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Written by Leo Reed in Fat Questions last updated June 2021 LiveLifeBig.net may earn a small commission when you use one of the links on this page to purchase. Most of the time, fat guys try to avoid showing off any extra skin. That means baggy, loose-fitting clothing that leaves you hot, uncomfortable, and looking a little bit like a mess. But it doesn't have to be that way! Fat guys can not only wear tank tops but you can also look really good in them. In many cases, tank tops can accentuate the best features of a fat guy while minimizing any insecurities you might have. Even though my arms aren't jam-packed with muscle, they're still big and a well-fitting tank lets me show them off. Still, there can be some hesitancy from fat dudes to rock a tank top so we'll take a quick look at the basics behind making this look work but more importantly we'll go over my favorite tank tops for fat guys. If you want to just skip ahead and see what made the list you can check it out here: Best Overall Tank Top: KingSize Men's Big & Tall Shrink-Less Lightweight Tank Shirt Best Overall Muscle Shirt: KingSize Men's Big & Tall Shrink-Less Lightweight Muscle T-Shirt Best Cotton Tank Top On A Budget: Harbor Bay 3 Pack Tank Tops Budget Polyester Option: DEVOPS 3 Pack Men's Muscle Shirts Most Stylish Tank Top: Champion Big & Tall Men's Tank Top Most Stylish Alternative: HSJOTT Men's Workout Basket Ball Jersey-Style Tank Tops Best Joke Tank Top For Funny Fat Dudes: ZeroGravitee "Dad Bod" Tank Top Best With A Hood: Champion Big and Tall Men's Sleeveless Popover Hoodie Can Big Guys Look Good In Tank Tops? Heck yes, they can! But there are some style choices to avoid if you want to pull off your best look. You should also know that none of the tank tops on this list break any of these style guidelines. Avoid The Super Tight Look The super-tight look is probably best to be avoided. Fat or not, going too tight will accentuate all the wrong areas and none of the right ones. Instead of noticing your powerful arms, people's eyes will probably be drawn to your...well, nipples. The look of a super-tight tank on a belly button can also get a little strange looking as you can end up with this weird-looking soft spot where the belly button sits. Of course, you want to find the right size, but also the right material. Elastic-type materials can really hug the body even if they're a little loose. We'll be avoiding too much clingy material and instead looking at blends in most cases. Don't Be Afraid To Go Long I normally wouldn't recommend that a fat guy go for clothing that's too loose but the great thing about tank tops is that you can actually go loose and long without looking frumpy. With cut-off sleeves, your arms are out and the shape of your body is still appealing even if the tank is loose. That means there's no reason to not pick up a tank that leaves plenty of room for your belly. Even with some extra length, you'll still maintain a masculine shape. You also want to make sure that your tank top passes the "arms up" test. You should be able to raise your arms up, at least a little bit, without your belly peaking out and saying hello. Avoid The Deep Crew Having a deep crew may be great for your social life but it's not a good look for a fat guy in a tank top. Well, I honestly don't think this look works for just about any man regardless of their size. When you go with a crew or v-neck that's too deep it can really mess up your proportions since it can create the illusion of a stretched-out neck. It can also draw more attention to your neck and again the big appeal for a tank top for fat dudes is that it draws the eye to our big arms. Doesn't matter if our biceps are made of granite or a little flabby- big arms are a traditionally masculine look and we want to avoid anything that draws the eye somewhere else. Thick Straps Are Best If you take my advice on only one thing, make it this. Stick with tank tops that have thick, wide straps that match your body. Avoid the thin-strapped tanks and while it might be tempting to go for the stringer tank top like the bodybuilding bros it just doesn't make sense for a fat guy. You're big! Embrace it by wearing big clothing! The best angle for a fat guy's chest is not the side, and a loose tank or stringer tee will accentuate the look of side boob. Wider straps will keep this under control and once again bring attention to your arms. Muscle Shirt Vs Tank Tops Many guys aren't familiar with the actual difference between a tank top and a muscle shirt so let's clear that up real quick. Muscle shirts are basically just t-shirts with the sleeves cut off while tank tops consist of thinner strips and tapering under the armpit. Both can work for fat guys and while there are big differences, most people will use the terms interchangeably. I've added both muscle shirts and tank tops to this list but I'll make sure to make a distinction between the two. As far as what works better for fat guys, both tank tops and muscle shirts can work. Guys that sweat a lot from their armpits may prefer the cut of a muscle shirt since goes in a bit deeper under the armpit and can help soak up sweat. A traditional tank top, on the other hand, is relatively open under the pits and can allow sweat to drip down the body. I'm a guy that sweats profusely on my head but not much under my arms so I'm not picky about which one I grab however some guys might be. Best Tank Tops For Fat Guys Okay, now that we've got some style basics out of the way let's dive into my favorite tank tops for big dudes. We've got a little bit of everything here but we'll start with the best overall. Best Overall Tank Top: KingSize Men's Big & Tall Shrink-Less Lightweight Tank Shirt KingSize Men's Big & Tall Shrink-Less Lightweight Tank Shirt 18 different sizes to choose from Runs up to 9XL for dudes that are actually big Lightweight and loose cotton keeps big men cool Check Today's Price on Amazon It's hard to go wrong with this simple, stylish, and super-comfortable tank top from the folks at KingSize. It's made for big dudes and with sizing up to 9X it's above and beyond anything you'll be able to find off the rack. That's perfect for fat dudes that don't want to try and squeeze their belly into some snug off-the-shelf tank top. When it comes to style, it checks pretty much all the boxes we're looking for. We've got wide straps that keep any side-boob action completely under control and a comfortable but high crew neck. Since these are Tall-friendly tank tops, they've got extra length to them which is perfect for my big belly. There's nothing more annoying than a perfect fit around your neck and shoulders that still leaves your belly exposed. After all, the expression is "Suns out, guns out" and not "Suns out, guts out!" In many cases, big and tall clothing looks pretty bland. You're stuck with a couple of solid colors and not much else to choose from. But that's not the case here and you've got a ton of colors to pick from. It's also another reason why I had to pick this for the best overall spot. Of course, you've got your classic blues, blacks, and reds but you can also grab stripes or even tie-dye patterns. In short, there's a good chance you'll find a design that matches your personal style. You can check out all the style options, read reviews from other fat guys, and check today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Overall Muscle Shirt: KingSize Men's Big & Tall Shrink-Less Lightweight Muscle T-Shirt 2,075 Reviews KingSize Men's Big & Tall Shrink-Less Lightweight Tank Shirt 9 different sizes to choose from Plenty of sizing options up to 9XL Comfortable and stylish cotton fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon Even though they're very similar some guys might prefer the style of a muscle shirt over the classic tank which is why I wanted to include a great muscle shirt option towards the top of the list. If you live in fear of the sideboob, even though it's just part of being big, then the cut of a muscle shirt can keep you locked up. But more importantly, if you're a fat guy that has a lot of pit sweat, then the cut of a muscle shirt can really help soak up the sweat before it starts running down your side. As we just saw in the best overall pick, the folks at KingSize know what they're doing when it comes to making great clothing for big guys. With sizing up to 9XL, you'll be able to find what you need to not only stay comfortable but also look good. Speaking of looking good, you've got 9 styles to pick from and they're not all just variations on dark blue! They've got some tie-dyed options along with some marble patterns. I'd suggest most fat guys stay far away from gray but the heather slate blue is my go-to. You read more reviews from fellow fat guys and check today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Cotton Tank Top On A Budget: Harbor Bay 3 Pack Tank Tops If you're trying to look good without breaking the bank, Harbor Bay is a solid budget-friendly choice. You can always wear your tank top when you're out on the town but many guys like to wear them around the house or during yard work. If that's your plan, then you don't want to spend a fortune on a tank top that's going to go through some wear and tear or never be worn outside the house. That's where Harbor Bay comes into the picture. With sizing up to 8XL, these are big enough for fat guys and long enough to pass the arms up test. They've also added some extra space to the armholes so there's more space for big bodies. In other words, they check all the boxes we're looking for when it comes to a fat-friendly tank top but the most important feature is the budget-friendly price. You're not going to find the same range of styles that we've seen in our other options but that comes with the budget-conscious territory. You can choose between gray, white and black. Again, nothing fancy but that's all you need when you're hanging out at the house or mowing the lawn. Check out all the sizing options and the latest price on Amazon by clicking here. Budget Polyester Option: DEVOPS 3 Pack Men's Muscle Shirts Sleeveless Dri Fit Gym Workout Tank Top KingSize Men's Big & Tall Shrink-Less Lightweight Tank Shirt Comes in packs of three that are easy on the budget Only offers up to 3XL sizing Lightweight polyester designed for hot weather Check Today's Price on Amazon Besides showing off your guns, tank tops are supposed to keep you cool and comfortable. Whether you're working out or just walking around, sweat happens. Especially if you're a bigger guy. Polyester fabrics actually wick away water. If you want to get technical, the scientific term for this is hydrophobic which just means that fabrics like polyester repel water. Because these tank tops from DEVOPS are 100% polyester, they won't soak up your sweat and instead, they just let it ride! Which is exactly what you want if you're a big sweater since having a sweat-soaked tank top is never a good look. Again, we see everything we expect from a solid tank top for fat guys with a high neckline, wide straps, and plenty of length to keep a gut safely under the shirt. Sometimes workout tanks can get a little tight and the DEVOPS tank certainly isn't loose but it should still be a good fit for most fat dudes. You're not going to see the same color options that we saw in our best overall, but those are the kind of sacrifices that need to be made when you're going for a budget pick and it's hard to beat the affordability of these. The biggest downside here is that they only run up 3XL sizing and even just 2XL in some color combinations. That may be enough for some fat guys but others are going to need something more. We've got plenty of other options on this list, including both our best overall options, but I still wanted to mention this option from DEVOPS as a budget pick. They come ready-to-go in a pack of three and you can check today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Most Stylish Tank Top: Champion Big & Tall Men's Tank Top 391 Reviews Champion Big & Tall Mens Tank Top - Sleeveless Muscle Shirt Bright colors and unique design gives this tank extra style Sizing up to 6XL Can run a little big so size appropriately Check Today's Price on Amazon Fat guy fashion doesn't have to be boring. But you wouldn't know that from looking at most big, fat, and tall options. That's why I had to throw something on this list with a little style and this Champion tank top combines bright colors with a unique design that can mix up an otherwise drab wardrobe. I love bright colors for any kind of tropical weather and the orange is my personal favorite for hitting the beach. Just keep in mind, that these tanks are tall as well. If you've got a big belly, that shouldn't be a problem but just make sure you keep this in mind with your sizing. Unless you're over 6' 2" or so I wouldn't recommend that you get the tall option since in general, these run a little large. Also worth noting, Champion calls these both tank tops and muscle shirts in their product description and these really are a little bit of both. They've got the thinner straps you'd expect in a tank top but they've got a higher cut around the armpit which some guys will prefer. It's worth checking out some of the reviews from other fat guys along on Amazon which you can do by clicking here. Most Stylish Alternative: HSJOTT Men's Workout Basket Ball Jersey-Style Tank Tops 4 Reviews HSJOTT Men's Workout Basket Ball Jersey-Style Tank Tops 28 unique patterns including ladybugs, manatees, leopard print and more Sizing only runs up to 3XL Light, breathable fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon Maybe you want to take your style up another level...or maybe 5 more levels? This basketball jersey-inspired tank top will let you do exactly that with 28 different designs that you'd never expect or even dream up on your own. We're talking hula hooping avocados, floating wedges of cheese, and geese with a set of keys in their mouth. And that's really just scratching the surface since there are 28 different designs in total. Because they're cut like a basketball jersey, these have a higher neckline with wider straps. The armholes are a little on the tight side so watch out for that but if you're looking to fight off any potential sideboob that could actually be a positive for you. They also use the mesh-style design that you'd expect in a basketball jersey. That can mean a little more breathability for fat dudes and some guys may just prefer the look of the mesh. The only downside here is that the sizes go up to 3XL only. Again, it's tough to find unique designs beyond your basic colors in anything above an XL so while this isn't going to be an option for bigger guys it's still worth adding to this list for guys that fall within the 3XL range. You can check out all the wild designs (it's worth a look) and see today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Joke Tank Top For Fat Dude: ZeroGravitee "Dad Bod" Tank Top Dad BOD? I Prefer Father Figure Adult Tank Top in Black - Small Classic dad bod dad joke Offering sizes up to 3XL Comfortable jersey style tank Check Today's Price on Amazon There's nothing like a good novelty shirt to loosen things up. They can be great when you're just out and about but I love wearing stuff like this with friends and this funny tank top from ZeroGravittee is a great option for a summer barbeque or other get-together. It features a funny dad bod joke that most fat guys will be able to appreciate. You probably already know that it's pretty darn hard to find funny shirts in a size that actually fits and it's no different for tank tops. Most novelty shirts run in smaller batches which means they don't offer a wide range of sizes. You're usually lucky to get anything more than an XL. While ZeroGravitee doesn't offer sizes that are big enough for all fat guys, they at least go up to 3XL which covers more than most other companies. The only thing I don't love about this tank is that the collar is a little low. Just make sure you're aware of that before you buy and decide whether or not you're ready to show off your chest hair! You can check out today's price for this fun tank top on Amazon by clicking here. Best With A Hood: Champion Big and Tall Men's Sleeveless Popover Hoodie 659 Reviews Champion Big and Tall Men's Sleeveless Popover Hoodie Get the best of both worlds with a tank top and a hoodie Sizing runs up to 6XL Lightweight blend of cotton and polyester Check Today's Price on Amazon Okay, some folks might roll their eyes at tank top and with a hoodie but don't knock it until you try it! I wouldn't want to rock this look all the time but I do love it when it comes to getting in the zone at the gym. Hood up and arms out and is the perfect combination for throwing some weight around. Even if you aren't pumping iron, it's still comfortable for around the house and if you're someone who just enjoys wearing a hood from time to time this is worth checking out. This is also part of Champion's big and tall line so not only do they have extra long tall variations but they also have sizes running up to 6XL so no fat guys get left out. The colors on these hoodies are really clean and the gold looks extremely vibrant. I'm also a big fan of the white but I just know that I'd stain it before I even put it on so I'll leave that one for you guys. You can check out the four other colors and see today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Closing Thoughts From one fat guy to another, I can tell you with 100% certainly that tank tops are NOT off-limits. Will there be haters? Of course! But we love the haters, right? So don't them stop you. Just stick with a few simple guidelines to not only stay comfortable but also look your best while rocking a tank top. Beyond that, you've got tons of style options, and just in this quick selection we've seen everything from tame to wild styles and even some options with a hoodie. All with sizes up to 3XL and beyond. Which one is your favorite?

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