Styling Hourglass Body Shape Men with True/Cool Summer Colours

The hourglass male physique achieves its fullest expression when paired with True/Cool Summer’s pure cool palette.

This sophisticated combination allows your balanced proportions to harmonize with the seasonal spectrum’s coolest and most refined colours.

Your symmetrical frame, defined by equal shoulder and hip measurements with a pronounced waist, provides an ideal foundation for True Summer’s cool, muted palette.

The pure coolness of these colours enhances your natural balance while maintaining a masculine presence.

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

Success with this combination requires understanding how True Summer’s cool undertones work with your balanced proportions, and in this guide, we’ll demonstrate the best applications across several kinds of occasions.

Your Quick Styling Guide

Your Body Shape Characteristics

The hourglass male physique presents specific measurement relationships that create defined styling opportunities.

Your shoulder circumference measures within 5cm of your hip width, while your waist shows a 20-25cm reduction from both chest and hip measurements.

This natural symmetry provides opportunities for the strategic deployment of True Summer’s cool palette.

The defined waist creates natural break points for colour placement, while balanced proportions allow for cohesive colour application throughout garments.

Unlike rectangular shapes that need colour to create definition or oval shapes requiring strategic placement for balance, your hourglass frame allows for a consistent colour application while maintaining proportion.

Your symmetrical framework means cool, refined colours can be applied evenly across garments without disrupting your natural proportions.

This harmonious relationship between the physical structure and the True Summer palette enables sophisticated colour application while maintaining a masculine presence.

True Summer Colours

The True Summer palette enhances the hourglass physique through pure coolness and refined clarity.

Your balanced proportions allow these cool, muted colours to emphasize your natural symmetry.

Wardrobe Essentials

Base Layers

Base layer construction requires precise engineering to enhance your proportions while showcasing the True Summer palette.

Undershirts require 95% cotton, 5% elastane blend, with a 13cm drop between chest and waist measurements. The hem must extend 15cm below your natural waist, ensuring coverage while maintaining a clean line.

Cool silver (#C0C0C0) and blue grey (#6699CC) establish your foundation colours. Each piece requires flatlock seams measuring 2mm to eliminate bulk at natural break points.

For cold weather, select 150g/m² merino wool with natural stretch characteristics, ensuring warmth without compromising your proportions.

Shirts and Tops

Shirt construction demands precise attention to maintain harmony between your balanced frame and cool palette.

Dress shirts require a medium spread collar measuring 7.5cm in height, with points positioned to frame your face. The shoulder seam must align with the acromion process, while chest-to-waist suppression measures exactly 22cm.

Side seams follow your natural line, utilizing single-needle construction at 3mm. French seams at shoulder points ensure clean lines without bulk.

Steel blue (#4682B4) and French blue (#0072BB) establish your core selection, complemented by rose mauve (#C71585) and cool grey (#708090) for controlled impact.

Casual shirts incorporate 15% additional ease through the body. Premium cotton Oxford weighing 180g/m² provides structure while ensuring breathability.

Trousers

Your balanced proportions demand precise trouser construction to maintain refinement while harmonizing with your cool palette.

Formal trousers require a mid-rise position exactly 2.5cm below your natural waist. The waistband measures 4.5cm with a curved construction following your natural line. Side adjusters provide 4cm of refinement while maintaining clean lines.

The leg line remains consistent, measuring 23cm at the knee and 22cm at the hem. This proportion creates balance while complementing your natural symmetry.

Cool charcoal (#36454F) and soft navy (#000080) establish your formal selection, with cool grey (#708090) and blue grey (#6699CC) offering refined casual options.

Casual trousers in cotton twill weighing 280g/m² provide structure while ensuring comfort. The waistband construction remains formal, with 2cm additional ease through the hip and thigh.

Jackets and Outerwear

Your outerwear collection requires precise engineering to showcase your balanced proportions while maintaining True Summer’s pure coolness.

Suit jackets demand natural shoulders with 2mm padding. Position the lapel gorge 10.5cm below the shoulder point, with the lapel measuring 8.5cm at its widest section.

The jacket length must terminate precisely at the seat point, providing balanced coverage while maintaining natural waist definition. A subtle 2.5cm waist suppression creates defined shaping.

Choose soft navy (#000080) for business, steel blue (#4682B4) for impact, and cool charcoal (#36454F) for casual wear. Each shade must maintain the pure coolness essential to your seasonal palette.

Casual outerwear follows similar principles with an additional 2.5cm of ease through chest and waist. Premium wool blends weighing 320g/m² provide structure while ensuring movement.

Footwear

Your footwear must provide balanced weight to complement your proportions.

Each shoe requires a 2.5cm heel height and substantial soles. Choose rounded or slightly squared toes, keeping decoration minimal.

For formal occasions, select polished leather in cool charcoal or marine blue.

Your casual rotation should include cool grey suede trainers and blue grey loafers, each providing the necessary sole weight to balance your frame.

Accessories

Belt

Belts must harmonise with your natural waist definition. Formal belts require 3.5cm width with subtle curve. The buckle should measure 3.8cm in width, finished in polished silver or white metal.

Casual styles may extend to 4cm, maintaining proportion while providing visual weight. Select cool charcoal or marine blue leather with a refined finish.

Watch

Watches should feature cases measuring 40-42mm in diameter, positioned 11mm high on the wrist. This proportion complements your balanced frame.

Select dials in steel blue or cool grey to showcase your seasonal palette. Bracelets must measure 22mm at the lugs, tapering to 18mm at the clasp.

Neckwear

Ties require precise proportions, measuring 8.2cm at their widest point. The blade length must extend exactly to your trouser waistband.

Select rose mauve (#C71585) and French blue (#0072BB) for controlled impact. Patterns should feature geometric motifs rather than organic designs.

Pocket Square

Cool grey (#708090) pocket squares provide refined accent points. The fold should create clean edges measuring 2.5cm above the pocket line.

Seasonal Outfit Ideas

Spring Outfits

Casual Outfit

Build your spring weekend attire on cool grey cotton trousers (#708090), cut with precise 22cm leg openings. A steel blue polo shirt (#4682B4), engineered with 22cm waist suppression, creates refined impact.

Complete with suede loafers in cool charcoal; their substantial soles provide grounding. A silver watch featuring a blue-grey dial adds refinement, while a woven leather belt in matching charcoal creates cohesion.

Business Outfit

For spring business, select a marine blue suit (#000080) featuring natural shoulders and considered waist definition. The French blue shirt (#0072BB) beneath creates controlled coolness, while a rose mauve silk tie adds a sophisticated accent.

Cool charcoal Oxford shoes ground the ensemble with authority. A matching leather portfolio and belt create cohesion, while a steel watch with a blue dial provides executive presence.

Formal Outfit

Spring evenings demand a cool charcoal dinner jacket with subtle waist suppression and precise shoulder construction.

Marine blue trousers provide balance, while a blue-grey formal shirt (#6699CC) adds controlled colour.

Patent leather Oxfords in marine blue provide formal grounding, complemented by mother-of-pearl and platinum dress sets.

Summer Outfits

Casual Outfit

Build your summer weekend attire on blue grey cotton trousers (#6699CC), their weight providing clean lines.

A steel blue linen shirt (#4682B4) creates impact through a precise fit that defines your waist.

Suede loafers in cool grey provide grounding, while a marine blue woven leather belt maintains refinement. Silver-framed aviators and a steel watch with cool grey dial complete the ensemble.

Business Outfit

Summer business demands a tropical wool suit in cool charcoal (#36454F), and its lightweight construction maintains your lines. Side seams create subtle waist emphasis.

A French blue cotton-poplin shirt provides the foundation, whilst a grey-blue silk tie introduces controlled coolness.

Marine blue suede Oxfords and matching accessories ground the look.

Formal Outfit

Summer evenings require a dinner suit in marine blue (#000080), featuring precise waist suppression.

The steel blue formal shirt introduces refined colour, complementing a matched bow tie and cummerbund set.

Mother-of-pearl and platinum dress sets provide detail, whilst patent leather shoes in cool charcoal maintain refinement.

Autumn Outfits

Casual Outfit

Anchor your autumn weekend with cool grey wool trousers. The French blue merino jumper (#0072BB) adds clarity while defining your waist through precise knit construction.

Suede Chelsea boots in marine blue create grounding and are matched with a refined leather belt. A steel chronograph featuring a blue-grey dial adds refinement.

Business Outfit

Autumn business centres on a wool twill suit in soft navy (#000080), its fabric providing texture. Strategic seam placement ensures waist definition.

The steel blue shirt beneath maintains a presence, whilst a cool purple silk tie introduces control. Cool charcoal Oxford shoes ground the ensemble with authority.

Formal Outfit

Autumn evenings demand a velvet dinner jacket in cool charcoal (#36454F), its texture adding depth.

Marine blue formal trousers create contrast, while French blue formal shirt adds controlled colour.

Winter Outfits

Casual Outfit

Structure winter weekends around flannel trousers in marine blue. A grey-blue cashmere jumper creates warmth through precise knit engineering.

Leather boots in cool charcoal add a grounding, complemented by matching leather accessories. Your steel watch features a French blue dial.

Business Outfit

Winter business requires a flannel suit in soft navy (#000080), constructed to maintain clean lines. Strategic seam placement ensures waist definition.

A steel blue twill shirt and a rose mauve silk tie provide the foundation. Cool charcoal Oxford shoes ground the ensemble with authority.

Formal Outfit

Winter formal occasions demand a velvet dinner jacket in marine blue, its texture complementing your seasonal clarity. Cool charcoal formal trousers create contrast.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Your True Summer palette demands pure coolness in execution. Common compromises include selecting blue suits with warm undertones rather than maintaining soft navy (#000080). These warmer tones diminish your natural coolness.

The hourglass frame requires precise garment engineering. Primary errors involve selecting clothes that obscure waist definition or create extreme tapering in trousers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I adapt these principles for professional environments?

Select suits in cool neutrals rather than black, focusing on fabric quality and precise fit. Add personality through True Summer accessories, keeping them refined and proportional.

What modifications should I request from my tailor?

Instruct your tailor to remove padding from jacket shoulders, adjust the back and waist for a clean line, and maintain straight leg widths in trousers.

How do I incorporate trends while maintaining my style principles?

Evaluate trends through your combined requirements. Adopt those that balance your frame and align with your cool palette.

What strategies work best for layering with True Summer colours?

Layer similar tones within your palette, use lighter shades near the face, and maintain consistent coolness throughout the outfit.

How can I maintain my cool palette in warm weather?

Select lightweight fabrics in your coolest neutrals, focus on texture rather than pattern, and use precise fit to maintain refinement despite lighter materials.

Conclusion

Combining hourglass proportions and True Summer colouring creates opportunities for refined expression through precise garment selection and colour application.

Success requires a commitment to both structural integrity and palette clarity. Each garment must maintain your natural definition while showcasing your seasonal colours’ pure coolness.

This disciplined approach guarantees a wardrobe that functions cohesively, each element working to present your unique attributes effectively.

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!