How to Rock a Dad Bod

It’s understandable. Years whizz by, life happens and suddenly one day you wake up with “dad bod” — a shadow of your old toned, trim self that’s instead soft, bulged and beer-bellied. Yes, aging makes a cut physique tougher to maintain, though other life demands — work, family, deadlines, lockdowns — can make it impossible. Acceptance, adapting and reinvention are part of aging well, so why not embrace the new normal? The trick is learning tips and techniques on how to flatter your shape, not shouldering the burden to fix it. Here are a few good places to start:

1. Fabrics
   Fabrics with structure have an elongating effect, so ditch the jersey knits for woven fabrics with stiffness. Pick heavier weight shirting materials that deliver a smoothing effect but not bulk, and make sure fabric finishes are always matte, not sateen.

2. Fit
   Go for a slim fit that strikes a balance between not too tight and not too loose. Keep the cut traditional and tailored with set-in sleeves to accentuate strong shoulders and make sure fit skims the body in a way that both camouflages and elongates the physique at once. If appropriate, leave the shirt untucked.

3. Color
   Dark colors are camouflaging, so try pairing a dark neutral above the waist with a light neutral below it, making sure belt matches pant color. Also consider head-to-toe monochrome for a stronger, taller and leaner look, making sure belt is the same color and not a contrasting one. Bold, bright colors add visual weight, so wear strong statement colors below the waist to balance body’s lower half to its upper half.

4. Motifs
   Use motifs strategically to either balance or camouflage the physique. Statement looks like plaid, madras or patchwork styles are best below the waist to distract away from the midriff. Above the waist try small, subtle prints with verticality to elongate the midsection. Vertical stripes always have a slimming effect, so stock up on striped shirting to ensure a variety of go-to wardrobe staples that work wonders for your shape.

5. Focal point
   Command control of where others’ eyes land by creating a focal point that distracts away from the midriff. Shop statement shirting details like color-contrasted collars or neckband trims to add visual interest that draws the gaze up and toward the face. Baseball caps work too, or try a pant hem cuff and color-contrasted shoe laces to direct focus below the waist instead.

See BestLifeOnline.com press feature here.