Clothing & Accessories - Live Life Big

Written by Leo Reed in Clothing & Accessories last updated April 2022 LiveLifeBig.net may earn a small commission when you use one of the links on this page to purchase. If you spend any time looking at popular media you'll see fat guys dress liked they're wearing a potato sack. You know, baggy clothes, drab colors, and a serious lack of style. But it doesn't have to be this way. Fat guys can look good just like anyone else and one of my favorite ways to level up my style is with suspenders. I'm not trying to look over the top, although that is an option, but suspenders do provide a perfect combination of style and function. When you're a fat guy, belts can really suck. They're constantly digging into your skin every time you move or bend over and suspenders can make this a thing of the past. I'm going to break down what you need to look for in a good pair of suspenders along with my 5 favorite options for you to check out. But if you just want to skip ahead and see what suspenders made the list you can check them out here: Best OverallLevi’s Men’s Big & Tall Adjustable X-Style SuspenderAdjustable up to 60-inch waist and beyond means it's ready for guys of any sizeBasic, simple and budget-friendlyClassic black design goes with almost anything9.8Check Today's Price On AmazonBest on a BudgetDickies 1.5 Inch Adjustable SuspendersOne size fits all option supports up to 42 inch waist with a larger big and tall option available6 color options with all the basics coveredEasy on the budget9.6Check Today's Price On AmazonBest Y-Style SuspendersBioterti Men’s Y-Shaped Heavy Duty Suspenders49 inches long which means these are big enough for fat dudes28 different style and color patterns to choose fromStylish Y-shape design that still uses clip on attachments9.6Check Today's Price On AmazonBest Heavy Duty Clips For Working GuysDecalen Heavy Duty BracesHeavy-duty clips to support heavy pants and most tools26 colors and styles means there's something for everyoneBattle-tested with more than 5,000 five star reviews on Amazon9.5Check Today's Price On AmazonPremium PickCheck Today's Price On Amazon Why Suspenders Are Great For Big Dudes If you're here, you're probably already part of the suspenders gang. But it's still worth mentioning a few of the big benefits of going old school with suspenders. Suspenders Are Way More Comfortable Than Belts A lot of folks assume that fat guys don't need belts or suspenders. Just because we're big, everything will always fit perfectly? I don't exactly follow the logic but I do know that I need a belt to not only keep my pants up but also keep them in place. But when you're a bigger dude, belts can be very uncomfortable. We've got a great list of belts that work well for fat guys but sometimes you want to try something different. Suspenders eliminate all the discomfort of belts and keep your pants right where they should be. That means you can bend over and sit down without having to worry about something digging into your gut. Suspenders Look Good! There are some styles that don't look good with big bodies but suspenders aren't one of them! But the big mistake most guys make is going for straps that are just too small. Similar to the guidelines we suggested for picking out the best tank tops for fat guys, you want to pick straps that are thick to match your body. As long as you avoid teeny tiny straps, most guys will love the way they look with suspenders. You Can Wear Them Under Your Shirt Maybe you didn't expect to see this as a benefit for suspenders but it's actually a great option that many guys don't always think about. Suspenders usually work really well if you've got a big belly, no butt situation (something I know all too well) but you don't always want to wear them loud and proud. The solution is dead simple: you can absolutely wear these suspenders under your shirt to keep your pants up in stealth mode. I wouldn't wear them on your bare skin, but if you already wear an undershirt you can comfortably wear suspenders without anyone knowing. That means your pants can stay high while keeping your profile low. With that in mind, don't consider suspenders a special occasion option only. If they work for you, you can really wear them any time using the under-the-shirt technique. Clips, Buttons...Or Belt? One of the most confusing parts for guys that are new to suspenders is figuring out how to attach them. You've really got three options. Clips This is exactly what it sounds like and it's when suspenders clip directly to your pants. Also called an alligator clip attachment, these are the easiest way to use suspenders but it's also the least formal. There's also a risk of damaging your pants over time as some clips can wear out the fabric. The downside for fat guys is that the attachment isn't quite as secure as some of the other options. As bigger guys, we can put more pressure on our clothing than others, especially when we sit down so you'll want to watch out for this. However, you can't beat the ease of use here so I'll definitely be including several clip options on our list. I'll also be making sure that the clips are strong enough to handle fat guys. Buttons Buttons give the most security in terms of keeping everything in place, which is great for fat guys, but they're also the most complicated. This setup requires you to attach your suspenders to buttons inside your pants. Unless the button breaks, your suspenders aren't going anywhere. However, you'll need to specifically buy pants that have a suspender attachment inside or sew your own in after you buy them. Because there are a little more complicated, I didn't end up including any of these on the list. Belt Clips Okay, this might leave some guys puzzled. After all, one of the big benefits of going the suspender route is to skip the belt, right? That's true but the belt and suspended combo can actually work really well. You can keep your belt loose and comfortable, even when sitting, while letting your suspender do the heavy lifting. It's not the go-to option for most big guys but it's going to give you a ton of security and make attaching your suspenders very easy. X vs Y Back Suspenders...What's Better For Big Guys? Most suspenders come in one of two styles: X or Y back. These are exactly what they sound like and it simply describes the style. For fat guys, there's not much difference here but take a quick look at this side-by-side comparison from the guys at JJ Suspenders: Just one look and you probably have a good idea of what looks more stylish and formal to you. Okay, the photo is definitely biased since the Y suspender guy is standing like a total stud while our X suspender example looks a little...stiff. But I'm guessing you still feel that the Y suspender style looks better overall and I'd agree. Maybe better isn't even the right word, but instead, most people would agree that the Y-style suspenders are more formal. This certainly doesn't mean you can't pull off the X-style suspenders but if you've got a formal event, your go-to option should be the Y style. I've got several X-style suspenders on the list because I think they can look great but it's worth pointing out the difference in the look between the two. Even though they do look good, the big problem with Y suspender styles more often use the button-style attachment which may not work for most pants. For that reason, you'll find a mix of both X and Y styles on this list but just consider which style you prefer if any. How To Find The Right Size Ah, yes. The constant struggle for any fat guy...actually finding the right size for your body. Most of the suspenders on this list fall into the one size fits all category but before you close this page and roll your eyes realize that they're also highly adjustable. That means it really is one size fits all and fat guys are actually included in that. Heck, our best overall pick covers up to 60-inch waists and you can probably get away with even more. In most cases, you can pick anything off this list and be good to go. I'll also specifically mention sizing and height considerations when they come up. If you're going for a more formal suspender, you'll often find that they have specific length measurements. For example, our premium pick from the folks at Suspender Store is not one size fits all and instead uses a very specific measuring system to help you get a perfect fit. You can check out their video on how to properly measure yourself here and it will also help you get a feel for how the one size fits all options will line up too: Best Suspenders For Fat Guys Now that we've got the basic background information out the way and we know what we're looking for let's dive into the good part and look at which suspenders made the list. Best Overall: Levi's Men's Big & Tall Adjustable X-Style Suspender Best OverallLevi’s Men’s Big & Tall Adjustable X-Style SuspenderAdjustable up to 60-inch waist and beyond means it's ready for guys of any sizeBasic, simple and budget-friendlyClassic black design goes with almost anythingCheck Today's Price On Amazon This X-style suspender from Levi checks all the boxes we're looking for when it comes to finding a great pair of fat guy friendly suspenders. For starters, the strap size is 1.5 inches in width, which isn't massive, but it's big enough to not look silly on a big body. These suspenders are also very adjustable and can support guys with waists up to 60 inches and beyond. That alone should give a lot of fat dude a sigh of relief! On top of that, the clips are sturdy enough to handle big bellies, even when you're taking a seat and putting some extra pressure on them. When it comes to style, Levis is keeping it simple and you're not going to win any style awards but that's not really the point. Instead, this is a no-frills, highly functional and easy-on-the-budget option for fat guys that need to keep their pants up without looking like a slob. Your only option is black, which pretty much goes with everything, but again if you want more style options, check out the other choices on this list because we've got plenty for fat guys with louder styles. If you're looking for no-nonsense suspenders with plenty of room for big dudes with big bellies, these are a good option. You can see today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best on a Budget: Dickies 1.5 Inch Adjustable Suspenders Best on a BudgetDickies 1.5 Inch Adjustable SuspendersOne size fits all option supports up to 42 inch waist with a larger big and tall option available6 color options with all the basics coveredEasy on the budgetCheck Today's Price On Amazon There's a lot of love about these Dickies brand suspenders. Not only are they easy on the budget but they've also got a few more color options to pick from compared to our best overall. You'll find all the usual dark shades along with some bright colors, too. If you're a bit of a traditionalist you can even go for the bright red which is pretty much the classic suspender color. The heavy-duty clips are prepared to handle even the biggest bellies and these puppies are actually so strong that you'll want to watch out for possible damage to your clothing from the clips. That may make some guys shy away from these, but honestly, I'd rather risk wearing out my pants than worry about them hitting the ground so I've got no problem with powerful clips. Additionally, some fat guys may be very suspicious about anything that says one size fits all....and you probably should be. But in this case, Dickies actually delivers and the standard size easily fits up to a 42-inch waist without a problem. If you are still worried, they also offer an extended size to accommodate guys of any size. Unless you're tall, the standard size will probably be plenty even if you're coming in at over 350 pounds. But if you're on the taller side, above 6 feet or so, then you should consider picking up the extended size and playing safe. You can check out all the colors, read more reviews from big guys and see today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best for Y-Style: Bioterti Men’s Y-Shaped Heavy Duty Suspenders Best Y-Style SuspendersBioterti Men’s Y-Shaped Heavy Duty Suspenders49 inches long are big enough for fat dudes28 different style and color patterns to choose fromStylish Y-shape design that still uses clip on attachmentsCheck Today's Price On Amazon If you prefer the Y-style suspenders then these are certainly worth checking out. Not only do you get the more formal Y-shape but you can also choose from 28 styles ranging from solid colors to complex designs. The simpler color patterns are great for daily wear and while some of the paisley patterns are better suited to more formal events but with 28 choices you're likely to find something that will work. What I really love about these is that they've combined the Y-style with clips that you usually see in X-shaped designs. That means you can snag a more formal look without having to pick up specialty pants or do any sewing. At 49 inches, these have plenty of room for fat or tall guys. If you're over 6'4" or 350 pounds I'd suggest one of the above options on this list (or the best overall) but if you're below that range these should do the trick. You can pick out your favorite style and find out today's price on Amazon by clicking here. Best Heavy Duty Clips For Working Guys: Decalen Heavy Duty Braces Best Heavy Duty Clips For Working GuysDecalen Heavy Duty BracesHeavy-duty clips to support heavy pants and most tools26 colors and styles means there's something for everyoneBattle-tested with more than 5,000 five star reviews on AmazonCheck Today's Price On Amazon These heavy-duty suspenders from Decalen are casual enough to be worn every day but have enough power to be used as work suspenders. If you're working in construction or any similar field, your pants might have to work double or even triple duty. Not only do you need to wear heavy pants to stay protected but you may also need to carry tools for work. On top of that, you probably have a pretty formidable belly. All that combined can be quite the challenge for most suspenders but these are built for the challenge with a big, bad, heavy-duty clip. These clips will keep your belly locked up and your pants on, even if you're carrying a good amount of tools. To be clear, these aren't tactical suspenders and if you need to carry a huge amount of tools you'll want to check out something that's purpose-built for that. Still, these are heavy-duty enough for most working guys. But these aren't just about function and there are some very unique color options here. Some of the fluorescent colors not only look good but they can also be practical if staying visible is part of your job. The straps are also a little over 1.5 inches wide which gives them a thick look. Not only does that make these suspenders stronger but the wider straps also look better on bigger bodies. These are designed to be big and tall friendly which also means they're fat guy friendly. If you're under 6 feet tall, you're pretty much in clear no matter how big of a belly you have since these are designed for heights up to 6' 4" (193 cm). If you're over 6 feet tall and around 350 pounds or more then you might be pushing it with this specific brand. In that case, check out our best overall pick which is ready for the biggest and fattest of dudes. If you want to see all the style options, read more reviews, and see today's price on Amazon you can click here. Premium Pick: Suspender Store's Classic 2-Inch Suspender Premium PickSuspender Store's Classic 2-Inch SuspenderThick 2-inch straps look awesome on big guysClean colors and simple patterns to choose fromSizing for guys up to 6'9" tall- or the equivalent size belly