Start here
What’s This About
In The VOU’s guides, the oval or apple body shape is a rounded fuller-middle outline, and dressing it well starts with clothes that have room through the middle.
This guide explains the oval description and puts it into outfits, such as:
how oval compares with diamond and the other five shapes
jackets, tops and trousers that fasten and move without strain
vertical lines, colour and layering, with the effect each is meant to have
outfits for business, weekends, dinner and every season
a do and don’t table written as choices rather than bans
and many more!
For a longer garment-by-garment treatment, our complete oval guide goes further; this page is the quicker overview.
Key Points
01Your natural waist does not have to be your largest measurement for this guide to apply; check garments over the fullest part of your abdomen.
02Oval and Diamond overlap in The VOU’s usage; if both sound like you, use both sets of advice.
03Vertical stripes, darker colours and long scarves are common suggestions, but none has a guaranteed slimming effect.
04Rise labels vary between makers, so check where a waistband actually sits, standing and seated.
The oval body shape for men, or the O body shape (O for oval), is also known as the apple body shape and the round or circle body shape.
In this guide, we use oval for a rounded fuller-middle outline, with the fullness spread fairly generally through the torso rather than concentrated in one band.
It is a description of how the outline reads, not a measurement or a judgement about health, and it does not require your waist to be your largest circumference: if your abdomen below the natural waist is plainly the fullest part of you, this guide is for you.
We use diamond for an outline in which the middle stands out more distinctly between a comparatively narrower upper and lower torso.
The two overlap and are The VOU’s working usage rather than an industry standard, so read both if both sound like you.
A common aim is a longer, continuous line through the middle with some definition at the shoulder, but you do not have to want that.
Comfort through the middle is the one requirement; the rest is preference.
Oval Body (Apple shape) Specifics
If you would like to compare your proportions first, our body shape quiz is optional; everything here works without it.
The table compares the oval description with the other six names The VOU uses.
Each row describes how the outline reads from the front, not a measurement, and no row is a threshold.
Scroll horizontally to see all columns →
| What you are comparing | Oval (Apple) | Diamond | Triangle (Pear) | Rectangle | Inverted Triangle | Trapezoid (Rhomboid) | Hourglass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outline seen from the front | A rounded fuller middle, with the fullness spread fairly generally through the torso | The middle stands out more distinctly between a comparatively narrower upper and lower torso | The lower torso and hip outline looks broader than the shoulders | Little visible taper through shoulders, torso and hips | Shoulders and upper torso look noticeably broader than the hips | Shoulders look a little wider than the hips, with a gentle taper | Shoulders and hips look broadly balanced, with a visibly more defined waist |
| Fit point to check first | Waistband comfort and shirt fastening, standing and seated | Shirt and jacket fastened over the fullest part of the abdomen | Seat and thigh room in trousers | How much waist shaping you want | Shirt waist once the chest fits | Jacket waist and trouser seat | Waist shaping that does not compress |
| Optional styling aim | Room and a continuous line through the middle | More presence at the shoulder, a clean line through the middle | Add presence above the waist | Add shape, or keep the line straight | Soften the contrast, or emphasise it | Show as much of the taper as you like | Follow the waist or play it down |
A Note on Celebrity Examples
Named examples for this shape are collected in The VOU’s separate celebrity article.
The ideas below are illustrated with garments instead.
Apple Body Shape Styling Principles
These are the usual starting points.
The right-hand column says what each is meant to do, which is worth checking in a mirror rather than taking on trust.
Scroll horizontally to see all columns →
| Principle | Explanation |
|---|---|
| A continuous vertical line | Vertical lines, tonal outfits and open layers give the torso a longer, unbroken line |
| Room through the middle | Garments that fasten over the fullest part of the abdomen without pulling |
| Shoulder presence | Some structure at the shoulder gives the shoulder line more definition |
| Interest higher up | Details and accessories at the collar and chest put the eye nearer the face |
| Fabric choice | Cloths with enough body to skim rather than cling |
Key Styling Tips for Apple Body Shapes
The tips below follow those principles.
Fit comes first in each.
A Continuous Vertical Line
Vertical stripes and pinstripes in shirts and suits are the usual suggestion if you want a longer line through the torso.
Compare them in a mirror, since what a stripe does depends on the stripe and the rest of the outfit.
A charcoal pinstripe suit with a crisp white shirt is a classic example.
For casual wear, a navy polo with a vertical stripe and dark wash jeans is a simple alternative.
Room Through the Middle, with Light Shaping
A jacket with a slight taper at the waist gives some shape without pulling, as long as it fastens comfortably over the fullest point.
A belted coat cinches at the middle, so try one on before deciding whether you like that.
A single-breasted blazer in navy or charcoal with gentle waist suppression is a versatile choice.
Shoulder Presence
Jackets with lightly padded or structured shoulders give the shoulder line more definition.
A tweed sports jacket with some shoulder padding is one example; a softer jacket is the alternative if you prefer a relaxed outline.
Interest Higher Up
A pocket square in a bold pattern or a characterful tie puts colour near the face.
For casual settings, a V-neck jumper or an open collar opens the top of the chest.
Key Fabrics
Cloths that drape and do not cling are the easiest to wear: lightweight wools, cotton blends and fabrics with a little stretch.
A merino jumper in deep burgundy is comfortable and skims rather than clings.
Apple Body Shape Wardrobe Essentials
The list below is a starting point for a wardrobe built around comfort through the middle.
Scroll horizontally to see all columns →
| Category | Essential Clothes |
|---|---|
| Outerwear | Single-breasted blazers, long parkas, structured sport coats |
| Tops | V-neck jumpers, vertical striped shirts, longer-line shirts cut to wear untucked |
| Bottoms | Dark wash straight-leg jeans, trousers in a rise that stays comfortable, pleated or flat-front |
| Accessories | Patterned ties, watches, long scarves |
| Footwear | Oxford shoes, Chelsea boots, loafers |
Outerwear
A structured single-breasted blazer in navy worsted wool gives the shoulders definition and closes cleanly over the middle if it fits.
A long parka in a dark colour, such as forest green, gives a casual outfit a long line.
A textured sports coat in a subtle herringbone adds interest without bulk.
Tops
Fine merino V-neck jumpers in deep plum or charcoal open the top of the chest.
Vertically striped shirts in crisp cotton poplin, such as blue and white Bengal stripes, add a vertical pattern.
For casual wear, a shirt cut to be worn untucked, long enough to stay past the waistband when you reach, avoids a line at the waist.
Trousers
Dark wash straight-leg jeans are versatile.
Choose the rise by where the waistband stays comfortable on you, because rise labels vary between makers.
For formal occasions, flat-front and pleated wool trousers are both worth trying: pleats add room at the hip and thigh, and a generously cut flat front can do the same.
Chinos in navy or khaki, in a straight or slightly tapered fit, suit smart-casual events.
Accessories
Silk twill ties with vertical designs add colour near the face.
A watch is a personal choice; try the case size on your own wrist.
Long scarves in light fabrics add a vertical line in cooler weather.
Footwear
Polished black leather Oxfords are the classic formal choice.
Dark brown suede Chelsea boots suit smart casual outfits.
Loafers with a slightly thicker sole give a casual outfit more weight at the foot, which some men like.
Apple Body Shape Outfit Ideas by Occasion
Here are three outfits that apply the ideas above.
Each is a suggestion to adapt, not a formula.
Business Outfits
Start with a charcoal grey single-breasted suit in a subtle pinstripe.
The stripe adds a vertical line, and structured shoulders give the upper body a clearer outline; compare the effect in a mirror.
Pair it with a light blue dress shirt with a moderate spread collar; judge the collar against your own face and neck.
Add a deep burgundy silk tie with a small geometric pattern.
Finish with black cap-toe Oxfords, a silver tie clip and a simple white pocket square.
Weekend Outfits
Begin with a navy cotton V-neck jumper over a light grey T-shirt.
Pair it with straight-leg khaki chinos, worn where the waistband stays comfortable standing and seated.
Add a lightweight navy bomber jacket with minimal detailing, and check that it closes without pulling.
Wear brown suede desert boots, a woven leather belt in a matching brown and a simple silver watch.
Dinner Outfits
Wear a lightweight navy blazer in a textured linen-cotton blend.
Pair it with a pale pink dress shirt with the top two buttons undone and well-fitting trousers in light grey tropical wool.
The dark jacket and lighter trousers break the outfit into two blocks of colour, which some men like and others do not; a darker trouser is the alternative.
Step into brown leather loafers and add a patterned pocket square in pink and blue and a slim rose-gold watch.
Dressing Apple/Oval Body Shape by Seasons
The same ideas carry through the year with different cloths.
Oval Body Shape Outfit for Spring
Lightweight blazers in cotton-linen blends give structure without much bulk.
Pair them with pastel Oxford shirts and neutral chinos, or wear a Harrington jacket for a casual outfit with some structure on top.
A polo with a vertical stripe is another option.
Oval Body Shape Outfit for Summer
Choose breathable fabrics that do not cling.
Wear linen or seersucker shirts with straight-leg shorts that end just above the knee.
A Cuban collar shirt in a bold print puts the pattern on the upper body and near the face; if you would rather not draw the eye to the middle, check how the print sits there.
For the beach, swim shorts with a small pattern and a rash guard for sun protection are one combination.
Oval Body Shape Outfit for Autumn
Autumn suits layering.
Try a lightweight merino roll-neck under a tweed sports jacket with subtle shoulder padding; under a jacket, a roll-neck gives a clean line at the neck.
Add a long scarf.
Dark-wash jeans or moleskin trousers in earth tones complete the outfit.
Oval Body Shape Outfit for Winter
A single-breasted wool overcoat that ends mid-thigh gives a winter outfit structure and length.
Layer V-neck jumpers and cardigans with straight-leg corduroy trousers or dark denim.
Add leather gloves and a cashmere scarf, worn long if you want a vertical line.
Apple/Oval Body Shape Do’s and Don’ts
The table assumes you want a continuous line through the middle.
If you do not, treat the right-hand column as information about each choice rather than a list of mistakes.
Scroll horizontally to see all columns →
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Compare vertical stripes and patterns in a mirror | Put horizontal stripes or large, busy patterns across the middle by accident; they can draw the eye there |
| Try V-necks and open collars | Rule out roll-necks; under a jacket they work well |
| Choose single-breasted jackets and coats as an easy default | Buy a double-breasted or belted jacket without trying it fastened; the overlap or belt adds cloth or a line at the middle |
| Use darker colours for jackets, coats and trousers if you want the middle quiet | Assume light colours are wrong; they tend to give the middle more emphasis |
| Wear straight-leg or slightly tapered trousers | Choose trousers so tight they pull, or so loose they bunch unintentionally |
| Use open layers to create vertical lines | Expect a bulky, chunky knit to skim; it adds volume, which you may or may not want |
| Choose the rise by where the waistband stays comfortable | Pick a low rise without checking whether it rolls or pinches under a fuller abdomen |
| Accessorise with long scarves and ties | Wear a large, contrasting belt buckle if you would rather not mark the middle |
Dressing an oval outline comes down to room through the middle first, then the line and emphasis you prefer.
Use the ideas here as options, keep what works on you, and ignore what does not suit your taste.
All 7 Male Body Shapes and Their Attributes
In the 1940s, the American psychologist William Sheldon popularised a somatotype classification with three types: ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph.
Somatotypes describe overall build, while styling vocabulary describes the outline and proportions that clothes have to fit.
The VOU uses the following seven body shapes.
Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, Trapezoid and Hourglass follow familiar styling usage; Oval and Diamond are described in The VOU’s own words.
- Oval Body Shape, the subject of this guide, also known as Apple Shape, Round, O-Shape or Circular. In this guide, a rounded fuller-middle outline, with the fullness spread fairly generally through the torso.
- Diamond Body Shape, also known as Spade, Teardrop or Wedge Reversed. In this guide, an outline whose middle stands out more distinctly between a comparatively narrower upper and lower torso.
- Hourglass Body Shape, also known as X-Shape, Figure 8 or Wasp. Shoulders and hips look broadly balanced, with a visibly more defined waist between them.
- Trapezoid Body Shape, also known as Rhomboid or Regular. Shoulders look a little wider than the hips, with a gentle taper.
- Triangle Body Shape, also known as Pear Shape, Bell, A-Shape or Spoon. The lower torso and hip outline looks broader than the shoulders.
- Inverted Triangle Body Shape, also known as V-shape or Wedge. The shoulder and upper-torso outline looks noticeably broader than the hips.
- Rectangle Body Shape, also known as Straight Shape, Banana, Column or H-Shape. Little visible taper through the shoulders, torso and hips.
Style Like a True Gentleman
Before we say goodbye, fit does most of the work, whether or not you ever work with image consultants.
Professional styling starts with getting the fit right and choosing clothes that suit the occasion; knowing your body shape and seasonal colour palette can make the choosing quicker.
Our guides also cover styling by occasion, location, season and time of day, garments, footwear, accessories and heritage fashion brands.
Take our three quizzes, then book a consultation if you would like personal help:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments suit different silhouettes.
To compare your outline with the seven body shape descriptions, take our body shape quiz for men.
2. Find Your Seasonal Colours
The garments in your outfits come in many colours.
To see which seasonal colour palette may suit you, take our seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Fashion Style
To explore your personal fashion style, take our fashion style quiz for men; it suggests styles, outfit ideas and brands to explore.
Book a Consultation with The VOU
For personal help, you can book paid consultations with our image consultants and fashion stylists.
Our styling services for men page lists the paid consultations.
Wearing luxury brands is not enough on its own; how your clothes fit and suit the occasion matters more, and our personal style guide covers the rest.
For more on labels, see our guide to logo-heavy luxury brands and how to wear them.
Contact us if you would like to book a consultation.