Oval

What works and what to avoid

Oval — the waist is wider than the chest, or the belly sits beyond the chest line. The jacket must button without strain: X-shaped creases at the button ruin the look regardless of everything else — buy by chest measurement and have the shoulder taken in, not the other way round. Only single-breasted with one button; a double-breasted jacket adds layers of fabric across the widest point. The trouser waistband sits either above the top of the belly or below it — never on it: a high rise with braces keeps the line steady, while a belt splits the belly in two and emphasises it. An open longline layer works as a continuous vertical if it ends below the top of the belly.

Tips

• The trouser waistline sits above or below the widest point of the stomach, never on it: a tight belt splits the belly into two and draws attention to it.
• A high rise with braces holds the waistline steady and works better than a belt — especially under an open, elongated top layer.