Anyone who is lean and muscular knows how challenging it can be to dress smart-casual in a way that looks effortlessly stylish.
Fortunately, there are guidelines you can follow to always present your best self, and we are privileged to bring you style advice from Marco Baldassari, co-founder of the prestigious Italian fashion house Eleventy Milano.
1. Cultivate a Stylish Mindset
A well-known rule for making a good impression is to dress one level above what’s required. This strategy helps you stand out and enhances all aspects of your life, including your workouts.
“When you see yourself in the mirror and appreciate your style, your mindset changes positively. You feel modern, cool, and comfortable,” explains Marco Baldassari. “This confident mindset recharges your body and gives you more energy to tackle the challenges of the day.”
This positive mindset is crucial for developing a healthy body, and it starts with improving your dress sense. When you look good, you feel good, and you train stronger.
2. Fit Guys Don’t Always Fit Clothes
Thin individuals may prefer suit jackets that make them look wider, bigger, and more powerful. Conversely, those with naturally broad shoulders might find padded jackets comical.
Fortunately, you can have the best of both worlds. “When people work hard to take care of their bodies, they can choose fitted and tailored garments that accentuate their hard work,” says Baldassari. “We appreciate both approaches, but we focus on making garments that are more tailored to fit the body perfectly, with shape and comfort for movement.”
Don’t just take his word for it. Brian Mazza, a fitness model and businessman, says, “Eleventy Milano has eliminated the struggle of buying off-the-rack clothes. Their tailored silhouette and soft shoulders are especially good if you have larger shoulders from lifting.”
3. You’re More Than Just Workout Gear
Your lifestyle demands a blend of athletic and casual aesthetics. Luckily, you can create a visual style that combines the best of both worlds.
“Taking care of yourself not only makes you feel good but also puts you in the best position to improve other areas of your life,” says Baldassari. “Casual style is trending right now, which means you can wear sporty and technical clothes to the gym and then continue wearing them after your workout. You will always look appropriate and feel good.”
“Since most athletes are used to wearing very slim outfits to work out, they can use that experience to transition to more tailored casual wear that is comfortable and offers a far better aesthetic.”
4. Sweat Management
Training sessions can happen at any time of the day, and you need to cool down your body afterwards to avoid embarrassing sweat patches.
“To combat this, I suggest wearing natural fabrics,” says Baldassari. “They offer more breathability, not only after a workout but throughout your busy days that involve gym sessions, work, family, and other activities.”
5. Details Make the Man
A typical training session requires accessories like a phone, earphones, fitness tracker, hat, towel, and water bottle. Apply a similar mindset when dressing in smart casual attire.
“I always try to educate my clients to wear an entire outfit where every detail coordinates perfectly, down to the smallest accessories like pocket squares, belts, or socks,” suggests Baldassari. Here are some prime examples:
- A pocket square adds a touch of elegance to your jacket.
- Using a backpack instead of a classic briefcase adds functionality and casual style.
- Wearing a suit with jogger trousers, a smart sneaker, and luxury knitwear creates a cool and youthful style.
When in doubt, follow the example of Brian Mazza, who excels at looking dapper whether he’s at the gym or in the boardroom. He recommends sticking with a versatile and sophisticated fashion brand like Eleventy Milano.
“I wear my Eleventy Milano down vest every single day. It’s super lightweight and fits perfectly. I wear it to the gym or to a meeting,” says Mazza. “I also have an amazing double-breasted sport coat that can be worn casually with a T-shirt or formally for business. It’s wise to stick with a multifaceted fashion brand that leaves you feeling confident.”
If you want to level up all aspects of your life, follow these golden rules to ensure your performance and stylish appearance always turn heads.