What to Wear if You’re a Skinny Guy (Outfit Tips & Style Advice)

As a skinny guy, it can be hard to find then right clothes to wear. If you’ve ever tried on clothes only to find that you look lanky and even skinnier, you’re not alone!

Even if you want to gain weight, the reality is this can be a struggle. We don’t have much control over our body type and frame, so the best thing that we can do is find the best outfits to wear as a skinny guy.

The good news is that there are many trendy styles and brands that are look great on thin guys. These clothes will make you look bigger and stronger.

This post includes practical tips and advice for what to wear if you’re a skinny guy, as well as:

  • 5 outfit ideas for skinny guys
  • Style do’s & don’ts for skinny guys
  • How to layer clothes for skinny guys

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5 Outfits for Skinny Guys

1. Daily Outfit

Wardrobe Essentials

When it comes to put together your daily outfits, you’ll need some wardrobe essentials. These wardrobe basics are perfect for everyday activities like going to school, work, or running errands.

Tops

Wardrobe essentials for a skinny guy include tops like hoodies, long-sleeve sweaters, and jackets. Whenever possible, you’ll want to layer your outfit.

Layering your outfit will add broadness to your upper body, make you look bigger and more stylish.

Pants

Wearing jeans, joggers, or athleisure sweatpants is an excellent choice for bottoms. When buying your pants, consider a neutral color pair or pants. This way, they will be easier to wear with multiple different outfits.

When choosing a color, consider grey, tan and beige as your legs will look bigger. Avoid dark grey and navy if you have skinny legs.

Shoes

For daily shoes, a good pair of ConverseAdidas Stan Smiths, or Nike Air Force 1s should do the trick. These shoes are all comfortable, durable, and affordable, which makes the perfect for daily wear.

These styles of sneakers look great on skinny men because they have a narrow fit. A narrow fitting shoe will make your body look more proportionate compared to a bulky sneaker.

2. Business Casual

Every guy needs a few business casual outfits. Business casual attire is great for work, school presentations, or nicer occasions.

Business casual is one of the styles that look best on skinny men. As a skinny guy, I love to wear business casual clothing because I can layer my outfits and balance my height and longer legs.

Tops

You’ll want to wear a polo shirtsweater, or a half-zip sweater for a business casual outfit. I like to wear half-zip sweaters because they make my arms, chest, and shoulders look broader.

Pants

Putting on a pair of slim-fit pants will make you look good and suit your slim body type perfectly. I like to wear plaid pants as they add character to my outfit. Patterns also make guys look less skinny, which is the look we’re going for.

However, there is nothing wrong with wearing a pair of black or blue jeans.

Dress Shoes

When it comes to a business casual outfit, pay attention to the shoes. You’ll want to buy a pair of dress shoes, chelsea boots or leather shoes to complete your look.

When shopping for shoes, it’s a good idea to choose a pair with a thin and narrow look.

If you’re looking for a new pair of shoes, check out this article: Best Shoes for Skinny Guys (plus styling tips)

3. Casual Outfit

If you’re a thin guy, it’s essential to have the proper clothing for casual occasions. Casual outfits are suitable when running errands, hanging out with friends, or grabbing a bite to eat.

A casual outfit mixes comfort, functionality, and style. Nowadays, most people dress casually daily because it’s more enjoyable and there is a lot of trendy casual clothing.

As a skinny guy, you can find plenty of casual clothes at stores like H&MUniqlo, and ZARA. They have a lot of slim-fit clothing that fits very nicely on a thin frame.

Tops

For a casual outfit, you will want to wear a graphic t-shirt, plain t-shirt, crewneck sweater, zip-up sweater, or hoodie. All these tops should fit nicely and give a broad look we all want.

Pants

A pair of shorts, joggers, sweatpants, or jeans are a good choice for the bottoms. I like to wear shorts on a hot day or sweatpants and joggers on a cold day.

Shoes

If you’re dressing casually, choosing a pair of shoes you feel comfortable wearing is paramount. There are plenty of good sneaker options. You can’t go wrong with a sportswear shoe like the New Balance 550, Adidas Ultraboost, or Nike Air Max.

4. Formal Outfit

Handsome Man

Formal outfits look amazing on skinny men, whether a suit, dress shirt, or dress pants. Formal occasions are your time to shine if you have a thin frame!

If you don’t already have a suit, you will want to get one that has a slim or skinny fit. These fits are the optimal styles for men with a thin body.

The Perfect Suit Fit for Thin Men

Another way you can get the perfect fit is by tailoring your suit. You will also want to wear a thin, narrow tie as it will look more proportional to your body.

If you want your upper body to look bigger, consider wearing an undershirt. An undershirt will make your arms and shoulders look bigger under your blazer.

You will want to buy a pair of dress shoes or loafers for your formal outfit. It’s best to get narrow-style shoes as they will look good with the slim-fit suit.

Related: 50 Genius Style Tips for Skinny Guys to Look More Attractive

5. Summer Outfit

As skinny guys, summer outfits can be tough, since we don’t have the biggest arms or legs. However, there are a few ways that you can make your thin legs and arms look their best.

Tops

First, you can start by wearing t-shirts that give your upper body a more muscular look. Crewneck t-shirts look good because they fit nicely around the neck and shoulder areas.

If you feel insecure about your arms, consider wearing a lightweight crewneck sweater. A crewneck sweater will cover your arms and give the illusion that you are bigger than you are.

Shorts

For many skinny guys, feeling confident in shorts can be challenging. However, a few styles of shorts will give your legs a more muscular look.

Wearing shorter shorts will create the illusion that your legs are more muscular and big. I’ve always had thin legs, but wearing short shorts makes me feel more confident and makes my legs look stronger.

Shoes

When it comes to footwear, you can wear any pair of running shoes, sneakers, or loafers. Since this is a summer outfit, don’t be afraid to wear vibrant colors!

Related: Gym Clothes For Skinny Guys ā€“ Complete Guide (Brands & Fits)

Do’s & Don’ts For Skinny Guys

If you’re a skinny guy, there are a few things that you can do to look less thin. There are also a few mistakes skinny guys make, which make them look even skinnier.

Here are the do’s and don’ts for skinny men:

Do’s for Skinny Guys

These are some few things that skinny guys can do to look less thin and more muscular.

Layer Your Outfits

Layering your outfits is the key to looking bigger as a skinny guy. You can layer your outfits with a jacket, blazer, sweater, cardigan, or hoodie.

Layering will make your upper body look more prominent, and you will look more fashionable.

Check out brands like ZARA, SHEIN, Uniqlo, H&M, North Face, or Banana Republic if you need clothing to layer your outfits. They have a wide variety of jackets, sweaters, and coats that look great on skinny guys.

Wear the Right Size

As a guy, I know that shopping can be boring! In fact many men will purchase clothing without even trying it on. However, it is essential to try on the clothes before you buy, or at home, to ensure that the clothing has the proper fit.

When shopping for clothing as a skinny guy, it’s important to have the perfect fit. As a thin man, you don’t want your clothes to be too tight or too baggy, as both won’t look right.

Finding the balance between too tight and oversized is essential.

Experiment with Structured Clothing

Wearing more structured clothing is a hack that skinny guys use to make their frame look bigger. This works especially well when it comes to formal attire, because many blazers have structured shoulders.

Experimenting with structured clothing is a good idea and a way to add mass to your frame. It can even work with a business casual look.

Try Different Fabrics and Materials

Trying out different materials and fabrics is an excellent way to add character to your outfits and look less thin. Thick fabrics like wool, canvas, and corduroy look awesome on a thin frame.

Whether it’s a jacket or pants, layering your outfits with thick materials and fabrics is a good idea.

Work on Your Posture

If you’re a skinny guy trying to look bigger, working on your posture is well worth it. Nowadays, many people need help with bad posture because we work on computers and spend a lot of time on our smartphones.

This means that we have to remind ourselves to have proper posture constantly. Standing up straight with your chest out and your shoulders back will make you look bigger and stronger.

Be Confident

As cliche as it may sound, confidence is critical!

Many people can tell whether someone is confident based on how they carry themselves. It’s important to have confidence in yourself as you will be seen as more attractive.

If you’re insecure about your thin frame, you must work on your confidence. By working out and dressing better, you will naturally improve your confidence.

Don’ts For Skinny Guys

Sitting in shorts and hat

Avoid Baggy Clothing

Right now, baggy clothing is fashionable. However, baggy clothing just doesn’t look great on skinny guys. Instead, try wearing fitted clothing, which just look better on men with a thin frame.

Slim fit and relaxed fit are styles that look way better on a thin guy, and they will create the illusion that you are bigger than you are.

Don’t Wear Tank Tops

Growing up skinny, the one thing I never owned was a tank top. Tanks tops are the single worse thing any skinny guy can wear. They will draw attention to your thin arms and shoulders, making you look lanky and even skinnier.

Avoid Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans are pants that don’t look good on skinny guys. Wearing skinny jeans will highlight your thin legs and make you look lanky.

Instead, try wearing a pair of a relaxed fit, slim fit, relaxed fit, or fitted jeans. You can also get your jeans and chino pants tailored to give them the perfect fit you want.

Don’t Wear V-Necks

As a skinny guy, v-neck t-shirts are some of the worst shirts you can wear. Not only are they not in style, but they will draw attention to your thin shoulders and neck.

Instead, consider purchasing a crewneck t-shirt, which will have a boxier look and fit nicely around your neck, chest, arms, and shoulders.

Avoid Large Accessories

One thing that all skinny guys should avoid is wearing large accessories. Large watches, chains, and bracelets will draw attention to your thin wrists or neck and make you look leaner.

Instead, accessorize your outfits with clothing that is proportional to your body. Purchasing the right-sized accessories will be a much more flattering look.

How to Layer Clothes For Skinny Guys

Layering clothing is essential to look bigger and more attractive as a skinny guy. When you layer your outfits, you will look more stylish and create the illusion that you are bigger than you are.

Many thin guys will layer their outfits because it is the best way to look like they have a more oversized frame. Here is how to layer clothes for skinny guys:

Your first layer should be a form fitting-layer. It’s best to start with a basic t-shirt that is comfortable and not too warm.

The next layer is thicker, adding mass and depth to your outfit. This layer should not be restrictive, as you want to be comfortable in your attire. You can wear a crewneck sweater, half-zip sweater, or hoodie.

You will want to wear a heavier piece that ties the first two layers together for your final layer. You can choose between a bomber jacket, trench coat, sherpa jacket, jean jacket, or winter coat.

How to Layer Clothes For Skinny Guys

Layering clothing is an essential part of looking bigger and more attractive as a skinny guy. When you layer your outfits, you will look more stylish and create the illusion that you are bigger than you are.

Many thin guys will layer their outfits because it is the best way to look like you have a bigger frame.

Here is how to layer clothes for skinny guys:

Your first layer should be a form fitting-layer. It’s best to start with a basic t-shirt that is comfortable and not too warm.

The next layer is thicker, which will add mass and depth to your outfit. This layer should not be restrictive as you want to be comfortable in your attire. You can wear a crewneck sweater, half-zip sweater or hoodie.

For your final layer, you are going to want to wear a heavier piece that ties the first two layers together. You can choose between a bomber jacket, trench coat, sherpa jacket, jean jacket or winter coat.

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Final Thoughts on What to Wear If You’re a Skinny Guy

As a skinny guy, there are many ways to look bigger. However, the most effective way to look bigger is by wearing clothing that suits your body type nicely. By trying different styles, you will quickly learn what attire looks best on you and what clothing will make you look bigger.

In this post, I shared outfit ideas for skinny guys, do’s and don’t for thin men, and how to layer clothes for slim guys.

One thought on “What to Wear if You’re a Skinny Guy (Outfit Tips & Style Advice)

  1. Boomer: Follows the rules
    X’er: Questions the rules
    Millennial: Hates the rules
    Z’er: CHANGES the rules šŸ™‚

    LOL – loving the fact that you used your own photo in the “Formal Outfit” section here and then went on to say: “Formal outfits look amazing on skinny men”! Ha, you really do look awesome tho, like in my opinion you are literally the perfect example – inside and out – of what Gen Z is all about. And yeah, you guys have totally revolutionized men’s fashion – your hairstyles, clothing, footwear, tech, and lifestyle – it all fits together so fascinatingly well. The Z’s have got it all !

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