Being a gym junkie myself, I've often found myself either gaining or losing significant muscle mass. The waist suddenly shrinks and the T-shirt around the chest feels too tight. We all like to get super ripped and be the best versions of ourselves with intense weight training and diet. However, the new measurements call for some wardrobe tweaks and tailoring adjustments. It's not practical to go for an entire wardrobe upgrade but one could make some clever changes with a few minor adjustments in the existing closet. And it's not just me - a lot of guys have trouble figuring out their clothes once they’ve gained muscle mass at the gym.
Mumbai-based luxury PR entrepreneur Rizwan Shaikh recently gained a considerable muscle density and had to refigure his entire wardrobe. Given his newly developed chest muscle gain and pronounced shoulders, his usual size S no longer worked for him. "From my existing wardrobe, I'm using oversized jackets for layering but for T-shirts and denims obviously, I had to restock. As far as my current lot of shirts and suits are concerned, I got my tailor to resize some of them," he told us.
Neha Modi, Chief Product Officer, Bombay Shirt Company suggests, "Don’t simply size up when you gain muscle. Your proportions change rather than your whole body increasing uniformly. A larger standard size may solve tightness around the chest or thighs, but leave the waist, sleeves or trouser seat too loose. This is where custom options can be particularly useful. Start by reassessing your measurements. The chest, shoulders, upper arms, waist, seat, and thighs are the key areas to remeasure after a significant change in physique. For shirts and jackets, prioritise the shoulders and chest. You want enough room for natural movement without excess fabric around the waist. A good tailor can accommodate a broader upper body while maintaining a clean silhouette."
For trousers, she suggests paying particular attention to the seat and thighs. "Athletic legs often need more room through the upper trouser, while the leg can remain straight or taper cleanly below the knee. Simply increasing the waist size rarely gives you the best fit," she adds, also cautioning against going excessively slim. "Clothes that closely trace every muscle can make a larger physique look less elegant. Wider, more relaxed fits are much more on trend, and we regularly recommend them to customers. They offer greater ease and comfort and give you more flexibility if you bulk up or cut down," she recommends. If you're still actively bulking, don't rebuild your entire wardrobe immediately. Invest first in versatile essentials and leave a little allowance, especially in suits, jackets and trousers, so there is room for alterations as your body settles.
Tailoring experts advise not to treat a change in physique as a reason to simply move up a size. Tapan Bisht, Brand Head, Vercelli observes, "Muscle gain changes proportions, and a broader shoulder, fuller chest or more developed thigh can mean that a larger size fits one area but creates unnecessary volume elsewhere. The focus should therefore shift from buying by size to dressing by proportion."
This is where tailored and bespoke clothing can make a significant difference. "Rather than asking the body to conform to a standard ready-to-wear size, the garment is built around the individual. Bespoke tailoring can accommodate broader shoulders, a developed chest and stronger thighs while maintaining definition through the waist and an overall clean silhouette," he adds.
Fabric selection is equally important. Fine wool and wool blends with natural stretch, good drape and recovery provide freedom of movement while allowing the garment to retain its structure and shape. The combination of the right fabric and skilled tailoring creates comfort without making the garment unnecessarily loose or oversized.
"I would also resist the idea that an entire wardrobe needs to be replaced. A good tailor can often extend the life of existing garments through adjustments to the waist, sleeves, seat or trousers. However, if a jacket has become genuinely restrictive across the shoulders or chest, extensive alterations can compromise its original construction and balance. In that situation, investing in a new tailored or bespoke piece is usually the smarter choice," he quips.
An athletic physique does not need tighter or simply larger clothing, it needs better-proportioned clothing. A well-made garment should provide room to move while maintaining a refined silhouette, ensuring that the fabric, construction and fit work with the body rather than against it.
Vedant Bang, Managing Director at Thomas Scott India Ltd shares, "After gaining muscle, dressing well involves adapting to your new proportions rather than simply sizing up. Focus on the fit around the shoulders and chest, while keeping the waist clean and comfortable. Choose structured yet flexible fabrics and avoid overly loose silhouettes that can hide your shape. When tailoring, get the shoulders and chest right first, as the waist and sleeves are easier to adjust.”
All in all, a balanced fit will complement a stronger physique while keeping the look sharp and effortless.
Tailoring experts advise not to treat a change in physique as a reason to simply move up a size. Tapan Bisht, Brand Head, Vercelli observes, "Muscle gain changes proportions, and a broader shoulder, fuller chest or more developed thigh can mean that a larger size fits one area but creates unnecessary volume elsewhere. The focus should therefore shift from buying by size to dressing by proportion."
This is where tailored and bespoke clothing can make a significant difference. "Rather than asking the body to conform to a standard ready-to-wear size, the garment is built around the individual. Bespoke tailoring can accommodate broader shoulders, a developed chest and stronger thighs while maintaining definition through the waist and an overall clean silhouette," he adds.
Fabric selection is equally important. Fine wool and wool blends with natural stretch, good drape and recovery provide freedom of movement while allowing the garment to retain its structure and shape. The combination of the right fabric and skilled tailoring creates comfort without making the garment unnecessarily loose or oversized.
"I would also resist the idea that an entire wardrobe needs to be replaced. A good tailor can often extend the life of existing garments through adjustments to the waist, sleeves, seat or trousers. However, if a jacket has become genuinely restrictive across the shoulders or chest, extensive alterations can compromise its original construction and balance. In that situation, investing in a new tailored or bespoke piece is usually the smarter choice," he quips.