Finding the right fit when it comes to shirts can be hard for a lot of men out there. Sometimes we think we’ve found a well-fitting shirt only to notice that it’s slightly too long or a little constricting around the shoulders or chest. This should never have to be the case, and you should never have to second guess yourself when buying a new shirt of any kind. Here’s a quick look at some things to look out for the next time you go shirt shopping.
What makes a well-fitting shirt?
There are a number of things to look out for when looking for the right fit, and it’s important to make sure you get all of them just right if you want a shirt that’s going to fit like a glove. Here’s what you should be looking for when it comes to each part of a shirt:
Shoulder- the seam where the sleeve meets the body of a dress shirt should ideally be close to the top of your shoulder. Oftentimes, the seam slides down to the arm as a result of bigger brands trying to make their shirts a little bigger to accommodate more sizes.
Collar- measured in inches from buttonhole to button when laid flat, the range for measuring the collar of a shirt is usually between 14” and 18”. An ideal fit should see you able to fit two fingers between your neck and the collar and also be able to button the collar without a struggle.
Chest- your shirt needs to fit comfortably around your chest, under your armpits, and across your upper back. When your shirt fits snuggly in these areas, you will have a full range of motion. A good test is to stand straight with your arms at your sides and see whether or not the buttons are pulling; if they are, the shirt is too tight around the chest
Sleeves- fitted shirts tend to have high armholes that allow for tapered sleeves that follow the shape of your arms without any excess fabric. When buttoned, the sleeve’s cuff should fall right at the base of your thumb.
Length- a good shirt should be long enough for you to wear it comfortably both tucked and un-tucked. When un-tucked, your shirt should fall just past the back pockets of your pants. When tucked, raise your arms and see if the shirt tails pop out from your pants, if they do your shirt is too short.
What shirt type is right for me?
They type of shirt you should be wearing is largely dictated by your body type. Here’s a quick guide for you:
V shape- when your shoulders are broader than your waist, you have a V shape body type. The shirts you should be looking for include slim fit shirts, slim cotton polo shirts, and regular V-neck T-shirts.
Triangle shape- This body type is when you are wider in the midsection than in the shoulders. The best shirts for men in this category are tailored patterned blazers, shirts with structured shoulders, and single-breasted suits.
Rectangle Shape- if your body’s proportions are roughly the same from your waist to your shoulders, you fall under the rectangle body type, and you should be looking for structured tailored blazers and suit jackets, and button down shirts that can be paired with layers such as crew neck sweaters.
Whatever your body shape is, Peter Parvez can offer you beautiful custom shirts and custom suits at a fantastic prices.