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Athleisure Tips for Narrow Shoulders, Pot Belly, Big Butt and Short Torso

If you've got narrow shoulders, a pot belly, a bigger butt, or a short torso with long legs, we'll show how to make your athleisure wear work for you. If you're dealing with other fit issues as well, you might also want to check our guides for bow legs, knock knees, sloping shoulders, or narrow shoulders.

Why Athleisure Doesn't Fit Every Body Shape

You've tried the recommended brands - wasted money on athleisure that looked fine on the rack but looked weird when you put it on.

Brands Use Generic Measurements

Brands pick generic measurements, make everything with that template, and hope that you'll magically change your body shape to fit their clothes.
And, no, wearing designer labels won't fix the fit - those brands use the same sizing templates and charge you way more for it.
Let's break it down by the specific fit issues you might face.

Athleisure Tips For Men With Narrow Shoulders

Why Athleisure Tops Hang Off Narrow Shoulders

If you've got narrow shoulders, it's a width issue. The shoulder seams on your tops will hang on your arm instead of the end of your shoulder.

You'll get saggy sleeves, bunched material at the armpits, and you look smaller than you are.
The more layers you wear with the shoulder seam in the wrong place, the worse the effect. This also restricts how you move when you're driving, lifting, etc.

Athleisure Styles That Work Better for Narrow Shoulders

A tailor can pull-in the shoulders or add a bit of padding on your tops and jackets. That way all the seams sit in the right place.
Places like Tailored Athlete can make tops for you that have narrower shoulder seams and higher armholes using your own body shape measurements.
You can also wear tops with Raglan sleeves. They dodge the issue completely because there are no shoulder seams in the first place. The seam goes from your armpit to your collar instead.

What to Look for in Athleisure Tops

  • Go for raglan sleeves - the seam runs from armpit to collar, so it never sits on your shoulder.
  • A tailor can take in the shoulders or add light padding to get the shoulder seams in the right spot.
  • For a perfect fit, invest in made-to-measure from a specialist like Tailored Athlete.

Athleisure Tips for a Pot Belly

Do You Wear Joggers under the belly or over it?

If you wear your pants under your gut, they never stay put. You constantly have to yank them back up. You end up with a saggy-looking pancake butt, and it makes your legs look stubby. Not a great look on any day.

But, resting the waistband on a big belly has its own problems. When you sit down, your stomach naturally expands which makes the waistband dig in and feel tight, even hard to breathe. For some guys, it can also create a front pouch situation. Again, not what anyone's going for.

How to Wear Joggers with a Pot Belly

How it looks all depends on your belly shape. If your belly hangs down more, and you wear the waistband over it, that look can work quite well by giving you a smoother frame.

If you've got a round gut that sticks straight out, that same move might just make you look pregnant. Moisture-wicking fabrics are even worse because they show every curve.

It's not a one-size-fits-all rule. Your shape decides.

Hoodies and Jackets That Balance Your Shape

You want your belly to seem smaller. To get that look, your upper body need to look wider than your mid-section.
Get hoodies and track jackets with firm shoulder seams (and a little bit of padding). The fabric should be medium-weight so it doesn't just cling to your stomach.

Layers control the silhouette. Try a fitted crewneck tee with an open shirt, and wear a lightweight track jacket or zip up hoodie over it. Leave it all open. The layers break-up the space across your torso.

Athleisure For Pot Belly - The Fix

  • Find joggers with a higher rise and elastic. Look for a ~13-inch rise with an elastic or drawstring waist.
  • Shop these terms: "high rise," "elastic waist," or "relaxed taper".
  • Try these styles: Levi's Easy Chino, Nike ACG Smith Summit Pant, or Lululemon/Gymshark cuts for broader builds.
  • Choose structured tops. Hoodies and jackets with firm shoulder seams add width up top, balancing your middle.

Athleisure Tips for a Bigger Butt

Why Joggers Pull Across the Seat and Thighs

You know the problem. You buy joggers that fit your waist, and they're tight across your seat and thighs. You buy pants that fit your seat, and you're swimming in puckered fabric at the waist.

The waistband sits too low, you're constantly pulling your pants up, and from the side, any untucked shirt makes you look blocky.

Sizing Strategy When Joggers Are Tight in the Seat

If you want a perfect fit and are open to alterations, do this: buy the size that fits your seat and thighs comfortably, even if it’s one size up from your usual. This gives a tailor the extra fabric they need to perfect the rest.
Yes, the waist will be big and the legs might be wide. That’s exactly what the tailor fixes. They’ll take in the waist, taper the legs from the knee down, and adjust the rise so the crotch doesn’t sag. It might cost a bit (£50-£100 depending on the work), BUT you'll have joggers that fit you perfectly.

What to Look for in Joggers If You Have a Bigger Butt

  • For a tailored fit: Buy the size that fits your seat and thighs. A tailor can then take in the waist, taper the legs, and adjust the rise.
  • For off-the-rack: Always search for "Athletic Fit." This cut is designed for more room in the seat and thighs.
  • Key brands to try: State & Liberty ("hockey butt" fit), Levi's Athletic Fit, American Eagle Airflex Athletic.
  • Fabric is key: Look for a blend with stretch (2-4% spandex/elastane) for comfort and movement.

Athleisure For A Short Torso and Long Legs

Get Joggers That Sit At Your Natural Waist

You want the waistband to come up closer to your natural waist. This simple change gives your torso more room to "breathe" visually.

Then, make sure they're long enough. If the cuff sits high up on your calf and shows your ankle, it just makes your legs look even longer. The joggers should reach your shoe.

Pick tops with vertical details

For tops, you want the hem to stop around your hip bone - long enough to cover your waistband but not so long it becomes a tunic. A zip-up hoodie is great for this because the zipper draws a long line down your middle.

Stick with similar shades from top to bottom, like a grey sweatshirt with charcoal joggers. That helps the eye to move smoothly instead of getting stuck at your waist. A V-neck tee or an open jacket can make your clothes hang together better.

Athleisure For Short Torso / Long Legs - The Fix

  • Raise your waistline: Choose mid-rise joggers (not low-rise).
  • Control top length: Tops should end at your hip bone—not cropped, not thigh-length.
  • Streamline with color: Wear similar tones top-to-bottom to avoid "cutting" your frame in half.
  • Use vertical details: Zip-ups, V-necks, or unbuttoned layers help draw the eye up and down.
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