We know it’s a silly statement, but it’s the truth: dressing nice when you’re jacked is hard. (Yeah, yeah: Waiter, my steak is too juicy and my lobster is too buttery! Whatever.) If you’re currently yoked, or in the process of it, clothes can look funny. Too tight some places, too loose in others. A disaster.
But don’t freak, just look at Callum Turner. On the set of his latest film One Night Only, Turner laid the blueprint for the perfect nice outfit for bulky guys: a silky knit polo, a straight-leg trouser, and a nice shoe.
The fit of the polo is key. Turner is doing a great job. It should fit snug across the chest, but have a little give as it goes down to the hem. This means it looks like it fits well and defines the shoulders and back, but it’s not skintight in that uncomfortable clinging way that looks like you’ve gone two sizes down. (Plus, the elasticated hem means it defines the waist. It’s the same rule for sweatshirts. Respect the hem, respect the shape.)
Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin
Then: the arms. Here’s the thing. If you’re going to bust out of any part of your clothing, it should be the arms. When the gains are gaining, going super tight over the abs, quads or calves can just make your clothes look poorly fitted. But there’s this unspoken rule about a tight sleeve hem – especially in short sleeves – where a little bicep busting out just looks, well, hot! Just know that an elasticated hem on the sleeves is crucial here to make it pop.
The rest of the fit brings it home: a looser trouser that doesn’t cling lets the guns steal the show. A strong shoe – Callum Turner’s gone for a brown boot – is the right full stop on it. This is a fit that has all sorts of legs: for date night, for a high-stakes presentation, or just when you want to look built but don’t want to make a big deal out of it.
Just don’t skip arm day. Your polo shirt flex depends on it.
Percival
Addendum polo shirt
Percival
Percival knit polo
