How Should A Dress Shirt Fit Your Body?
Most men fail to get the proper fitting of the dress shirt because they don't know what parts of the dress shirt are to be considered while selecting the best-fitted shirt. If you look around, you will see that most men are wearing 1 to 2 size large dress shirts that not only look awkward but also ruins your image and makes you feel uncomfortable. No doubt a dress shirt only looks graceful if you are wearing it correctly with appropriate fitting according to your body. In this article, I am going to elaborate on how a dress shirt fits your body and what parts of the dress shirt are to be focused on to get the right fitting. Let's start with what we have in the details below.
How Should A Dress Shirt Fit Your Body?
The guide answers how a dress shirt fits your body by elaborating on the part of the dress shirt that you should consider and how it should fit according to your body size to make it appropriate for fitting. Following are some of the essential parts of the dress shirt that you should consider to get the dress shirt of your size.- Collar
- Shoulder
- Chest
- Sleeves And Sleeve length
- Cuff
- Bottom Hem Length
Collar
The collar is the first and foremost important thing to pay attention to when purchasing a dress shirt. Collar size is basically measured in inches and is measured from button hole to button when you put the shirt flat. The range of the collar size lies between 14 inches to 18 inches. Make sure to measure your collar size in such a way that you can button up the collar, and it still has space for two of your fingers to fit. It should not be very tight, neither should it be very loose.Shoulder
Now, focus on the shoulders of the dress shirt. The seams where the body of the dress shirt is attached to the sleeve should be precisely at the top of your shoulders. It should not be sliding down, nor should it be tightened up towards your neck. If it is sliding down, it means your shirt is larger than your actual size. Alternatively, if it is riding up towards your neck, it shows that your shirt is exceptionally tight or a size smaller than your size. Keeping in mind this, you have to make sure that the shirt you are purchasing is exactly your size and that the seam between your sleeve and the body of the shirt lies at the top of your shoulders.
Chest
You need to make sure that the dress shirt you're purchasing is comfortable around your chest. It should make you feel comfortable and convenient not only across the upper back but also under the armpits and all around the chest. Make sure it fits you in a way that allows you to move freely and easily. It should provide you with a range of motions. Moreover, try your best not to go with a shirt that is too tight as it can create wrinkles around the button holes that not only look bad but also ruin your personality. Furthermore, never go for a shirt that is very loose around your chest. The size of the dress shirt is considered right when you have no problem fitting while buttoning up the shirt. If you do not find the shirt of your size, try going with another brand or trying a size up or down.Sleeves And Sleeves Length
Now is the time to focus mainly on sleeve length and sleeve fitting size. When it comes to length, you have to make sure that the sleeves of the dress you are purchasing and wearing are of appropriate size. It should come all the way down to the wrist bone. You have to make sure that they are not very long, that they extend towards the palm of your hand, and that they are very short like they are disappearing underneath the jacket's sleeves. Also, make sure the wrist bones are not left exposed because of the short length of the sleeves. So remember to purchase the dress shirt in which the shirt cuff is around half inches visible beyond the jacket you are wearing on top of your dress shirt. Similarly, when it comes to sleeve fitting, you have to make sure that they are comfortable on your biceps and arm. Make sure the dress shirt you are purchasing is not very tight; otherwise, it will create a pinching feeling whenever you move your arm. Also, it should not be very loose because the excess fabric will bunch up together near the cuff area. The fitting of the sleeves should be appropriate. You should be able to move your arms comfortably. They should be slightly wider from the biceps area for about 1 to 2 inches. Make sure the sleeve length and sleeve fitting are giving you full freedom of movement.Cuffs
To get the right size of your dress shirt, another important thing that you have to pay attention to is the fitting of the cuffs. They should not be very loose, nor they should be very tight. They should fit closely to the body so that it looks tight, but ensure to leave about half-inch to one-inch space between the wrist and fabric. Make sure that the cuffs are in such a fitting that they allow putting on and taking off of the sleeves without unbuttoning them.Bottom Hem Length
The appropriate length of the dress shirt is a few inches below the belt line. This length makes sure that your shirt stays tucked in even when you raise your arm or move it upward. You have to make sure that the shirt length is of appropriate size to make it look nice and decent. In case you are not tucking in the shirt, you have to make sure that the bottom hem length is enough to cover the belt area.FAQs
Should a dress shirt be tight or loose?
The dress shirt should not be very tight, nor should it be very loose. Check the collar size and make sure that the collar, when buttoned up, has room for two of your fingers to fit in. Tight dress shirts worsen your look; alternatively, loose shirts create a bunch of excess cloth below your waistline.
How do I look less fat in a dress shirt?
Try to wear darker shades of colors like purple, brown, black, and blue. They create the illusions of slimming and hide the body shape flaws.
Should I size up or down for dress shirts?
Keep this in your mind, and make sure to purchase the dress shirt that is the most comfortable for you. Ensure the shirt you are purchasing has a collar size that allows you to put two fingers inside easily. Your collar should not be very tight, nor should it be very loose, so consider the dress shirt of your appropriate size and never go with a size up or down if you're comfortable.