Casual Outfits That Flatter An Oval Shape – A Guide for Refined Gentlemen
Creating a flattering casual wardrobe when you have an oval body shape requires understanding how different occasions demand subtle variations in styling and formality.
By mastering a few key principles of proportion and selecting the right garments, you can build a versatile wardrobe that enhances your silhouette while ensuring comfort.
Casual Business Meetings
Begin with a navy cotton polo shirt from Ralph Lauren in size medium-tall – the additional length creates an elongating effect while the structured collar draws attention upward, creating a more balanced silhouette.
Layer with an unstructured navy blazer from Boglioli – the soft shoulders and slightly longer length help create clean lines without adding bulk to the midsection.
Choose Brooks Brothers’ khaki-coloured chino trousers in a straight leg cut, sitting at your natural waist – this silhouette skims past the midsection without clinging, while the natural waist positioning helps elongate your legs.
Albert Thurston suspenders ensure your trousers maintain an impeccable drape – crucial for oval body shapes as any bunching around the waistline can create unflattering horizontal lines.
Complete the look with Crockett & Jones dark brown suede loafers – the rounded toe box provides comfort while the dark colour maintains the vertical line of your outfit.
Summer Social Events
Select a white Sunspel Riviera polo shirt in a structured piqué cotton – the fabric’s weight provides subtle structure while the white colour minimises the appearance of the midsection.
Choose high-rise linen trousers from Anderson & Sheppard in navy – the high rise elongates your legs while the linen’s natural structure skims rather than clings.
Add a woven leather belt from Brunello Cucinelli in tan – the texture adds interest without creating a harsh horizontal line across your midsection.
Finish with Alden unlined suede chukka boots in snuff suede – the ankle height creates a seamless line from trouser to shoe, elongating your overall silhouette.
Accessorise with Persol’s tortoiseshell sunglasses featuring a slightly rounded frame – this shape softens angular features while adding definition to your face.
Weekend Errands
Start with a grey merino wool crew neck from John Smedley – the fine gauge wool provides structure without bulk, crucial for oval body shapes.
Layer underneath with a white spread collar shirt from Drake’s – the spread collar creates width at the shoulders, balancing your proportions.
Choose straight-leg selvedge denim from Anglo-Italian Co. in a dark wash – the structured denim and straight cut create clean lines while the dark colour has a slimming effect.
Add John Lobb’s white leather low-top sneakers – the minimalist design maintains a clean line while providing essential comfort for walking.
Smart Casual Dining
Begin with a lightweight cashmere turtleneck from William Lockie in charcoal – the vertical line of the neck elongates while the soft drape skims the torso.
Choose pleated flannel trousers from Rota in mid-grey – the pleats provide comfort when seated while the vertical lines create length.
Add a dark brown suede jacket from Stoffa – the unstructured cut provides warmth without bulk, while the length helps elongate your silhouette.
Complete with Edward Green dark oak chelsea boots – the seamless design creates an unbroken line from trouser to floor.
Travel Days
Start with a merino wool quarter-zip from Gran Sasso in navy – the quarter-zip creates a flattering V-neck line while providing easy temperature regulation.
Layer over a light blue oxford shirt from G. Inglese – the vertical stripes and structured collar draw the eye upward.
Choose Incotex’s refined travel chinos in grey – the cotton-elastane blend maintains shape while providing comfort, with a cut that skims rather than clings.
Finish with Mephisto walking shoes in black calf – the supportive sole provides comfort while the sleek design maintains a refined appearance.
Final Considerations for Your Wardrobe
Remember that vertical lines, structured fabrics, and thoughtful layering are your strongest allies when dressing an oval body shape.
Consider having each piece professionally altered – precise fit ensures your clothes work with, not against, your natural shape.
Build your casual wardrobe gradually, focusing on versatile pieces in navy, charcoal, and white that create lengthening effects.
Pay particular attention to fabric weight and structure – medium-weight fabrics generally provide the most flattering drape for oval body shapes.
When curating your casual wardrobe, remember that fit and proportion matter more than trends – invest in timeless pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable.
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!