How to Style if You’re a True/Cool Summer Man With an Oval Body Shape

As a successful man seeking to showcase confidence, trust, and social status, your styling must be personal and super specific, according to your unique body shape and your seasonal colour palette.

If you are unsure of your body shape or your exact seasonal colour palette, take our free quizzes, created by our professional image consultants:

• • Free Body Shape Quiz for Men
  • Free Seasonal Colour Analysis for Men

But as you’re already here, you must have an oval body shape and a True/Cool Summer colour palette, which presents specific styling opportunities to create an elegant, refined appearance.

Your combination offers the advantage of a frame that responds well to structured garments and vertical lines.

The cool, muted colours of your seasonal palette complement it to create a sophisticated appearance that conveys authority and confidence.

In this comprehensive styling guide, you’ll learn how to create slimming, elongating effects for your oval shape using your natural cool colouring to design flattering outfits that showcase power, trust, and social status.

Quick Styling Guide

Oval Body Characteristics

As a gentleman with an oval body shape, your physique exhibits several distinctive features that require thoughtful styling strategies.

Your midsection carries more weight than your shoulders and hips, creating a rounded silhouette through your torso.

This central weight distribution means conventional garments often fit less comfortably around your waist while potentially being loose at the shoulders and hips.

Your shoulders are typically narrower or similar in width to your midsection, with proportionally slimmer legs and arms.

Your styling objective is to create vertical lines that elongate your silhouette while drawing attention to your face and shoulders rather than your midsection.

Without significant definition between your chest and waist, your torso benefits from structured garments that create shape and vertical emphasis.

The smoothness of your silhouette allows for strategic use of tailoring and colour to create more definition and balance.

Unlike the other 5 body shapes for men (triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle, trapezoid, and hourglass), your primary focus is creating vertical lines and structure while drawing attention away from your midsection and toward your face and shoulders.

True/Cool Summer Colours

Your True/Cool Summer palette features the summer family’s purest cool colours, characterised by their muted, gentle quality.

These colours are muted and slightly greyed out with blue-based undertones rather than yellow or orange; instead, they feature cool, blue-leaning qualities.

This creates a calm, refined palette that naturally harmonizes with your skin tone, hair, and eye colour, which share these same cool, muted characteristics.

Your ideal clothing, footwear, and accessories colours should have these distinctive characteristics:

– Softened, muted quality that appears slightly greyed
– Medium intensity without appearing overly bright
– Cool undertones without any hint of warmth
– Gentle, serene appearance that creates harmony
– Sufficient depth in darker tones to create slimming effects

When selecting clothing for your oval body shape, these cool, muted colours like soft navy (#3A5B83), blue-grey (#6699CC), and steel blue (#4682B4) create refined, polished outfits that visually slim your silhouette through their depth and coolness.

Unlike warm or bright colours that draw attention to your midsection, these True Summer shades create a streamlined, cohesive appearance.

At the same time, their unified cool undertones ensure your overall look remains harmoniously coordinated and sophisticated.

Wardrobe Essentials

Base Layers

Your base layers form the foundation of every outfit and should be selected to create smooth, elongating lines.

Choose undershirts in soft white (#F5F5F5) or powder blue (#B0E0E6) with sufficient length to prevent riding up, ensuring they sit flat against your torso without bunching.

Select fabrics with 5-8% elastane content that provide gentle compression without constriction.

For thermal layers, choose fine-gauge merino wool in blue-grey (#6699CC) or cool taupe (#8B8589), which provides warmth without adding visual bulk.

Each base layer should feature V-necks or open collars where possible to create elongating lines from chest to face.

Shirts and Tops

The design and proportions of your shirts play a crucial role in creating vertical emphasis and drawing attention upward.

Your dress shirts require spread collars measuring 7.5-8cm in height to frame your face and create a balanced proportion with your build.

Shoulder seams should align precisely with your natural shoulder line, avoiding excess fabric that creates width.

Select shirts with vertical detailing such as fine pinstripes, subtle placket reinforcement, or vertical seam details.

The fit should skim your body without clinging, with 4-6cm of ease at the fullest part of your torso.

Soft white (#F5F5F5) and powder blue (#B0E0E6) serve as your foundation colours, complemented by lavender grey (#CCC1D9) and cool mint (#98D8C8) for variation.

Focus on creating smooth, vertical lines through proper fit and design details rather than relying on overly loose or tight garments.

Trousers

Your trousers should enhance your leg line while providing comfort through your midsection.

The leg opening should measure 20-22cm to create a straight line from hip to ankle, avoiding both skinny and wide-leg extremes. A mid-rise cut, sitting 2-3cm below your natural waist, will provide the most flattering proportion while ensuring comfort.

For formal occasions, choose soft navy (#3A5B83) and blue-grey (#6699CC) in quality wool with minimal break at the shoe.

For casual wear, cool taupe (#8B8589) and soft plum (#8E4585) provide sophisticated options with similar slimming effects.

Jackets and Outerwear

Your outerwear is crucial in creating structure and vertical lines that enhance your silhouette.

Each jacket requires structured shoulders with moderate padding to create definition and draw attention upward.

Choose single-breasted closures with notch lapels measuring 8-8.5cm to create elongating V-lines from chest to shoulders.

The jacket length should extend to the lower hip, covering your midsection while creating a streamlined appearance. Select jackets with subtle vertical details like pinstripes, seaming, or vertically oriented pockets.

Soft navy (#3A5B83) serves as your foundation colour for formal jackets, complemented by blue-grey (#6699CC) and steel blue (#4682B4) for versatile options.

Each piece should be tailored with just enough room to move comfortably without excess fabric that creates bulk.

Footwear

Your footwear should create balanced proportions while maintaining refinement.

Each shoe should feature moderate structure with clean lines. For formal occasions, select soft navy (#3A5B83) or blue-grey (#6699CC) Oxford shoes in polished leather with sleek proportions.

Your casual rotation should include cool taupe (#8B8589) suede loafers and steel blue (#4682B4) or soft white (#F5F5F5) leather trainers with clean designs that create cohesion without drawing excessive attention.

Accessories

Your accessories should draw attention upward while creating vertical emphasis.

Belts

Formal belts require a 3-3.5cm width in soft navy (#3A5B83) or cool taupe (#8B8589) leather with minimal buckles that blend seamlessly with your trousers rather than creating a horizontal break at your midsection.

Watches

Your watch should feature a 40-42mm case diameter in silver or white gold metals, paired with blue, grey, or white dials.

Select watches with clean designs and moderate proportions that complement your wrist without creating excessive bulk.

Neckwear

Neckwear creates crucial vertical lines and draws attention upward, with ties measuring 7.5-8.5cm in width to create suitable proportion with your build.

Select steel blue (#4682B4), soft plum (#8E4585), and periwinkle (#CCCCFF) in subtle patterns or solids with vertical emphasis.

Pocket Squares

Pocket squares in rose pink (#E8ADAA) or powder blue (#B0E0E6) add refined detail near your face.

Fold them with precision using the Presidential (square) or one-point fold to create clean lines rather than excessive volume.

Your Ideal Outfits – 3 Ideas for Each Season

3 Spring Outfit Ideas

Casual Outfit Idea

For spring weekends, begin with straight-leg chinos in cool taupe (#8B8589) that create a clean line from hip to ankle.

Layer a soft white V-neck t-shirt (#F5F5F5) beneath an unstructured steel blue cardigan (#4682B4) with vertical details to create elongating lines through your torso.

Complete with navy suede loafers and a matching belt that blend seamlessly with your outfit.

A silver watch with a blue dial adds sophisticated detail without creating horizontal emphasis.

Business Outfit Idea

Your spring business attire centres on a soft navy single-breasted suit (#3A5B83) with structured shoulders and clean lines.

The powder blue dress shirt (#B0E0E6) beneath creates a harmonious palette, while a periwinkle silk tie (#CCCCFF) with subtle vertical texture adds controlled colour near your face.

Navy leather Oxford shoes ground the ensemble with formal propriety, while a rose pink pocket square (#E8ADAA) adds a touch of controlled contrast near your face.

A silver watch with a grey dial completes this authoritative yet seasonally appropriate ensemble.

Formal Outfit Idea

Spring formal occasions call for a single-breasted dinner jacket in soft navy (#3A5B83) with structured shoulders and refined lapels.

The soft white formal shirt (#F5F5F5) creates a crisp foundation, while a steel blue silk bow tie adds controlled colour near your face.

Patent leather Oxfords in navy ground the outfit with formal propriety.

Silver and mother-of-pearl cufflinks add luminosity near your hands, drawing attention to your extremities rather than your midsection.

3 Summer Outfit Ideas

Casual Outfit Idea

Summer weekends require straight-leg linen trousers in cool taupe (#8B8589) that provide comfort while maintaining a clean line.

A powder blue polo shirt (#B0E0E6) with a structured collar creates vertical emphasis through its placket, while the fabric skims rather than clings to your torso.

Complete with navy suede loafers and a matching narrow belt that create cohesion without horizontal emphasis.

Silver aviator sunglasses and a stainless steel watch complete this refined summer casual look with attention-drawing details near your face.

Business Outfit Idea

Summer business calls for a tropical wool suit in blue-grey (#6699CC) with structured shoulders and clean trouser lines.

A soft white cotton-poplin shirt provides crisp contrast, paired with a soft plum silk tie (#8E4585) featuring subtle vertical texture.

Navy leather loafers and a matching belt ground the ensemble with appropriate formality.

A silver mesh watch and powder blue pocket square complete your summer business aesthetic with subtle sophistication near your face and wrists.

Formal Outfit Idea

Formal summer occasions warrant a dinner suit in soft navy (#3A5B83), featuring structured shoulders and refined proportions.

The formal shirt in soft white adds crisp elegance, accompanied by a steel blue silk bow tie that draws attention to your face.

Mother-of-pearl and silver studs contribute luminous detail along the vertical line of your shirt front.

Patent leather shoes in navy maintain formal propriety without creating significant contrast with your trousers.

3 Autumn Outfit Ideas

Casual Outfit Idea

Your autumn weekend attire features straight-leg jeans in a dark wash, their clean lines creating a smooth silhouette through your lower half.

Layer a soft white Oxford shirt (#F5F5F5) beneath a zip-front cardigan in steel blue (#4682B4), creating a slimming vertical line through your torso.

Complete with navy suede Chelsea boots and a matching belt that create cohesion without horizontal breaks.

A silver chronograph watch and blue-grey lambswool scarf draped vertically add refined detail while enhancing your vertical lines.

Business Outfit Idea

Autumn business demands a flannel suit in soft navy (#3A5B83) with structured shoulders and clean trouser lines.

The powder blue shirt creates palette harmony, while a periwinkle silk tie (#CCCCFF) with subtle vertical pattern introduces controlled colour near your face.

Navy Oxford shoes and a matching leather belt ground the ensemble with appropriate formality.

A silver watch with blue dial and rose pink pocket square add precise detail and controlled colour near your face rather than your midsection.

Formal Outfit Idea

Evening functions require a velvet dinner jacket in soft navy (#3A5B83) with structured shoulders and single-breasted closure. Its texture adds depth while its cut creates elongating lines.

Navy formal trousers maintain a consistent colour story through your lower half, while the soft white formal shirt provides a crisp foundation.

A steel blue silk bow tie draws attention upward to your face, while patent leather Oxfords in navy ensure formal propriety.

Silver and mother-of-pearl dress sets complete this refined evening ensemble with luminous detail at your cuffs and shirt front.

3 Winter Outfit Ideas

Casual Outfit Idea

Winter weekends begin with flannel trousers in cool taupe (#8B8589), their weight providing seasonal warmth without excessive volume.

Layer a soft white turtleneck (#F5F5F5) beneath a single-breasted topcoat in blue-grey (#6699CC), both garments creating clean, vertical lines through your silhouette.

Navy leather Chelsea boots provide substantial grounding while maintaining a streamlined appearance.

A silver watch with a grey dial and steel blue cashmere scarf draped vertically complete this sophisticated winter casual look.

Business Outfit Idea

Winter business centres on a flannel suit in blue-grey (#6699CC), its structured shoulders and clean lines creating a refined silhouette.

A soft white twill shirt provides crisp contrast, paired with a soft plum silk tie (#8E4585) featuring a subtle vertical pattern.

Navy Oxford shoes and a matching belt ground the outfit with formal authority.

A silver watch with blue dial and powder blue pocket square add precise detail and controlled colour near your face.

Formal Outfit Idea

Winter formal occasions demand a velvet dinner jacket in soft navy (#3A5B83) with structured shoulders and refined proportions.

Navy formal trousers create a consistent colour story through your lower half, while the soft white formal shirt provides crisp foundation.

A steel blue silk bow tie creates a focal point near your face, while patent leather Oxfords ensure formal propriety.

Silver and mother-of-pearl dress sets complete this refined winter evening ensemble with subtle luminosity along vertical lines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Seasonal Colour Pitfalls

Your True/Cool Summer palette demands consistently cool, muted tones in every colour choice.

The most frequent error occurs when selecting warm-toned navy suits and blazers rather than the soft navy (#3A5B83) your palette requires.

These warm undertones clash with your natural colouring and create a disharmonious appearance.

The second critical error involves choosing bright versions of your palette colours. Your palette requires muted, slightly greyed tones to maintain harmony.

Bright colours create harsh contrast against your naturally soft colouring and draw unwanted attention to your midsection.

Selecting warm neutrals presents another common mistake. Your palette requires cool neutrals like blue-grey and cool taupe.

Replace any warm browns with cool taupe (#8B8589), swap golden neutrals for silver or blue-grey (#6699CC), and eliminate warm creams in favour of soft white (#F5F5F5).

Body Shape Mistakes

Your oval frame demands strategic vertical emphasis and structured garments.

The fundamental error lies in choosing horizontal patterns or details that widen your silhouette.

Your proportions require vertical emphasis through pinstripes, vertical seaming, and elongating design elements.

Select garments with intentional vertical structure while avoiding horizontal stripes, colour blocking, or patterns that create visual width.

Another critical consideration involves garment fit. Both overly tight and excessively loose garments emphasize your midsection in different ways.

Tight clothing reveals contours you may prefer to smooth, while baggy clothing adds unnecessary volume. Maintain a moderate fit that skims your body without either clinging or billowing.

The temptation to hide under dark, shapeless layers creates another common mistake. Your frame requires structure and definition rather than concealment.

Focus on well-tailored garments in your darker palette colours that create shape through proper construction rather than attempting to hide your silhouette entirely.

Combined Challenges

The interaction between your body shape and seasonal colours creates specific challenges.

Wearing your lighter palette colours exclusively or predominantly on your midsection draws attention to this area.

Distribute your palette strategically, using darker tones like soft navy (#3A5B83) and blue-grey (#6699CC) for your larger garments while reserving lighter tones like powder blue (#B0E0E6) and rose pink (#E8ADAA) for accessories near your face.

Layering presents another potential challenge. Excessive or bulky layers can add unwanted volume to your midsection.

Create refined layering with thin, structured pieces that maintain your silhouette’s clean lines while providing visual interest through colour and texture within your palette.

Accessories require careful placement. Large or attention-drawing accessories placed at your midsection create focal points where you may prefer to minimize attention.

Position your most distinctive accessories near your face, shoulders, or wrists to draw the eye away from your central silhouette.

Formal Wear Errors

Evening wear demands particular attention to proportion and structure. The traditional double-breasted dinner jacket immediately creates horizontal emphasis that widens your silhouette despite its formal appropriateness.

Select single-breasted models with structured shoulders and longer lines that create vertical emphasis while maintaining formality.

Excessive contrast between jacket and trousers creates another frequent mistake, creating a harsh horizontal break at your midsection.

Select dinner suits with minimal contrast between jacket and trousers, or opt for the refined elegance of a matched dinner suit in soft navy that creates a streamlined silhouette.

Formal accessories require strategic placement. Traditional cummerbunds create horizontal emphasis exactly where you may prefer to minimize attention.

Choose refined alternatives like suspenders beneath your jacket or rely on a well-tailored waistband that sits comfortably without additional accessories at your waistline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I adapt my wardrobe for professional environments that expect traditional dark suits?

Select suits in soft navy rather than black, focusing on single-breasted closures with structured shoulders and clean lines that create vertical emphasis.

Add personality through True Summer accessories positioned near your face, keeping them refined and proportional.

Your powder blue shirts and periwinkle ties create appropriate impact while honouring your seasonal palette and drawing attention upward.

What modifications should I request from my tailor?

Instruct your tailor to create structured shoulders with moderate padding, ensure jackets have sufficient length to cover your midsection, and create clean trouser lines without excess fabric.

Request subtle waist suppression that creates shape without constriction, and ensure all vertical elements like seams and darts are precisely aligned to create elongating lines.

These adjustments create a refined silhouette that enhances your natural physique.

How do I incorporate trends while maintaining my style principles?

Evaluate trends through your combined requirements. Adopt those that create vertical emphasis and align with your cool, muted palette.

Incorporate trending colours only when they match your seasonal swatches, and select trending cuts only when they contribute to creating vertical lines rather than horizontal emphasis.

Focus on trend elements that appear near your face rather than your midsection.

Which accessories provide the most impact for my combination?

Focus on accessories that draw attention upward and create vertical lines. Sophisticated ties with subtle vertical patterns in periwinkle or soft plum, pocket squares in powder blue or rose pink, and silver watches create refined focal points away from your midsection.

Select accessories with moderate scale and cool, muted colours that maintain harmony with your palette while creating strategic interest points throughout your outfit.

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 – the first styling assessment is on us!