T-Shirt Color Choices: Looking Bigger Or Smaller?

The colour of a t-shirt can have a significant impact on how big or small you appear. It is commonly believed that black makes people look slimmer while white makes them look larger. However, the relationship between colour and the perception of size is more complex than that. Lighter colours, such as white and light grey, tend to make people look heavier due to their high luminance, which makes it easier to see contours and shadows. On the other hand, darker colours create a slimming effect by hiding the shape of the body and making it harder to see contours and cast shadows. Additionally, the fit of the t-shirt also plays a crucial role in how big or small you appear. Well-fitted clothing that skims the body in the right places can create the illusion of a broader frame and showcase your muscles.

White T-shirts make you look bigger

It is a common belief that wearing white makes you appear larger, and there is some truth to this. The luminance of a colour, or how light it appears, affects how easily we can see contours and shadows on a surface. White has the highest luminance, making it the easiest colour to see and thus the easiest to notice any lumps or bumps.

Additionally, wearing darker colours can have a trimming effect, making them ideal for hiding unflattering curves or rolls. Black and other dark colours are harder to make out from a distance, so they don't accentuate your body shape in the same way that white does.

However, wearing white is not necessarily a bad thing. If you want to look bigger, white T-shirts can be a great way to do that. White shirts can accentuate your torso and make you appear broader in the shoulders, which is a desirable look for many people.

If you want to look bigger, wearing white T-shirts can be a simple and effective way to achieve that goal. Combined with well-fitted clothing that skims your body, a white T-shirt can make you appear larger without making you look scrawny.

Another trick to look bigger is to use shoulder pads in jackets and suits. Slightly padded shoulders will give the impression of broader shoulders, adding bulk to your upper body. Just be sure to avoid bulky pads, as these can have the opposite effect and make your shoulders look puny.

So, if you want to look bigger, don't be afraid to wear white T-shirts. With the right fit and some clever styling, you can achieve the impression of having a more substantial frame.

Light blues and browns broaden your frame

If you want to look broader, light blues and browns are the colours to go for. These colours broaden your frame and are a perfect choice if you want to show off your abs and torso. The reason for this is that these colours create subtle shadows, which make it easier to see the contours and shadows of your body.

The Science of Colour

The "correct" terminology for how "light" a colour appears is luminance. Luminance changes depending on hue (colour type/wavelength), chroma (saturation/brightness), and colour value (lightness/darkness). White is the colour with the highest luminance since it can't get any "lighter" (100%). The hue with the highest luminance is yellow (97.6%), while the hue with the lowest is blue (29.6%).

The Psychology of Colour

The power of colour is something that should not be underestimated. It can make you feel more confident and can even make others perceive you as more assertive, powerful, friendly, or loyal.

Dressing to Your Skin Tone

If you have a light skin tone, it's best to avoid light pastel shades as these will wash you out and make you appear duller. Instead, you should opt for colours that bring out the colour in your skin, such as grey, beige, and navy. If you have a darker skin tone, almost any hue will complement your skin, except for brown, which should be used sparingly.

Styling Tips

If you want to look broader, it's important to avoid baggy clothing as this will only make you appear skinnier. Instead, choose well-fitted clothing that skims your body in the right places. Additionally, horizontal stripes can help to broaden your frame, while vertical stripes tend to be slimming.

Wear well-fitted T-shirts

When it comes to T-shirts, fit is king. Well-fitted T-shirts can make you look bigger, and are a must-have in any wardrobe.

Firstly, avoid baggy T-shirts. While you might think that a larger T-shirt will make you look bigger, it will actually have the opposite effect, making you appear skinnier. Instead, opt for form-skimming, well-fitted T-shirts that are tapered to touch your body in the right places and skim your shape in others.

For those with slender bodies, a slim-fit T-shirt will make you look more tailored. If you're bigger, a roomier fit will flatter your frame. If a T-shirt fits tightly around your chest, it will make your chest look bigger. The ideal T-shirt length should reach just below your waist—you don't want it to cover your butt.

If you want to look dressy, avoid plain T-shirts that look like undershirts. Instead, go for a pocketed T-shirt or a graphic tee to make a style statement.

When it comes to colour, it's not just about light or dark. The luminance of a colour—how light it appears—is the key factor in how it will affect your perceived size. White and very light colours, such as light grey, have the highest luminance, making you appear larger. Dark colours, on the other hand, make you seem smaller. However, be mindful of your surroundings. Wearing dark colours to a summer party, for example, will make you seem overbearing.

Horizontal stripes make you look wider

It is a common belief that horizontal stripes make you look wider and vertical stripes make you look slimmer. However, this is not always the case. In fact, wearing horizontal stripes can make you look thinner than vertical stripes, provided they are worn correctly.

Firstly, it is important to consider the thickness of the stripes. Thick horizontal stripes should be avoided as they can accentuate width. Instead, opt for thinner stripes which will have a slimming effect. Additionally, the length of the garment matters. A longer item with horizontal stripes will make you look slimmer, whereas a short item might have the opposite effect.

The fit of the garment also plays a role in how horizontal stripes affect your appearance. A horizontal striped shirt that is fitted rather than loose will help to avoid exaggerating the "widening" effect. It is also recommended to stick to narrow cut clothing and soft fabrics when wearing horizontal stripes.

Interestingly, the Helmholtz illusion, discovered by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1925, demonstrates that a square composed of horizontal lines appears taller and narrower than the same square made of vertical lines. This illusion was further tested by British psychologists in 2009 using three-dimensional female models, and the results confirmed that the illusion persisted.

Therefore, while there is a common belief that horizontal stripes make you look wider, this is not always true. By choosing the right thickness of stripes, length of the garment, and fit, you can actually use horizontal stripes to create a slimming effect.

Dark colours make you look slimmer

Dark colours are widely believed to make people look slimmer. This is because they draw the eye away from the body to the head, hands and feet, making the wearer appear taller and slimmer. Dark colours also help to hide any bumps or bulges. By contrast, light colours emphasise your contours, as these are more likely to produce shadows in light-coloured clothing.

However, wearing dark colours in a bright, summery setting can have the opposite effect. For example, if you wear an overly dark outfit to an outdoor summer party, you’re likely to be perceived as bigger than you actually are. This is because the contrast between your dark clothing and the light, bright environment around you will be very strong, making your silhouette easily distinguishable.

The slimming effect of dark colours is also dependent on your skin tone. Dark colours are most flattering on people with dark hair and medium to dark skin tones. If you have a light skin tone, dark colours can cast shadows on your chin and under your eyes, making you look older and paler.

If you want to create a slimming effect, it's best to wear the same solid colour from top to toe. This creates an illusion of length and prevents your body from appearing as if it has been divided in two at the waist. Clothes with vertical stripes will also make you look taller and slimmer.

Frequently asked questions