Casual Outfit Ideas for Men with an Oval Body Shape

Casual Business Meetings

Begin with a navy cotton polo shirt from Ralph Lauren.

If your torso is long, a tall fit gives enough length to stay tucked or to cover the waistband, and a collar that holds its shape keeps the neckline neat.

Layer with an unstructured navy blazer from Boglioli.

Soft shoulders and a length that covers the seat let the blazer hang cleanly over the middle without adding bulk.

Choose Brooks Brothers’ khaki chino trousers in a straight leg.

Where the waistband sits is a choice: some men with a fuller middle prefer it above the fullest point of the abdomen, others lower, under it.

Rise labels vary between makers, so check where it actually sits, standing and seated, and pick the trouser that stays put and skims the seat and thigh without clinging.

If you wear the waistband higher, Albert Thurston braces hold the trousers in place so they hang cleanly.

Bunching or pulling at the waistband is a fit problem rather than a shape problem: braces, a different rise or size, or an alteration can solve it.

Complete the look with Crockett & Jones dark brown suede loafers.

A rounded toe is comfortable, and shoes close in depth of tone to the trousers are meant to keep the eye moving down the leg, if that is the effect you like.

Summer Social Events

Select a white Sunspel Riviera polo shirt.

Sunspel makes the Riviera in a lightweight mesh cotton, which is cool in summer heat; check that it lies smoothly over the middle rather than clinging.

White is a classic summer choice; if you prefer less contrast at the middle, a mid-tone polo is the alternative to compare.

Choose high-rise linen trousers from Anderson & Sheppard in navy.

A higher waistband gives a longer run of trouser from waist to shoe, which many men like, and linen hangs away from the leg rather than clinging.

Check the rise standing and seated, as above.

Add a woven leather belt from Brunello Cucinelli in tan.

A woven belt is a softer detail at the waist than a high-shine leather belt.

Finish with Alden unlined suede chukka boots in snuff suede.

With trousers that fall cleanly to the boot, the line runs on from trouser to shoe.

Accessorise with Persol’s tortoiseshell sunglasses; choose a frame you like on your face, as frame shape is a separate question from body outline.

Weekend Errands

Start with a grey merino wool crew neck from John Smedley.

A fine-gauge knit lies close without adding bulk, so it skims the middle; make sure the hem does not ride up when you move.

Layer underneath with a white spread collar shirt from Drake’s.

The collar shows above the crew neck and frames the face.

Choose straight-leg selvedge denim from Anglo-Italian Co. in a dark wash.

A straight leg falls in a clean line from seat to hem, and many men find a dark wash easy to wear; selvedge describes how the cloth is woven, not how the jeans fit, so check the rise and seat on you.

Add John Lobb’s white leather low-top trainers.

The plain design keeps the outfit clean and is comfortable for walking.

Smart Casual Dining

Begin with a lightweight cashmere turtleneck from William Lockie in charcoal.

A fine cashmere drapes over the torso rather than clinging; if a high neck feels closed in, a fine V-neck or crew neck is the alternative.

Choose pleated flannel trousers from Rota in mid-grey.

Pleats give extra room at the front when you sit, which many men with a fuller middle find comfortable, and the pressed crease runs a vertical line down the leg.

Add a dark brown suede jacket from Stoffa.

An unstructured cut is warm without bulk, and a jacket long enough to cover the seat keeps the line over the middle continuous.

Complete with Edward Green dark oak Chelsea boots.

A plain boot under a full-length trouser gives an unbroken line from trouser to floor.

Travel Days

Start with a merino wool quarter-zip from Gran Sasso in navy.

Worn partly open, the zip makes a V at the neck, and it is easy to open or close as the temperature changes.

Layer over a light blue oxford shirt from G. Inglese.

A collar that holds its shape keeps the neckline tidy above the knit; a fine striped oxford is an alternative if you like a vertical pattern.

Choose Incotex’s travel chinos in grey.

Check the composition on the label: a cotton blend with a little stretch keeps its shape and moves with you, and the cut should skim the seat and thigh rather than cling.

Long journeys mean a lot of sitting, so check the waistband seated.

Finish with Mephisto walking shoes in black calf for a supportive sole and a plain, neat design.

Final Considerations for Your Wardrobe

Vertical lines, cloth that holds its shape and thoughtful layering are useful tools when dressing an oval outline, but fit comes first.

A tailor can often adjust trouser waists, sleeve lengths and jacket sides so that ready-made clothes sit properly over the middle; what can be altered depends on the garment and how much cloth it has.

Build your casual wardrobe gradually, starting with versatile shirts, knits, trousers and jackets in colours you wear often, such as navy, charcoal and white.

Pay attention to cloth weight and structure: many men with a fuller middle find that medium-weight cloth hangs better than very thin cloth, which can cling, or very stiff cloth, which can add bulk.

Fit and proportion matter more than trends, so choose garments that feel comfortable and that you are glad to wear.