One of the biggest complaints men have about their clothes is the way their shirts fit. It doesn’t matter if the shirt is from a big brand like Luciano Barbera or from a smaller brand. Many men find it very difficult to get the exact fit of their dress shirts. To ensure that the next time you shop for a shirt it fits you well, follow these simple tips.
- The most important thing is the necklace. You have to measure your neck before buying a new shirt. It is vital that you do this regularly. Your weight does change, and you may find that half an inch will make a big difference.
- Most fashion houses produce their shirts in half inch increments. If your neck is 17 inches, you should probably buy a shirt that has a 17 and a half inch neck. The shirt material will shrink. Although most brands claim their shirts are pre-shrunk and won’t shrink, it can and does happen. You must take this into account. When the top button of your shirt is buttoned, you should be able to slip at least one finger under the collar. Some people advocate two.
- If you’re in the store, don’t just read the numbers and think the jersey will fit you. Take a moment and try on the shirt. The neck should be snug, but you should be able to turn your head comfortably. Tuck your chin in toward your chest and see if you feel like the shirt is suffocating you. If so, get a half size larger.
- The next thing to consider is the length of the sleeve. The correct way to get a sleeve measurement is to start at the back of the neck and go to the shoulder and then down the arm. You should stop measuring at the wrist bone. An extra inch is preferable to a sleeve that is too short. If you intend to wear a jacket, you want the sleeve cuff to show through.
- When you put the shirt on the sleeve, it should go at least to the wrist bone and maybe to the top of the thumb if you like a slightly longer look.
- The width of the sleeve and cuff is also very important if you want the shirt to feel comfortable, especially if you are going to wear it under a jacket. If there is too much material in the sleeve, it will bunch up and collect on the jacket.
- The last thing to consider is the torso of the shirt. Many French and Italian shirts are tapered to give a slimmer, more trim appearance. This is fine as long as the buttons on the front don’t appear to be pulled to the sides. You never want the shirt to look like the buttons are coming off at any moment. Also, you don’t want the shirt to open when you move.
Lastly, be sure to bring the jacket you intend to wear when shopping for a shirt. This will give you a very good idea of not only how the shirt will look with the jacket on, but also how the shirt will feel with the jacket on.
