If you consider yourself a fairly large man, and curious where you can buy some slimming/compression undershirts, read on. I received the following question regarding compression shirts for fat guys.
Subject: Compression shirts and/or bodysuits for obese men
Hello Tug,
I have a question I’m hoping you can answer.
To begin with, I’ve been looking into compression wear and I find that most things are geared toward men in the 250-280lbs range and I weigh 375lbs currently.
I’ve lost almost 100lbs over the last 2 years and still working to lose more.
But, I’d really like to find a shirt or even a bodysuit I could wear to boost my confidence when going out.
Here’s my issue.
Everywhere I look for men’s compression shirt, the size charts use a measurement across the chest. But, I’m bigger at my waistline than I am at the chest.
So I don’t know if I should use my chest measurement to determine the size or go up to a size that corresponds to my waist measurement and risk a baggy look at the chest because the shirt would be loose.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.
Al
Compression Shirts for Fat Guys in Sizes over 2XL
Hey Al,
Good to hear from you buddy and thanks for stopping by my site!
Here are some ways to find big and tall compression shirts that would accommodate your larger waist size:
- Check out the big men’s compression shirts listed below.
- Split the difference between your chest and waist circumference. By doing this, it might be a little tight around your waist, but also it won’t be too loose around your chest.
Hope the information helps. Keep me posted and let me know what you try and what you think about it.
Oh, and by the way — congrats man on losing 100lbs. That’s pretty freaking spectacular (:
Sweat Shaper Men’s Compression Tank (Up to 3XL)
The Sweat Shaper is a 2-in-1 men’s compression tank top. It combines weight loss with compression to give you a little more bang for your buck. When wearing the Sweat Shaper you will for sure sweat more, so it’s better used while doing some form of athletic activity.
If you wore this under your regular clothes, you may get sweat marks on them because this tank top really locks in your body heat, making your whole torso, stomach, back, and shoulders drip with sweat.
That said, it will help you shed some water weight rather quickly, so it could be a good supplement to your weight loss journey.
Where to buy: shopsweatshaper.com | Price: $29.99
Harbor Bay Compression Shirt (Up to 5XL)
The Harbor Bay Compression shirt for men is available in sizes 1x-5x. The top part is made from 100% cotton, so it will fit like a regular undershirt there.
The mid-section is made from a polyester & spandex compression fabric, so you’ll get more control there.
Where to buy: dxl.com | Price: $40
InstaSlim Big & Tall Compression Shirts (Up to 3XL)
Made from 78% nylon / 28% spandex, the InstaSlim compression shirt would be another good choice for fat or larger men.
Also, these compression shirts are made in the USA.
Where to buy: instaslim.com | Price: $53.95
Underworks (Up to 3XL)
The grand-poobah of compression shirts, Underworks is usually my goto recommendation when people are asking about quality, good performing compression shirts.
Sizes up to 3XL at the moment, but you may want to contact the company to see if they have any other compression undershirts in larger sizes.
Where to buy: Amazon | Price Range: $35-$42
Gotoly Men’s Compression Shirt (Up to 4XL)
This compression tank top from Gotoly is offered in 3 colors (beige/tan, black, white) and in sizes S-4XL.
Made from 60% Nylon / 40% Spandex. The reviews on this compression shirt are pretty good too — averaging 4.3 out of 5.
Where to buy: Amazon | Price: $22.50
Extra Tall Compression Shirts. Do They Exist?
Pulling this question up from the comments because it adds a lot of value to this topic.
I was 518lbs last year, I’m now 326.
I fit into compression shirts just fine. Buy, my problem is that they barely fit over my stomach and constantly ride up and it’s very uncomfortable. My weight was always localized in my torso and gut, so It looks bad in general.
I need a longer shirt, not necessarily a bigger one. Any idea on a company/brand that works with taller men?
So far I have tried Neleus, Under Armour, Harbor Bay, and Underworks as well as a few other off brands that seemed longer length. I get the feeling that compression shirts aren’t really meant to be longer length, but because my stomach has always been my problem area and I’ve been losing weight, it kind of hangs lower now and I really just need a longer length
– Rich
Hack Your Compression Undershirts
Heya Rich,
If you’ve tried the Harbor Bay and Underworks compression undershirts, and they’re not long enough, then we’ll have to try a hack.
I’d recommend finding a good quality cotton/spandex blend fabric, and have a seamstress, tailor, or someone else who has sewing skills, and add some length to your existing shapewear undershirts.
A decent blend to look at would be 95% cotton, 5% spandex, or a 90/10 blend.
One option would be to find an inexpensive cotton/blend undershirt in your size, like from Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, or Jockey. Buy one of those in your size, cut the bottom off, and attach it to the bottom of your Underworks or Harbor Bay compression undershirts.
In fact, if your Harbor Bay compression undershirt looks the same as the one in this article, you’ll see that is very similar to how they constructed their undershirt. They basically have an undershirt with a cotton or cotton/spandex top and bottom, and constructed a mid-section panel made from 84% polyester/16% spandex. So you could extend it the same way.
Wear Shirt Stays?
Your only other option could be to try some form of shirt stay, which are designed to prevent shirts from coming untucked.
Or, you could read my article about how to keep your shirt tucked, and see if any of the solutions there would work for you.
Hope the above information helps. Keep me posted!
This article has been updated, re-written, and republished. The original comments below have been maintained for historical purposes.
So far I have tried Neleus, Under Armour, Harbor Bay, and Underworks as well as a few other off brands that seemed longer length. I get the feeling that compression shirts aren’t really meant to be longer length, but because my stomach has always been my problem area and I’ve been losing weight, it kind of hangs lower now and I really just need a longer length
heya rich, this was such a good question, i decided to add your comment and my response to the end of the article!
check it out and let me know what you think about my suggestions (:
I’ll see what I can do, hopefully in the future a brand will add a little length for taller men/women which will also help those losing weight that need the extra length thanks to the body changes of the process. Thanks for the tips, I appreciate it a ton.
sounds good — keep me posted rich!
don’t have much hope since this is an older article.. But I have an issue.. i was 518 last year, I’m now 326. I fit into compression shirts just fine.. my problem is that they barely fit over my stomach and constantly ride up and it’s very uncomfortable.. My weight was always localized in my torso and gut, so It looks bad in general. I need a longer shirt, not necessarily a bigger one. Any idea on a company/brand that works with taller men?
I am now 326lbs*
heya rich, thanks for stopping by and posting your question!
what compression shirts have you tried? have you tried any on this list?
I hit reply but it sent as a new comment, sorry about that
Iv had weight lost surgery iv lost over a hundred pounds so far I’m looking for a compression shirt that will help me support excess fat I’m a 5x now can I get some help on finding a compression shirt
hey jackie, so sorry for missing your comment & question. congrats on the weight loss.
it’s been a while since you posted your comment, so i’m curious as to whether or not you found a 5xl compression shirt that met your needs. if so, i’d love to hear what you found and what you think about it.
have you lost more weight since february?
oh, and i just did a major update to this article providing several current compression shirts for big or fat men.
Hello Tug, I have a question. I’m a large guy (345lbs) and would it make sence to buy one or two sizes down because if I buy my normal size it won’t do anything whereas if I bought to sizes down it will have a better effect? Do you see what I mean. I could be wrong. Thanks for time
– Roman
heya roman, good to hear from you buddy!
my recommendation is to follow the size charts of the manufacturer, which is normally based on chest & waist for slimming/compression shirts.
if you size down too much, it’ll be too small for you to put on (:
Hello. I’m a pretty big guy. I was 473 last year and now I’m 382.
I’ve been looking for tank tops and under shirts that can help compress my large waist line. Something to cover it up under a nice shirt.
I can’t find anything anywhere. I wear 4xlt and 3xlt.
If I went to a 2xlt I think would be good. But any where I can get it online?
Some places say they can help but when I get them, it’s not what I’m looking for. Any ideas?
heya johnny, good to hear from you buddy and thanks for your question!
first off…way to go on the amazing weight loss!!!
a super big congratulations to you, and keep up the great work (:
as far as big size men’s shapewear, i’d recommend checking out underworks.com.
they have 2xl, 3xl, and 4xl
also, checkout the tank top shaper from “leo” (leonisa for men) on amazon that has larger sizes:
http://amzn.to/2sC4JL1
there is also a brand called coreform that has larger sizes on amazon:
http://amzn.to/2sC5gwu
hope the information helps my good man (:
let me know if you have any other questions!
They have big, an they have tall.. but they don’t have BIG AND TALL body slimmers.
I would be interested in a similar product but for work and not the gym. Any suggestions?
heya ken!
most compression/shaping/slimming undershirts can be used both at the gym or for dailywear.
the most notable players in this space are underworks and spanx for men — check them out!
These look really good … I will recommend these to my readers. Thanks!
thanks chad!
just curious — are your readers big/tall in nature? if so, i do have some other articles here on my site that would be helpful also.
hey Tug, first id like to say i love your site here just discovered it tonight. i have just recently started working out and trying to get my sh*t together again after having serious bouts with depression due to a few tragic events a few years back. during this time i just let myself go and all the muscle i had has now turned into fat the most annoying part would be in the chest area that being said, can you recommend something that would compress that area really good? want something that will hold the man boobs down while running on treadmill so people will stop staring at me
thank you in advance
Chef Rick
hey chef, thanks for stopping by the site and posting your question! since you’re looking for a chest compressor undershirt that will perform well at the gym, i’d recommend you focus on purchasing ones that are made from a moisture-wicking fabric like polyester or nylon.
the spanx zoned performance and equmen lines are great performing technical compression undershirts, but at the same time so are the products from underworks, instaslim, gc2, and ardyss. to be really honest, i don’t think you’d be disappointed with any of the ones i’ve mentioned, or you might want to check out the products listed on mensworx.com. they have a selection of slimming undershirts from the brands listed above, and one or two more.
remember, focus on the ones made from poly or nylon first, since you want to wear them to the gym. also, if you’re not sure which to choose, i’d recommend going from least expensive up.