Fitness is the Best Style- Building Your Wardrobe Around Your Body

I have been lurking around these forums for a few days, and I felt compelled to post based on what I’ve been reading.  To preface this, I just want to say I am far from a fashion expert although I have recently begun to acquire sartorial tastes.

Oftentimes, I see someone wearing a $2K+ Suit yet are obviously 30%+ bodyfat.  When I see this, I just ask myself why?  Why spend the $$$ on a premium suit when you can look 10 times better with a $50 a month gym membership and a well-fitted $2-400 suit from J. Crew, Express, etc.    My point is that people often build their wardrobe with clothes as the starting point instead of what lies beneath the clothes.  Being fat actually says more about a person than what they are wearing. 

I am not saying that people need to be aspire for a body type like Arnold, Brad Pitt, or some NFL Athlete.  I am not advocating changing who you are… if you are short, you will always short.  If you have a big frame, you will always have a big frame.  But I AM advocating that you should be fit.  Clothes are only as good as the confidence you carry with it, and no super 120 made in Italy whatever stuff will change that.  I myself am not some super athlete.  I’m 5’9”, 45” chest, 36” waist, with ~16% BF.   But, I am reasonably fit, and can confidently wear clothes no matter the brand, fabric, etc.  so long as they look good to ME, and are well-fitted. 

Bottom line, if you are fat and considering indulging in buying a new wardrobe, you should first seriously consider hitting the gym.  The $2K suit is not a Superman cape, and it will not make you look or feel as good as being fit and healthy.  Tailor your wardrobe with your body as the starting point.  Aim to achieve a level of fitness that will give you the confidence to wear anything, from $200 Express Suits to $2,000 Canali.  I think one story that really stuck out was Barron from Effortless Gent.  He was once a really fat guy who bought expensive clothes.  It wasn’t until he actually became fit that he was able to become a style guru and was able to take risks and be the person he probably truly was.  For example, I think the guy is a big fan of Bonobos (not exactly SF approved) and not that expensive either!  Dappered is another great one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum 


Except a '$50 gym membership' doesn't get you in shape, it's the hundreds of hours you put in at the gym which do that. To some people those hours are better spent doing other things, such as doing the stuff that earns the money to buy $2000 suits.

My point is, your fitness and  diet is within your control and it should be the starting point for a wardrobe.   I see it a lot like investing, you don't throw good money after bad, but instead fix the original problem as best you can.  To better illustrate, let's look at the popular BCG Growth-Share Matrix (http://www.netmba.com/images/strategy/matrix/bcg/growthshare.gif).  Think of each aspect of your appearance as interrelated business units, and you will understand what I am trying to illustrate.  Like I said, I'm not saying everybody should shoot for elite-fitness status, but rather simple fitness goals.  Like "Dunknow" said, it as simple as a few simple life choices (i.e. low-carb, vegetarian, etc), and a little bit of exercise (hell, you can do 30 minutes of cardio a day and you'll be in better shape than 90% of America).