It’s getting to about that time of year when we try to fight off the winter blues with decadence and indulgence. We’ve just kissed goodbye to Thanksgiving for another year, and now our sights are set firmly on Christmas. There’s a lot of food to be eaten, and a lot of drinks to be knocked back merrily. It’s perhaps the most wonderful time of year, but indulging in this manner can have dramatic effects on your waistline. At the risk of sounding a little image-conscious, many men suffer the same problem this time of year. Those few extra pounds you’ve accrued over the winter might do well to keep you warm in the chill, but your clothes are starting to feel a little tighter.
It’s a problem facing many men every time the New Year approaches. All of a sudden, those buttons start to take a little extra effort to fasten. Your trousers are a struggle to squeeze into. You may find yourself performing an unusual mating dance around your bedroom as you get dressed each morning. Now, I know what you’re thinking. It’d be easier to go out and buy a new wardrobe than cut down on the steaks for a few weeks, but neither is necessary. There are ways you can cheat to get the best out of your clothes after putting on some winter weight. Although, if you can shed a few pounds, that’s never a bad thing!
Jackets
Of all the dress items, jackets often afford the most room. Men rarely get buying jackets right anyway, so you’ll probably find yours offers a little more give. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that the shoulders still match the width of yours. Avoid going too little or too large, as you’ll look a little silly and not at all presentable.
Shirts
Every man needs a good shirt. It’s simply unavoidable if you want to look great. The good news is that most shirts, even of the fittest variety, can be very accommodating. If you’ve found things to get a little tighter around the edges, don’t worry. Dress shirts often account for a healthy midsection. Where things get tricky, though, are around the button areas. You may feel as though your collar is suddenly choking you, or your sleeves are impossible to fasten. There are simple remedies to these problems. Investing in a good set of collar extenders can give you some instant relief around the throat. There isn’t a lot you can do about shorter sleeves other than roll them up. For this reason, you need to learn the right way to roll your sleeves to avoid looking untidy.
Trousers
If you follow the style guide, you’ll know that you should have bought your trousers with two fingers worth of give around the waistband. While this is only a temporary solution, it can offer some relief if you’ve gained some holiday weight. At least things aren’t as restricted as they could be. If you feel your button is at risk of popping every time you move, though, it might be time to seek out a good tailor and get it fixed. Otherwise, there isn’t much a good belt can’t do to make sure your trousers fit right.