces in darker, solid colours for larger garments, introducing patterns and lighter shades through accessories and shirts.
Ultimately, true elegance comes not just from what you wear, but how you wear it – carry yourself with confidence, knowing that each piece has been thoughtfully chosen to complement your physique.
Style Like a True Gentleman
Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share.
First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.
Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.
Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style in less than 5 minutes by yourself, for free, thanks to our four simple steps:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours, and you must ensure that each hue complements your natural colour.
To do that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.
Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste –Â the first styling assessment is on us!