4 Tips for the Perfect Dress Shirt Fit
More important than the designer label or shirt fabric is the proper fit. Even the nicest and most expensive dress shirt will look sloppy if not fitted properly to the wearer's measurements. In fact, a well fitting inexpensive dress shirt will out-style any expensive designer shirt that does not fit properly. Below are four tips you should consider when either shopping for a dress shirt, or getting your existing ones altered at a local tailor.
#1: Proper Shoulder Fit
The right shoulder fit is one of the most important criteria you should consider when buying a dress shirt. The shoulder points of the shirt (the part where the sleeves start) should reach just to the end of your shoulders and not further.
#2: Proper Fit at Your Waist
Put your dress shirt on and then pinch fabric at your waist. You should be able to pinch 1-3 inches of fabric (doubled up). If you prefer a more European cut then the number should be closer to 1 inch.
#3: Cuffs
Your cuffs should be long enough to show 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch when wearing a properly fitted jacket (proper jacket fit means that the sleeves should reach just below your wrist joint when standing with your arms hanging down). The cuff should be tight enough so that you need to unbutton it to fit your hands through.
#4: Collar
Save yourself the discomfort of wearing a collar that is too tight. The right fit means that you should be able to slide two fingers between buttoned collar and your neck. The right collar fit is especially important if you prefer to use heavy starch which can cause even more discomfort and skin irritation when paired with too tight of a collar. The collar should rise high enough to show about 1/4 to maximal 1/2 inch under the jacket's collar. The style of the collar (button down, cut-away, wing-tip, detachable) is a question of personal preference and often times also dress code.
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