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Find yourself a perfectly fitted shirt and you can conquer the world; get it wrong, and well, you’re heading towards a sartorial disaster. To avoid such a catastrophe – and to help you understand how a men’s formal shirt should fit – we’ve put together this handy (Savile Row certified) guide.
How Your Shirt Collar Should Fit
Seeing as your collar is going to be on show the most, it’s vital that it fits correctly. Not only will it play its part in creating an outfit that is noticeably well balanced, but it will ensure you have invested in a shirt that is comfortable to wear. To test that you have made the right choice, try sliding two fingers in between your neck and collar without having to force them in. If you can’t, it’s too tight. Alternatively, if the collar doesn’t touch your neck at all, and you can put your fingers in without moving the cloth, it’s too big.
How Your Shirt Should Fit On Your Shoulder
Next up, we have the shoulders. Quite simply, if your formal shirt fits properly, then the shoulder seam should meet the corner of your shoulder bone, not shifting towards your neck (too tight) or slumping off your shoulders (too big).
How Your Shirt Should Fit Your Torso
If you’re a regular commuter, we can pretty much guarantee you’ve seen your fair share of ill-fitting shirts – including that gentleman on the train with the bulging buttons. Guess what? His shirt doesn’t fit. To ensure yours does, the torso should be slim and easy to button, whilst not giving away any more than three or four inches of fabric when you pull the shirt from your chest or stomach. As for length, your shirt should end a few inches after the beltline – allowing it to stay tucked in when you move or raise your arms.
What About Your Shirt Sleeves
What about your sleeves? These should be slightly wider at the bicep, with a smooth, even taper down to the cuff. They shouldn’t pinch at the elbow or shoulders, nor should they slack so much that they start to naturally create folds of material. The length? You’ll want them to end right at the base of your palms – nothing shorter or longer will work.
Where Your Cuffs Should Sit
As for cuffs, they must fit close to the wrist, whilst still offering enough space to comfortably move. As a test, try and pull off the shirt without unbuttoning the cuffs. If you can – and hardly any wrinkles are formed – you’ve got a shirt that fits.
