How a Dress Shirt Should Fit A Visual Guide
[0:00:00] Fit is one of the most important characteristics
of a great looking dress shirt.
A bad fit can make a $200 dress shirt looked sloppy.
A great fit can make a $20 dress shirt looked amazing.
Fit is key.
In today’s video, we’re going to discuss how a dress shirt should fit.
To start let’s talk about the dress shirt collar.
A collar job is to frame your face.
If it can’t accomplish this your whole outfit is going to look unbalance.
If the collar is too small, you’ll know it.
It will pinch your skin and feel uncomfortable.
If a shirt collar is too large it will leave a noticeable gap enough to fit about four
fingers in.
A proper size collar will let two fingers fit comfortably in between your neck and your
collar.
Next let’s go over the width of the dress shirt shoulders.
If the shoulder point is hike up your shoulder towards your neck, it’s too small.
Don’t even think of buying it.
If the shoulder points are down your arm then the shoulders are too large.
It’s not worth tailoring so pass on this shirt.
Perfect fitting shirt shoulder will lie comfortably on the shoulder and the shoulder points hit
where the arm meets the shoulder thus ensuring freedom of movement.
Now let’s talk about the shirt’s midsection fit.
If the chest or torso of your dress shirt is too tight, you’ll notice.
The buttons will pull.
Try a size larger.
If a dress shirt midsection is too loose, the fabric is going to bellow around your
waist or your chest.
Although, you can tailor to adjust, you want to maybe try sizing down or try another brand
to try to get the best fit possible.
A perfect torso and chest fit will taper down the midsection following your natural silhouette.
Very few shirts do this right off the rack.
I advise working with a tailor to get your shirts adjusted to fit perfectly.
Next stop let’s cover the sleeve width.
If you find the sleeves are constricting your movement they’re too tight.
Go for a regular or a looser cut.
If the shirt sleeves are sagging around your arms with more than three inches of fabric
then they’re too loose and they need to either be brought in or size it down.
The proper sleeve width will fit close enough to your arm to not restrict movement and have
still about 1-2 inches of fabric.
Now let’s go over the fit of the shirt cuff.
If the shirt cuff fits tightly around your wrist, it’s too small.
Consider moving the button or looking for a larger size.
If you can easily fit your hand through the cuff when buttoned, you’ll need to size
down or move the cuff button to tighten it.
The proper size shirt cuff will fit close while not allowing you to remove your hand
without unbuttoning them.
If you normally wear a watch, size the cuff in accordance with the watch.
Now it’s time to talk about the sleeve length.
If the sleeve ends above the wrist bone it’s too short.
You’re going to need to find a different brand that has longer sleeves.
If the dress shirt sleeves cover the heel of your hand, they’re too long.
You will need to get them shorten.
The proper dress shirt sleeve length will just cover the wrist bone.
Now let’s go over the length of the shirt tail.
If the shirt barely covers your belt line, it’s too short.
You’re going to need to find a different brand or size up on that shirt.
If the dress shirt extends beyond your crotch, it’s too long.
Although not a serious problem, a tailor can shorten this shirt.
Proper dress shirt length will end a few inches below the belt allowing the shirt to stay
tucked in when you raise your arms.
Notice that no shirt off the rack is probably going to fit you perfectly.
Take it to a tailor.
Get it adjusted to fit your body.
Want more information.
Want to see this video as an infographic.
Want to know how a suit should fit or maybe 18 ways to tie a necktie then go to realmenrealstyle.com
and discover all of our free tutorials so you can dress your best every day.
[0:04:04] End of Audio