Oversized Clothes: Truly Passé

WSJ: QUESTION:I'm a guy who is six feet tall and weighs about 190 pounds. I always buy my tops and sweaters in size large, but now my girlfriend insists that I should go with a medium because the oversized look is out. What do you think?



ANSWER: Fellows, there's a reason why the 80%-off sale rack still has so many oversized clothes: They are truly passé. No matter how old you are, you should think trim -- though not necessarily tight -- for all your shirts, sweaters, jacket and pants. You will smile when you look in the mirror, because body-conscious clothes make you look thinner, taller and, yes, even younger.

When you're shopping for sweaters, remember sizes aren't standard, so take a couple of different sizes into the dressing room. Guys, stop thinking that "small" is for wimps. I have personally steered three six-foot guys into wool sweaters with an "S" on the label. These men were surprised to discover that the small sweaters were comfortably snug and the sleeves were long enough. (If the sleeves are just a tad short, you can push them up slightly on your arm, which looks better anyway.)

For dress shirts, check out the styles labeled "European fit" or "tapered" fit. Whenever you fall between shirt sizes, choose the larger garment and then have it altered for your silhouette.

Email askteri@wsj.com