When people think of man boobs, or ‘moobs’ as they are also known, they generally think of them in an unfavourable light. Men don’t have breasts, people assume, yet in some instances with the right set of unfortunate circumstances men can be lumbered with man boobs.
Sometimes, men that are carrying a lot of excess body fat will struggle with man boobs as they store some of their fat on their chests. In other cases, your man boobs could be the result of genetics, or medical conditions such as gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia is a condition in which men develop breasts, the same form of breast tissue found in women. Gynecomastia can happen as a result of medication, as a side effect of drug use such as steroids, or simply due to fluctuations in hormones.
Whatever the causes of your man boobs may be, you will likely want to do everything in your power to hide your potentially embarrassing condition.
How To Hide Man Boobs
1. Patterned clothing is your friend
One of the best ways of hiding your man boobs is through proper attire. If you dress the part, your man boobs can become a distant memory. The trick is knowing what to wear.
When it comes to addressing moobs, one of the best things you can do is purchase tops and clothing that features patterns. Now, before you head out and choose the biggest, boldest, brightest pattern that you can find, there is a catch.
According to experts, it is best to choose tops that feature small and subtle patterns, which don’t feature very much in the way of a colour contrast. If you imagine small grey checks on a dark grey background, you get a rough idea of what we mean.
2. Lose weight
Okay, if your man boobs are caused as a result of gynecomastia, then weight loss will not rectify this issue. The only real way of rectifying gynecomastia is with surgery. If however, your man boobs are caused simply because you’re carrying too much body fat, you might want to think about losing weight.
Losing weight is one of the most effective ways of resolving man boobs, though as you might know, weight loss in real life isn’t as simple as it is on paper.
3. If in doubt, go for black
There’s a reason why people say that black is slimming. Black clothing, and indeed, dark clothing in general, is very slimming for the figure.
Not only that, but it’s also very useful for hiding man boobs. If you’re worried that your man boobs may be visible, black tops, or dark tops in general, are most certainly your friend.
Try to steer clear of whites and light-coloured tops, as these can accentuate your moobs and make them look even more pronounced than they actually are.
Pinstripes also work well for reducing the appearance of man boobs, though you must always remember to go with vertical pinstripes. Horizontal ones can have the opposite effect.
4. Wear thicker layers
If you’re reading this in the summer, in the midst of a heatwave, you might want to skip to the next tip. If not, though, pay close attention. One of the most effective ways of hiding man boobs is simply by wearing thicker layers.
A thick jumper, or a couple of layers of clothing for example, will work wonders when it comes to hiding your moobs. Avoid thin materials and instead look for rigid and starchy clothing, rather than thin and feathery materials that cling to your torso.
Providing it isn’t too warm, thick layers of clothing is a great way of hiding embarrassing man boobs.
5. Opt for loose-fitting clothing
Wearing loose-fitting clothing is one of the easiest ways to hide man boobs. This is because tight-fitting clothing, such as tight t-shirts or tops, can accentuate the curves and contours of your chest, drawing attention to your man boobs.
Loose-fitting clothing, on the other hand, can help to conceal your chest and create a more balanced silhouette.
When choosing clothing, look for tops and jackets that hang freely over your chest and do not cling to your body. Opt for fabrics that drape well, such as cotton, linen, or rayon.
Avoid fabrics that are too stiff or structured, such as denim or leather, as they can add bulk to your chest area.
In terms of style, you may want to experiment with different shapes and cuts to find what works best for you.
6. Nipple Tape
The most versatile and effective tool in a gynecomastia sufferer’s arsenal. Depending on the severity of your condition, nipple tape gives you the ability to ignore the given advice throughout this article and wear plain white t-shirts without concern.
Ensure you use a hypoallergenic surgical tape to minimise the risk of damaging your skin if you're planning on using this method regularly as overuse can cause discolouration and scarring.
We stock the nipple tape referenced in this post here – Gyno Tape
7. Improve Your Posture
Slouching can make man boobs more noticeable by pushing the chest forward and rounding the shoulders. Standing up straight with your shoulders back and chest slightly lifted can help create a more defined upper body shape.
Strengthening your back and core muscles through exercises like planks and rows can also improve posture over time.
8. Focus on Strength Training
Building muscle, particularly in the upper body, can help balance your physique and reduce the appearance of man boobs. Exercises like bench presses , push-ups, and dumbbell flys can help sculpt the chest.
9. Wear Layered, Structured Clothing
In addition to thicker layers, structured clothing like blazers, jackets, and overshirts can help disguise moobs by providing a more defined shape.
10. Avoid Stretchy and Clingy Fabrics
Fabrics like spandex, lycra, and other form-fitting materials can highlight the contours of your chest. Choose natural fabrics like cotton or linen that drape loosely.
BONUS TIP
Compression shapewear
Finally, saving the best until last, we have compression vests. Men's shapewear is now massively popular amongst men.
If you suffer with man boobs, a compression vest should be at the top of your list of priorities.
Not only do they help to reduce the appearance of moobs, they can also give you a slimmer, more athletic physique.
Not sure which form of compression garment would suit you best? Browse our Gynecomastia Clothing Guide to find out more.