I can’t count the number of times it’s happened—settling for clothes that are either far too tight or far too loose, but only in certain areas. And I’m sure I’m not alone.
New clothing brands seem to be popping up every day; and luckily, some of them are attempting to tackle this issue and make looking stylish a possibility for guys that are a little more carved out.
What’s the verdict? Keep reading to get the lowdown on my five favorite clothing brands for bodybuilders.
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Why Do Bodybuilders Need Different Clothes?
Clothing that fits is important regardless of your size. However, when you’ve been hitting the gym for a while and you’ve bulked up, they can be harder to come by.
Pants that fit in the waist will generally either be too tight in the thighs; or, if it fits in the thighs, it leaves your calves swimming. Shirts either swallow you whole or squeeze the life out of you all day.
It’s a hassle.
Hunting down brands that design clothes tailored to bigger dudes alleviates the everyday problems caused by the muscles you’ve worked so hard for. Looking better makes you feel better, which may be one of the reasons you’re hitting the iron in the first place.
5 Best Clothing Brands for Bodybuilders
Best Overall: Barbell Apparel
Founded under the mantra “Clothing should be better,” Barbell Apparel set out to make better clothing options for those with a more muscular build.
Constructing a wide range of clothing options with stretchy performance fabric and athletic silhouettes means comfortable, great-looking clothes for both in and out of the weight room.
What I Like
The fit and fabric just can’t be beat for an active lifestyle and a muscular build.
I loved the thoughtful details in their pieces like extra zips and hidden elastic phone pockets.
Their casual clothing actually looks like casual clothing and not a lycra gym shirt with a collar on it.
Their jeans are hands-down some of the best jeans I’ve ever worn.
What I Don’t Like
There are limited colorways available, which is fine for basics, but can be challenging when building out a wardrobe.
What Other Reviewers Say
Although there aren’t a ton of reviews for Barbell Apparel out there, the existing reviews sing the same praises I did: unbeatable fit and fabric that works with you.
The Verdict
If you’re athletically built and you’re tired of either squeezing into or getting lost in your clothes, Barbell Apparel is definitely an attractive option. The athletic cuts fit in all the right places without being skin-tight, and their quality fabrics keep you comfortable all day long.
Barbell Apparel is marketed towards muscular dudes, sure, but the pieces they make are for anyone with an athletic build who’s tired of compromising when it comes to fit, comfort, and a stylish look.
Most Versatile: Under Armour
If you haven’t heard of Under Armour, your delt workout probably consists of repeatedly pressing the rock you live under.
They’ve been a main contender in the athletic apparel space for over two decades, offering a wide range of specialized garments for fitness, hiking, and pretty much any sport you can name.
What I Like
If you’re looking for a specific piece of clothing to serve a specific purpose, Under Armour has a solution—their inventory is just that deep.
I like the fit of Under Armour’s gym gear, and performance fabric certainly does its job.
The brand is involved in several community and sustainability initiatives, including working with kids.
What I Don’t Like
Under Armour’s casual pieces fall prey to the classic “gym shirt with a collar” or “gym pants with belt loops” looks.
Their branding is a little too bold for me as someone who prefers logos to be as small as possible if there at all.
What Other Reviewers Say
Under Armour is a titan in the fitness industry, and they haven’t made it there by chance. Reviews online rave about the various tech fabrics they use to keep you warm, keep you cool, or keep you dry.
The Verdict
If on the hunt for gym gear or clothing to serve a very specific purpose in your wardrobe, Under Armour has a wide selection of options.
Casual options that look good are limited, but they’re comfortable and can provide great performance if you don’t mind the size of the logo.
While Under Armour dabbles in a little bit of everything, they have plenty of options for weight lifters and bodybuilders.
Best for Recovery Days: Vuori
Although you may spend most of your free time under the bar, not everything in your wardrobe needs to be optimized for sled pushes or endless hours of metcon.
Vuori is a coastal California-inspired brand that has become a regular here on The Adult Man because of their durable and comfortable basics.
What I Like
I like that Vuori makes clothing that’s built for comfort but will easily stand up to a workout.
A mix of bright and muted color options provides great versatility for mixing up your outfits.
Sustainability is a major mission of the brand, using fabrics like sustainable wood pulp and seaweed.
What I Don’t Like
While Vuori does offer athletic cuts, they’re a bit more relaxed than the other brands in this list.
What Other Reviewers Say
The reviews I was able to track down for Vuori were overwhelmingly positive. Reviewers are crazy about how comfortable their pieces are and how great they look for loungewear.
Vuori’s lineup of performance-wear looks and feels good. Their sizes are on the small side, so if you’re in between, go larger. Their customer service is on-point so you can focus on getting clothes that take you from the gym to the lake to a Sunday stroll.
Best for Out of The Gym: State & Liberty
Beginning as a dress shirt company targeting guys with more muscular builds, State & Liberty offers a wide range of casual and business casual wear for V-shaped body types.
State & Liberty offers plenty of dressier options, so you can head to the office or your buddy’s wedding without fighting against a more traditional fit and fabric. Their moisture-wicking, four-way stretch material is consistent with their entire clothing line—they even offer athletic fit stretch suits.
What I Like
The fit is great and tailored toward an athletic build, but you don’t have to be Ronnie Coleman to look good in their clothes.
There are several colors and patterns available so you’re not wearing the same two shirts on your commute every day.
Although the fabric provides stretch, it still looks good in a professional setting.
What I Don’t Like
Their technical fabric can snag easily, which means that you’ll have to be extra careful when wearing State & Liberty clothes on your commute and at work.
What Other Reviewers Say
Some of the biggest fans of State and Liberty seem to be professional athletes. When your clothes are regulars in the wardrobes of NFL linebackers and NHL defenders, there’s a solid chance they’re good enough for regular guys too.
The Verdict
If you’re searching for some comfortable duds to wear to the season’s next wedding or a workhorse outfit for the office, State & Liberty is definitely worth checking out. Their casual pieces look and fit great, and they’ll stay looking great as long as you take care of them.
State & Liberty is an excellent brand for fit guys who want flattering clothes for the office. The shirts embellish that hard work you’ve been putting in at the gym, and anything you pick up from S&L is going to be as comfortable as dress clothes can get.
Best for High Fashion: Ron Dorff
“Discipline is not a dirty word” is the phrase upon which the minimalist French-Swedish brand Ron Dorff was built.
Specializing in a more fashionable take on basics geared toward athletic individuals, this brand makes high-street Milan style accessible to guys that are no stranger to the pec deck. While they do have some active pieces available, their wheelhouse is beyond basic loungewear and stylish casual pieces.
What I Like
I like that Ron Dorff makes designer looks an option for more athletic body types.
They offer a wide range of options and colors to mix up statement pieces with staples.
For the designer cuts they offer, their price point is surprisingly approachable.
What I Don’t Like
Although they offer more athletic cuts, they tend to use more traditional fabrics instead of the performance textiles utilized by other brands.
Some of their clothing may be a bit too adventurous for those who prefer to maintain a more conservative wardrobe.
What Other Reviewers Say
Online reviews for Ron Dorff tend to use words like “revolutionary” and “elegant,” citing the brand’s approach to bringing a European high-fashion look to athletic streetwear.
Shipping issues pop up in older reviews, but the brand has expanded since then, and those reports have mostly died down.
The Verdict
If you’re itching to wear designer duds, but contemporary fashion fits aren’t cutting it, you can find some solid looks at Ron Dorff. Their understated and functional looks can help you diversify your outfits if you’ve been stuck in the hoodie game and you’re ready for a change.
Specializing in a more fashionable take on basics geared toward athletic individuals, this brand makes high-street Milan style accessible to guys that are no stranger to the pec deck.
3 Things Bodybuilders Should Look for When Buying New Clothes (for Outside the Gym)
1. Fit is King
Now I’m no beefcake, but at 6’2” and a lean 200 lbs., even I have trouble finding clothes that fit correctly. For someone with boulder shoulders and sleeve-ripping biceps, that problem is only going to get worse.
You’ll want to look for clothes that are roomy in the right places and fitted in the right places to avoid busting out of your outfit or looking like a kid lost in his big brother’s hand-me-downs.
An athletic silhouette that isn’t too tight will show off your hard-earned body while still looking fashionable.
2. Fabric = Versatility
You’ve found some clothing that fits. Congratulations.
Can you move in it? Will it still look great after your summer cut shaves 10 lbs. off your frame? This is where fabric comes in.
Stretch
As much as nobody wants to be relegated to wearing spandex all the time, clothing for those with a muscular build needs to have some stretch. From bulks and cuts to simply moving around being comfortable without the fear of busting, choosing clothing with some iteration of performance fabric is crucial.
Appearance
A common area where performance fabric can fall short in casual clothing, however, is that it often looks like performance fabric. If you’re going out on a date, you don’t want to look like you’re on your way to hit your delts.
One thing to look for in out-of-gym wear performance fabrics that don’t have that characteristic sheen that’s commonly seen in compression garments and other workout gear.
3. The Devil’s in the Details
When you’re buff and looking for clothes, the details matter. If you’ve ever had extra-long hoodie drawstrings slap you in the face during a hang clean, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Keep an eye out for those thoughtful little touches that can make a big difference in your day-to-day life.
Load Up the Plates
The winner, with a fitting name, is Barbell Apparel. They know their market, and their fits, fabrics, and intentional designs hit the nail squarely on the head with every piece I wore.
Barbell Apparel is marketed towards muscular dudes, sure, but the pieces they make are for anyone with an athletic build who’s tired of compromising when it comes to fit, comfort, and a stylish look.
For dress shirts and suits, State & Liberty is a favorite of ours here at The Adult Man, and they have several great-looking options available. If you’re after loungewear that can keep up with a workout, look no further than Vuori.
Whichever brand you choose to try out, make sure to pair your new outfit with the right watch to complete the look.
FAQs
Will clothing for bodybuilders fit me if I’m not a bodybuilder?
The properties that make clothing great for bodybuilders make them great for body types ranging from slim to bulkier upside-down triangle types. However, the fits will tend to be tapered and slimmer around the midsection, so they’re not great for everyone.
Are there jeans made for bodybuilders?
Jeans are a staple of any guy’s wardrobe, and finding them can be tough for more muscular body types. One of the many reasons why Barbell Apparel was our best overall brand is because of their jeans.
What’s the difference between loungewear and gymwear?
Although loungewear and gymwear are typically both made with flexible fabrics, loungewear typically veers in the direction of comfort and style. Both can generally stand up to a workout, but dedicated gymwear will generally do the job better.
