You hit the gym. You carry yourself with confidence. But when it comes time to suit up?
Nothing fits right.
You’ve got the shoulders of a linebacker… and the frustration of a man constantly tugging at too-tight shirts, awkwardly flaring jackets, or baggy waists that ruin your silhouette.
Sound familiar?
If you’ve got broad shoulders, congratulations — you've already won the genetic lottery of presence and power. But now it’s time to learn how to dress that body in a way that amplifies your strengths and balances your proportions.
Let’s break it down — RMRS style.
The Fit Frustration: Why Off-the-Rack Fails Broad Men
Before we get tactical, let’s understand the problem.
Most mass-market clothing is cut for the “average” man. That means manufacturers assume a standard ratio between shoulder width, chest size, and waist. For men with broad shoulders, that formula breaks down fast:
- Shirts that fit in the shoulders billow at the waist.
- Jackets that fit the chest don’t taper enough through the torso.
- T-shirts stretch across your traps and sag everywhere else.
The result? You look bigger than you are — not stronger. Sloppy, not sharp.
Let me give you a real example. One of my coaching clients — ex-military, built like a tank — came to me frustrated. He had a closet full of expensive shirts… and hated wearing all of them.
Why?
Every single one pulled at the buttons across the chest, yet looked like a maternity smock below the ribcage. We took just four of those shirts to a good tailor, added darts and slight waist suppression, and suddenly he was getting compliments from strangers. Same guy, same shirts. Different fit.
The Perfect Fit Formula (For Broad-Shouldered Men)
This is the framework I teach men in our premium style course, and it boils down to four pillars:
1. Balance the Upper Body
Your shoulders are already commanding. You don’t need extra volume up top. You need balance.
Do:
- Wear structured pieces with clean lines (think tailored blazers, fitted polos, crisp dress shirts).
- Choose lighter fabrics with drape — not stiffness — to avoid adding bulk.
- Use vertical patterns like pinstripes or plackets to elongate and streamline your torso.
Avoid:
- Heavy shoulder padding or epaulettes that exaggerate width.
- Horizontal stripes or chest logos that widen your top half.
- Chunky knits or oversized lapels.
Style Case Study: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
The Rock is the perfect example of a man with extreme upper body mass who still manages to look sharp in a suit.
What’s his secret?
Tailoring. His stylists often use custom shirts with deep shoulder seams and dramatic tapering at the waist to balance his torso. Without that precision, he’d look like a refrigerator in a tux.
2. Taper the Midsection (Without Cling)
A great fit means following your natural shape — not squeezing into it. Look for garments that taper gently from the shoulders to the waist.
Do:
- Seek out athletic cut or tailored fit shirts and jackets.
- Consider darted shirts or have your shirts taken in by a tailor.
- Use layering (e.g., a lightweight vest or open jacket) to visually draw in the waist.
Avoid:
- Boxy cuts or straight-fitting garments.
- Super slim fits that pull across your chest and restrict movement.
- Overly long shirts that bunch at the hips.
Style Case Study: Chris Hemsworth
Thor isn’t just wielding hammers — he’s battling poor tailoring. Off-camera, Hemsworth has dealt with brands sending him designer gear that technically “fits” but never flatters.
When styled right, though, you’ll notice his shirts always taper perfectly into the waist, giving him a clean V-taper even when dressed casually.
3. Anchor With the Right Pants
Men with broad shoulders need a solid foundation to balance the upper body. That means paying attention to your lower half.
Do:
- Opt for straight or slightly tapered trousers (not skinny).
- Use textures and color in your pants to draw the eye downward.
- Maintain clean breaks — avoid stacking fabric at the ankles.
Avoid:
- Skinny jeans that make your upper body look top-heavy.
- Pleated pants that add unnecessary volume at the hips.
- Ultra-low-rise styles that disrupt your proportions.
Story from the Field
I once worked with a young entrepreneur who had a rugby background. Great shoulders, powerful build — but his go-to outfit was a muscle tee and skinny jeans. All wrong.
Once we swapped the tee for a structured polo and introduced straight-cut wool trousers with a slight taper, he looked instantly taller, leaner, and more sophisticated. Same man, same muscle — now balanced.
4. Know Where to Customize
The truth? You’re going to need some tailoring.
You don’t need a $5,000 custom wardrobe. But even a few simple alterations can take you from “makes do” to “made for you.”
High-impact tailoring moves:
- Take in the waist of your shirts and jackets.
- Shorten sleeves so they show proper cuff.
- Adjust trousers for a clean line and proper rise.
A shirt that fits your shoulders and your waist? That’s not a dream. That’s a tailor away.
Quick Visual Guidelines
Here’s a fast cheat sheet to guide your next try-on session:
- Jackets: Moderate lapel width, slight waist suppression, no shoulder padding.
- Shirts: Athletic fit, spread collar (helps balance the neck), minimal chest detailing.
- T-shirts: Raglan sleeves, heathered textures, structured cotton blends.
- Pants: Straight or slim-straight fit, darker tones, slight taper from knee to ankle.
What Broad Shoulders Say (And How to Dress the Message)
Remember — clothing is communication. Broad shoulders are inherently masculine. They signal strength, athleticism, and leadership.
But without intention, they can also come across as intimidating, unpolished, or imbalanced.
That’s why the goal of the Perfect Fit Formula isn’t to hide your shoulders — it’s to harness them. To build a wardrobe that says, “This man is strong, confident, and dialed in.”
And when your clothes speak that clearly… you don’t have to say a word.
Final Thought: Build, Then Tailor
If you take away one idea, let it be this:
Don’t settle for clothing made for the masses. Build your wardrobe around your body — not someone else’s.
Fit isn’t about squeezing into trends. It’s about commanding attention with subtle precision. That starts with understanding your proportions… and ends with making sure every piece fits like it was made for you.
Action Step: Audit Your Closet
This weekend, do a 10-minute audit of your closet. Try on your five most worn tops. Ask yourself:
- Does it fit in the shoulders and the waist?
- Does it add unnecessary bulk up top?
- Would tailoring solve the issue?
If three or more pieces fail the test — it’s time to upgrade your wardrobe strategy.
You've got the frame. Now dress it like a pro.
