Selecting option 2 would indicate that you share surname with a sturdy Middle Figured Barrel. The thing about barrels (both literal and anthropomorphized) is they commonly contain merry things in copious quantities. It’s not that the other body types don’t provide good company, it just seems like barrels store and serve good times directly from the gut. So whether your particular vessel contains primates, laughs, fish, or apples, below is the right way to dress him:
1. Start with a proper shirt. A proper button up for your barrel is cut to the “A,” meaning it flares out slightly toward the hem creating generous room for a happy tummy. Just ensure that the hem ends before the crotch does. Trim beyond this barrier enters the curiously androgynous zone of the man-dress. (Of course even barrels should tug and tuck for formal occasions, but their buttoned-up suit coats will create the same illusion as the untucked shirt tails.)
Leave the top few buttons open to bring attention back up to a winning smile. When applying a pattern, be sure its hearty enough to stand up to your man.
2. Balance the bottom half. A healthy trunk deserves a husky base. Rebalance the scale with a pair of flat front, wide leg trousers. Avoid a tapered leg at all cost, unless your gentleman answers to: Häagen-Dazs, Breyers, Ben & Jerry (perhaps a split personality, but both names are required). In the following exceptions, he may actually want to look like an ice cream cone for branding purposes.
Outside of these scenarios, request that he gather his trousers toward his waist (remind him it is the area north of the hips) and apply a belt to secure the closure at its zenith (suspenders are also ideal for special occasions). All evidence of this activity will be disguised beneath shirt hems or suit coats. There is an important purpose served in this effort: saggy crotch disposal. No one likes a sad, saggy crotch particularly when juxtaposed against a jovial, rotund belly.
3. Carefully select a jacket. Boxy jackets help your barrel to look biggish and strongish all over. Construction from stiff fabrication will ensure they hold up to the manliest man frame.
And to commemorate your ensemble success, decorate the shoulder with pads or epaulets. This will broaden the shoulders to their maximum limit.
Sarah says
Awesome! Thank you, Reachel. My Mr. Friday is middle figured and it heartens me to see he is dressing well. 🙂 (I knew that, being the handsome thing he is, but it’s nice to have it confirmed by you).
Megan says
So i actually have a question about myself and my ratios. I love that you’ve posted all this information and maybe I’ll eventually being stylish. Who knows…If I measured correctly: bust: 40 with my bra on.
Waist 38(I think)
Hips: 45.5
Am I actually middle figured or lower? Your help is amazing!
Reachel Bagley, Stylist says
Missus Megan:
Your measurements would classify you as a middle figure since your hip to waist is greater than .75 and your waist to hip is less than 1.25.
More outfitting ideas are available here: https://cardiganempire.com/2008/12/middle-figured-body-type.html
j. says
Rachel,
I just barely did the measurments with a girl I work with and according to the ratio’s, both of us fit linear, pear and middle figured?
We are two completely different body types.
How can we figure out what ONE category we really fit into?
Reachel Bagley, Fashion Consultant says
Rachel,
Linear and middle can actually have very similar ratios but while linear is angular, middle is softer and rounder.
Lower figured or pear could be a subtype of middle, and is characterized by a wider hip breadth than shoulder breadth.
Hope that helps!
R