We Styled Fresh Fits to Help 4 Guys Own Their New Physiques
LIFE’S BIG SHIFTS come with gains, and for these four gents, that meant a new perspective—and a wardrobe. As for the latter, we helped them find their style footing for 2025. Dive into each guy’s personal fitness journey, below, and grab some style inspo along the way. Ruben Chamorro Michael Bance MICHAEL BANCE, 48, thought
LIFE’S BIG SHIFTS come with gains, and for these four gents, that meant a new perspective—and a wardrobe. As for the latter, we helped them find their style footing for 2025. Dive into each guy’s personal fitness journey, below, and grab some style inspo along the way.
Michael Bance
MICHAEL BANCE, 48, thought he was healthy for his age until a routine physical in 2023. “My doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and 46 pounds overweight,” he says. The next day, Bance rebalanced his diet, cutting back on empty carbs, and pushed his workouts harder with bodyweight exercises like planks, pushups, and squats. After 90 days, he’d already noticed a difference: His shirts fit better, his pants felt looser, and his belts cinched tighter. The sales manager, who lost 48 pounds, used his newfound energy to start a side hustle as a personal trainer.
The New Fit
Athletic builds like Bance’s do well with clothes that have structure. Take Banana Republic’s merino wool half-zip sweater, which highlights built shoulders. Straight-leg flannel wool pants show off a lean waist.
Lukasz Zych
IN JANUARY 2023, Lukasz Zych had had enough. Since the end of 2021, the industrial designer had been recovering from knee surgery while also battling depression related to his recent Crohn’s disease diagnosis. The 41-year-old father decided that he needed to change himself—for his son. “I want to set an example and be able to keep up with him,” Zych says. He started practicing jujitsu, strength training, and following a high-protein diet. In nearly a year, he dropped from an extra-large shirt to a medium and lost 40 pounds.
The New Fit
This Rag & Bone nylon bomber tapers on the sides to enhance a V-shape, like Zych’s. A t-shirt and slim-fit jeans complement his new muscle.
Maiki Mejia
ON THE DAY he turned 32, in November 2023, Maiki Mejia suffered what he thought was an anxiety attack. A doctor later told the spiritual-store owner he had high blood pressure, brought on by his weight. “From that point I said, ‘That’s it.’ I went cold turkey,” Mejia says. He kicked his soda habit, which helped bring his calorie intake in check, and started training at a gym after work. Now down 100 pounds, Mejia feels—physically and mentally—better than before. He’s even simplified his style, too, opting for the basics paired with dress sneakers.
The New Fit
The Vince wool topcoat looks great on lean body types like Mejia’s. A cashmere sweater, pull-on dress pants, and slip-on sneakers help active guys move without overheating
Tim Liriano
FEELING STUCK AND stagnant from being out of shape, Tim Liriano, 37, a financial educator, was determined to lose weight. “I’ve been working out since I was 17 years old and did pretty well on my own. Then I got into a rut,” he says. So he connected with personal trainer Marfred Suazo and adjusted his diet to include less junk food and more grilled chicken and salads. He also restarted his workouts, training three times a week and taking on new fitness challenges, like circuit training, boxing, and free weights. In just 90 days, he shed 40 pounds.
The New Fit
These Hugo Boss jeans have a clean, sharp look that frames Liriano’s trimmer lower body. The stretch-fabric sport jacket molds to a fit upper body.
Fashion Director: Ted Stafford. Grooming: Caroline Baribeau.
This article originally appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Men’s Health.