Finding the perfect suit cut for an oval body shape often proves challenging when aiming to project executive presence and sophistication.
Traditional suit cuts frequently fail to accommodate an oval silhouette, leading to compromised style and comfort in professional settings.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover precisely which suit cuts create the most flattering silhouette for your oval body shape, from optimal jacket construction to trouser proportions.
What is an Oval Body Shape?
An oval body shape presents itself when a gentleman’s midsection measures wider than both shoulders and hips, often accompanied by proportionally slimmer arms and legs.
In Savile Row parlance, an oval silhouette typically features a rounded torso with less defined waist-to-shoulder tapering than other body types.
Celebrated figures with Oval body shapes, like James Corden and John Goodman, exemplify how an oval frame can project gravitas when properly attired.
The key identifier of an oval shape lies in measuring the chest-to-waist ratio – if your waist circumference exceeds your chest measurement, you’re working with an oval canvas.
Which Jacket Cut Works Best for Oval Body Shapes?
Single Breasted
The single-breasted jacket with subtle waist suppression and structured shoulders reigns supreme for oval body shapes – an Anderson & Sheppard’s signature cut.
A two-button stance elongates the torso more effectively than three buttons while maintaining the classic proportions expected in prestigious environments.
The golden rule of jacket length for oval figures remains covering the seat while ending at the thumb knuckle when arms are relaxed.
Roped shoulders, a hallmark of British tailoring, provide crucial structure without excessive padding, creating a commanding frame without appearing overdone.
Peak lapels, cut at precisely 3.5 inches wide, draw the eye upward and outward, creating a balanced proportion.
Double Breasted
While single-breasted jackets typically offer the most flattering cut, certain double-breasted specifications can work exceptionally well for oval shapes, particularly in settings demanding heightened formality.
A 6×2 button configuration, rather than the traditional 6×3, creates a longer lapel line that draws the eye vertically – a detail Tom Ford has masterfully employed in suits worn by successful executives with oval frames.
The button stance on a double-breasted jacket must sit slightly lower than its single-breasted counterpart, with the waist buttons positioned precisely 1.5 inches below the natural waist.
Generous lapel peaks, cut at a 45-degree angle and extending 3.75 inches from the collar, create a powerful diagonal line that counterbalances the oval silhouette – a proportion perfected by Anderson & Sheppard.
Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label double-breasted cut also demonstrates how a wider lapel gorge placement visually broadens the chest while the jacket’s quarters must remain closed to create an uninterrupted vertical line.
How Should Suit Trousers Be Cut for Oval Body Types?
Straight-leg trousers with a 16-to-17-inch leg opening strike the optimal balance between comfort and sophistication for an oval frame.
The trouser rise must sit at the natural waist – typically aligned with the navel – to create a seamless transition from jacket to trouser.
Gieves & Hawkes’ signature quarter-break trouser length is a perfect example of elegant draping without excess fabric pooling at the ankle.
Side adjusters eliminate the need for belts while providing a cleaner silhouette.
Which Premium Suit Styles Create the Most Flattering Silhouette?
The British cut, with moderate waist suppression and structured shoulders, provides the most advantageous foundation for oval body shapes.
Avoid the Italian cut’s extreme tapering, as demonstrated by Brioni’s slim silhouettes, which can emphasise rather than flatter an oval frame.
The American sack suit style, while comfortable, lacks the crucial structure needed to create a distinguished presence.
Richard Anderson’s bespoke cut combines the best elements of traditional British tailoring with modern proportions, creating a silhouette that commands attention in any room.
How Should an Oval-Shaped Man Have His Suit Tailored?
Strategic chest suppression through the torso creates a subtle vertical line without constriction.
The sleeve pitch must align precisely with the natural arm hang, requiring up to three fittings for optimal drape.
The back panel requires careful attention to balance, with a slight fullness allowing comfortable movement while maintaining clean lines.
A properly fitted collar should sit flush against the shirt collar with no more than a quarter-inch gap.
Side seams warrant particular attention, with precise tapering from chest to hip ensuring a clean silhouette without pulling or bunching.
When commissioning bespoke tailoring, expect no fewer than 50 measurements to achieve the precise cut necessary for an oval frame.
The result of proper tailoring transforms an oval silhouette into an embodiment of power and prestige, worthy of any boardroom or diplomatic function.
Style Like a True Gentleman
Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share.
First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.
Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.
Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style in less than 5 minutes by yourself, for free, thanks to our four simple steps:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours and you have to make sure that each hue complements your natural colour.
For that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.
Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste – the first styling assessment is on us!
