There’s nothing wrong with having a dad bod, the problem comes when we don’t show it well. Dressing for the body you have now and presenting it in the best way possible is the key to dad bod nirvana.
1. Wear clothes that fit
This tip applies to all guys really – not just those storing a few extra donuts around the waist. Dad bod guys in particular are prone to wearing clothing a size too big. It may seem like a good way to hide your flaws, but in truth you resemble a tent being blown around by wind at a music festival.
On the other hand, smaller than ideal clothes tend to be uncomfortable and unflattering in anything but that “sucking-it-in” pose that never looks natural. Sit down and buttons will gape or pants will strain.
Disregard size labels, be prepared to try on a variety of fits, and get a good tailor, your ally and your best asset.
2. Darker colors up top
Most guys know the “dark top with light pants and light top with dark pants» rule, but when you’re dressing a dad bod, you should stick with dark tops. The idea here is to minimize the shadows, giving your torso a flatter look. Lighter colors can emphasize less flattering curves, and are best worn under a dark jacket.
3. Avoid horizontal stripes
Ideally, you want to look a little broader across your shoulders, slimming to your waist – and horizontal stripes cannot help you here. At best, you come off looking like a jailbird or a “Where’s Waldo” cosplayer. Stick to vertical stripes.
4. Wear a structured jacket
Layering is an essential dad bod trick because it breaks the bulkiness of a large posterior (by visually cutting through the silhouette), while keeping the outline more defined (meaning no muffin tops).
Go for a structured jacket in a stiff fabric that doesn’t cling and emphasize your belly; think workwear pieces like shirt jackets, waxed or canvas jackets, and bomber jackets with ribbed cuffs.
The good news is, dab-bods are nothing new – as men, we’ve been trying to look more muscular for hundreds of years (think about the padded shoulders of military uniforms and formal suits) – so we’ve got it worked out pretty well.
5. Wear shaping undershirts
Compression garments have long been used by athletes to decrease recovery times and improve posture, but not all of them look good under a suit. When you’ve absolutely got to look your best (and keep your shirt tucked in), a good shaping top like the Farmacell Men’s Tummy Control Body Shaping Tanktop can be your best friend. A good shaping shirt will flatten your stomach and chest, which smooths the silhouette, while also shaping the waistline.
Farmacell men’s tummy control body shaping vest in stretched cotton shapes and defines the waistline due to its powerful control waist girdle. Its seamless construction and anatomical shape provides maximum comfort, while the high double elastic band prevents the shaper from rolling up and compressing excessive pressure on the body. The Farmacell tummy control body shaping vest is also breathable, light and invisible underneath clothing. Fabric content: 50% nylon, 39% cotton, 11% elastane.
