How should shirt fit

How Should a Dress Shirt Fit? Your 10-Step Checklist

If you want your shirt to look good on you, then you have to know how a dress shirt should fit.

Getting the fit right is critical.

Without the right fit, you can get everything else right, but you’ll still look like crap wearing it. Without the right fit, you got nothing.

So how should a dress shirt fit? Do you know how to check?

The information you can get about it is often vague, it can leave you with questions, and it often comes without visuals.

Well, today I’ll give you a sample from my e-book — Style Made Simple — that will show you ten different ways to check if your shirt has the right fit, so you never have to wonder again.

The Difference Fit Makes

I can keep telling you how important it is to wear fitting clothes, but I thought pictures would tell it better.

Just В look at the difference between these shirts fit, worn untucked and worn tucked. You’ll see the difference between a dress shirt in the right fit and when a dress shirt’s too big.

Shirts like the white one are only useful when your girlfriend’s into pirate role-play.

Now, you may think the white shirt’s fit is an extreme example of bad fit, but you’d be surprised how many guys are walking around in similarly ill-fitting clothes.

Hopefully that doesn’t include you. But if it does, we’ll fix that today.

The Perfect Fit for Dress Shirts

Before we move on, you need to know that off-the-rack shirts are nearly impossible to find in your perfect fit.В Something will always be off.

When the sleeves are perfect, the waist is too baggy. When the waist is perfect, the chest is too tight. When the chest is perfect, the sleeves are too long.

You should count on something always being off. Because otherwise you’ll end up wasting too much time trying to find that perfect-fitting shirt. And you’ll still be unlikely to find it.

So, How Do You Get the Perfect Fit for a Shirt?

You need to ensure the shirt fits in three key areas — chest, shoulders and neck — and then try to get as much right as possible.

The rest of your shirt can be easily altered by a tailor, and won’t cost so much. But your chest and shoulders are mostly unalterable. And collars can be altered, but it’s hard to do without ruining the shirt, and thus costs more.

“But can’t I just use the money to buy another shirt?”

Yeah, you can. But like I said, perfect fit is nearly impossible to find. So if you use the money to buy another gorgeous business casual shirt instead, you’ll just end up with two ill-fitting shirts instead of one that does fit.

And if that still sounds like a better deal, then you need to cram this into your head:

One shirt that fits is worth ten that do not.

Ill-fitting shirts are worthless. They’re garbage.

You’re not getting two shirts for the same price as getting one and having it tailored. You’re getting two pieces of crap.

They’re not worth the money, unless you get them fixed.

And if you find a shirt that fits everywhere, except the waist or sleeves, then getting those altered can be done for a very fair price.

Shirt Fitting Guide: How Should a Dress Shirt Fit?

So when you’re in the store, trying your shirt on, what do you look for? How do you determine the shirt is worth your money?

The checklist below will show you how to tell if a shirt is too small or too large.

Here’s what you do:

1. Check the shoulder seams first.

They should rest at the edge of your shoulders. Not on top, and not over them.

If your shirt fails here, no need to check the rest. It’s doomed.

2. Check the buttons

Are the buttons pulling at the fabric to try and reach each other?

Is the fabric of your shirt coming apart between the buttons?

Bad sign! Your shirt’s too tight.

3. Put two fingers between your neck and your collar

If you can’t fit two, the collar is too tight. If you can fit more than two, your collar’s too large.

Index and middle finger, guys. Pinkies don’t count!

4. Hold up your left arm, and pinch the fabric together at your sides

You should be able to pinch around 2-3 inches. Any more than that, and it’s too large. Any less and it’s too tight.

Note how the left picture also looks more depressing. Bad fit at work, guys..

5. Feel how much room you have in the sleeves

Are your dress shirt sleeves too baggy? You don’t want to have too much excess fabric in your sleeves. They should be tight, but not too tight. You should be able to bend your arm without feeling the fabric stretch. Armholes should be as high as possible without restricting movement.

Also important when your shirt isn’t see-through.

6. Check your dress shirt’s sleeve length when you let your arms hang by your sides

How long should your sleeves be?

Sleeves should end by your thumb dimple. If you don’t understand where your dimple is, glide your finger across the side of your wrist, and feel for an indent.

Sidenote: If any of you are looking for good hand-models, I’m available. Left: Too long. Middle: too short. Right: As it should be.

7. В Raise your arms in front of you

If you feel the fabric stretch in the back, the shirt is too tight.

If you were turned into a zombie, would the back of your shirt survive?

8. If you plan on wearing your shirt tucked (some or all of the time), tuck it in when trying it on. Raise your hands above your head and see if it stays tucked

9. Pretend to tie your shoelaces, and see if the shirt stays tuckedВ

10. If you plan on wearing the shirt untucked, raise your arms and make sure none of your belly is exposed

Side-note: You can perform these checks at the tailor too, before he gets to work on your shirt, and make sure he doesn’t make it too tight.

Now Go Find Some Well-Fitting Shirts

You now know how dress shirts should fit, so go get some. And don’t forget to check the shoulders, chest and neck first.

And, before you go on a shirt shopping-spree, check your wardrobe. Maybe you already have a few shirts that fit in the key areas, and you can get them tailored into perfection.

Wearing a great-fitting shirt will make you look and feel so much better. You won’t even believe what wonders it does for your confidence.

Prepare for many compliments.

And if you’re interested in getting more advice like this, then you want to get on the launch list of my upcoming e-book: Style Made Simple. Sign up below for more information and more free samples.

How Should A T-Shirt Fit?

When I first start working with clients, I always get pushback when I utter the next sentence, but they later admit I was right when they’re getting complimented all the time.

These rules apply to all men, no matter your age or body type. So trust me on these rules. I’m here to make you look amazing, not like some doofus who’s trying too hard.

Neck Opening

Crew necks are pretty standard, but just make sure it doesn’t fit too tight around your neck, or too loosely. If the collar looks stretched out or you can see some of your shoulder when wearing, that’s too loose.

If you’re wearing v-necks, you need to avoid deep v’s at all costs. Man cleavage is just… no. Some brands will have deeper v’s than others, so be wary of how deep it is. Just make sure the bottom point of the “v” doesn’t go past the top of your armpits and you’ll be fine.

Sleeves

The sleeves should hit around mid-bicep and lightly hug your arms. The sleeves shouldn’t be too tight where it looks like your biceps are being strangled. The image below has sleeves that are perfectly hitting the right place and hugging the arm to perfection.

You also don’t want there to be bunch of slack or room around the bicep, either. That just looks cheap and tacky and makes your arms look really small in the worst way possible. If the t-shirt fits well everywhere else, have your tailor slim the sleeves to fit your arms better. I have to do this with clients all the time.

Body/Torso

Like I say in all my shirting videos & articles, the perfect fitting t-shirt will be when you can pinch (not pull) between 1 to 2 inches of fabric on either side of your stomach, like the image above. This goes for EVERY SINGLE BODY TYPE. A lot of my larger clients fight me on this… until the compliments start rolling in. 🙂

Length

The shirt should end somewhere between upper to mid crotch. I would rather it be closer to mid-crotch than upper-crotch because this avoids showing stomach when reaching up for things and allows it to be lightly tucked into the front of your belt/pants to break up your proportions – if you want.

The Best T-Shirts For Men

See my T-Shirt Essential Article for my favorite t-shirts that every man should own.

How a T-shirt Should Fit: The Ultimate Guide To Choosing the Right Style and Size

Imri Merritt

February 17, 2022

Design Custom Gear

Personalize a custom t-shirt with our easy-to-use Design Studio

Choosing the right T-shirt can be a challenge, and finding the perfect T-shirt is an ongoing mission, even for those of us in the industry. There are dozens of major brands, which combined add up to hundreds of styles. Choosing the right fabric is a big part of it, and I’ve covered that in-depth, but another big part is choosing the right fit. Because not all fits are created equal.

You’d think the fit of a humble T-shirt would be a simple affair, but there’s a lot that goes into it. In this post, I’ll go over the different terminology, the difference between side-seamed and tubular, the difference between fashion fit and standard fit, give you some principles of what makes a great fit for a T-shirt, and finally some recommendations for you.

This post will focus on men’s tees, which are also sometimes called unisex.

What is unisex style?

In the T-shirt world, when you see the word unisex, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it was specially designed to fit both men and women. It can just mean that there is not a women’s (or ladies’) version of that particular garment. And if it doesn’t specify men’s or ladies’, then it’s a standalone style– aka unisex. Meaning a men’s cut that can also be worn by women.

Historically, T-shirts have been a garment for men. They first were used as underwear and distributed to members of the US Navy, with other branches of the military following suit. Movies in the 1950s popularized wearing the T-shirt by itself, with Marlon Brando and James Dean personifying this carefree and masculine look. These days, T-shirts are for everyone.

Especially pickle people.

What about the fit of women’s styles?

While men’s and unisex tees only have a few different fits, women’s styles have a wide variety, with new styles coming out every year. The world of women’s tees is much more vast and complex, so I’ll be exploring that topic in a separate post.

The two main categories of T-shirt fit

When talking about different fits in the blank T-shirt market, the first thing to know is that different brands use different terms, and they don’t always line up with each other– that’s why we have an entire sales team devoted to helping our customers sort this stuff out every day. But overall, they can be divided into two broad categories: standard and fashion.

Standard fit (or classic fit) T-shirts

Standard fit gained popularity in the ’80s and ’90s, featuring a generic construction that tends to be more boxy and roomy, lacking the tailoring and tapering of their fashion fit counterparts. Standard fit tees are the safer way to go if you’re buying a bulk order that needs to work for a variety of body types. This style can be a more forgiving look for heavy-set people.

Fashion fit (or slim-fit) T-shirts

Also simply referred to as “fitted”, this cut has been designed to contour to the body more closely, with less bagginess and more form-fitting lines around the shoulders, arms, and torso. The arms have a snugger fit and the sleeve length tends to be shorter. This is also known as “retail fit” although it can fall somewhere in between standard and fashion.

How should a T-shirt fit?

The first and most important thing to getting the right fit is to choose the proper size. Most men tend to choose one size too big (or bigger) for reasons of comfort. But when it comes to looking your best in a T-shirt, it’s much more flattering to wear the size that fits best.

Here’s a sizing chart I made with photos of my co-worker James. Take a look at the differences and think about what qualities you should be looking for to determine your correct size.

For James, MEDIUM looks good, but as you can see, there is some bunching under the armpits. LARGE is the way to go, considering these shirts have not been washed yet. That should shrink it just enough to bring in the looseness around the waist and make the length come up an inch or two. Keep potential shrinkage in mind if you’re going with 100% cotton, but even polyester can shrink.

Below are the top six characteristics of a well-fitting T-shirt, followed by an infographic that you can use for future reference. Now, you might think this is a subjective judgment based on personal preference, but at this point, there is an established set of criteria to consider when you try on a tee. Established by who, you ask? Fashion people! Just go with it.

Shoulder

The shoulder seam should line up with the end of the shoulder bone, where it meets the top of the arm. If it droops over the edge, the shirt is probably too big. If the seam lands in the area before the curve of the shoulder starts, the tee is too small.

Sleeves

The hem of a sleeve should fall at the middle of the bicep, should hug the arm, without flaring out more than two inches. Standard or classic fit tees tend to have bigger armholes that flare out. Slightly longer sleeves can work for taller people.

Length

A T-shirt should cover the waistline and fall at the hips, which is about halfway down the fly. This length can vary a few inches based on a person’s height, but it should never go past the top of the inseam, or it starts looking like a nightgown.

Collar

The neckline should sit flat, just above the collar bone, without being too loose or too light. Standard/classic-fit tees tend to have bigger, wider collars than fashion/slim fit. A V-neck can fall just below the clavicle. Men should avoid “deep” V-necks.

Chest

The chest area should be more form-fitting than the lower half, but there should be no stretching, or bunching under the armpit area. This is where the tapering construction of fashion fit tees do a great job of hugging the body better.

Torso

The torso should taper in slightly to contour to the body, rather than straight or bulking out. Side-seamed shirts provide this fitted look, while their standard/classic-fit counterparts tend to have a boxier, baggier shape around the torso.

Tubular T-shirts vs Side-Seamed

There are two main ways in which T-shirts are constructed, and can determine the way it fits. T-shirts were originally constructed with side seams until the tubular technique came along and took over the market with their efficiency, consistency, and lower manufacturing cost. Now side-seams are gaining back popularity. So which is better?

Many people will say that side-seamed construction is the way to go because of its superior fit, others say that tubular tees are totally fine. Both types of construction are widely available. Here’s a quick look at the differences between them.

What is a tubular T-shirt?

Tubular tees are made with a tube of fabric that becomes the torso of the shirt, with the neck and arms sewn in. This style tends to be cheaper than side-seamed because there is less sewing involved and it’s easier to produce. The trade-off is a generic, inferior fit– because the human body is not shaped like a tube. At least I don’t know anyone shaped like a tube.

Yeah, I don’t know him.

Another big issue besides fit is something called “torquing” which is the garment starting to twist, particularly after washing and drying. Because it doesn’t have the side seams to support the structure of the garment, it can make any custom print look misplaced and have you walking around with a lop-sided look. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it’s not the best look.

One benefit of no seams (other than the cheaper price point) is you can use the side as a print area since there is no seam there. Side seams make side prints almost impossible because of the ink deposit that happens at the seam. Also not a good look. So if you’re looking for a unique print location on the side of your tee, there’s only one way to go: totally tubular.

Tubular T-shirt construction. Source: SpectraUSA

What is a side-seamed T-shirt?

Side-seamed tees are exactly what you would think: they are constructed with seams that run down the underside of the sleeves and down the torso of the shirt. They take longer to manufacture than tubular shirts and so the price point is slightly higher. Most T-shirts were produced this way until the technique of using tubular sheets of fabric came along.

The fit is superior to tubular and allows for a “fashion fit”, essentially allowing for contoured tailoring that hugs the body better. Side seams also make it easier for printers, because the seams can be used as guidelines when lining up the tees on a palate, leading to more consistent print placements through the course of a run. So it’s a win/win. So much winning.

Side seams came back with the rise of American Apparel in the ’90s when the innovative and infamous company pioneered the “fashion fit” look. Their tees were more tailored and flattering than the competition, and soon American Apparel had set a new standard in T-shirt construction, with competing brands following their lead and many going side-seamed.

Still, side-seamed T-shirts are the minority compared to tubular (also called circular) construction, especially in the custom printed world. Generally speaking, when shopping for your own order of T-shirts to get printed, look for the words “side-seamed” in the product description. If it doesn’t say those words, chances are it’s a tubular construction. But not always.

RushOrderTees recommends…

Choosing the right T-shirt can be a daunting task with so many brands and styles to choose from, so I’m going to narrow it down to three recommendations (good, better, best) in each of three categories: standard fit tubular, fashion fit tubular, and fashion fit side-seamed. If you still can’t decide, call us and one of our product experts can guide you to the right choice.

Standard fit tubular tees

Good: Gildan UltraCotton® (G200)
One of our best-selling T-shirts, the Gildan G200 is the go-to choice for those who want a durable tee with a great print surface and an affordable price point. It’s 6.1 oz, 100% cotton and comes in a wide variety of colors.

Better: Fruit of The Loom HD Cotton® (3930)
Another favorite, the FOTL 3930 is 100% cotton and slightly lighter than the Gildan at 5 oz. It has something called “high-density” fabric for exceptional print quality, plus a tear-away tag and an assortment of color choices.

Best: Hanes Beefy-T® (5180)
One of the standard tees of the industry, the Hanes Beefy-T lives up to its name with 6.1 oz 100% cotton and high-quality construction, a tear-away tag, shoulder-to-shoulder taping, a lay-flat collar, and all the colors.

Fashion fit tubular tees

Good: Gildan Softstyle® (G640)
Mega-company Gildan has put their industry experience into making their own “semi-fitted” T-shirt. It’s 4.5 oz, 100% ringspun cotton for an excellent print surface, with rolled shoulders and a 3/4″ neck.

Better: RushOrderTees Classic Tee
This one has become the RushOrderTees standard, and customers are loving them. Also 4.5 oz ringspun cotton for great prints and a “contemporary” fit with a narrow collar, slightly rolled shoulders, and tear-away tag.

Best: American Apparel® Fine Jersey Tee (2001)
The pioneer of fashion fit tees with a tubular version of their insanely popular item. At 4.3 oz it’s the lightest of the bunch, with combed ringspun cotton, 30 singles, shoulder-to-shoulder taping and a satin tag.

Fashion fit side-seamed tees

Good: Next Level (3600)
An outstanding and well-made shirt, this is one of my favorites and one of our in-house go-to’s. 4.3 oz 100% combed ringspun cotton, 32 singles, pre-laundered, tearaway tag, tons of colors.

Better: BELLA+CANVAS® Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee (3001)
Hands down one of the best companies making T-shirts today and this one is top of the line. 4.2 oz 100% Airlume combed and ringspun cotton, shoulder taping, tearaway tag, and all the colors.

Best: American Apparel USA Made Short-Sleeve Track T-Shirt (TR401)
Throwing a tri-bend into the mix here. Great fit, super soft and lightweight at 3.7 oz w/ 50% cotton, 25% polyester, and 25% rayon, and made in the USA. Colors are limited and mostly heathered.

If you’re still not clear on side-seamed vs tubular, here’s a great little video from our friends at Bella+Canvas to help break it down. They love side-seams so much it’s all they do. We’re making our own video about it, so look for that soon.

If you have any T-shirts that don’t fit anymore or never fit right in the first place, it’s time to get some new tees! And don’t throw away the old ones, there are plenty of other things you can do with your old clothing. Need to create a design for your order? Use our Design Studio to get started now!

Imri Merritt

About the Author

A graduate of the Multimedia program at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Imri Merritt is an industry veteran with over 20 years of graphic design and color separations experience in the screen printing industry.

Men’s Shirt Fit Guide [Know Different Types and How they Fit]

“The Joy of Dressing is an Art”

When buying a shirt, what do you think is the most important criteria?

A lot of you might say its the brand, price, the color, the fabric, fit etc. But the right answer IS and SHOULD BE the ‘FIT’.

Finding the perfect fit is key since it is paramount to looking your best. The fit factor is capable of making or breaking the whole look!

A well fitted shirt can accentuate your positive physique features, creating a flattering silhouette just the same way an ill fitted one can make you look bland and slovenly, no matter your Johnny Bravo figure!
A fitting shirt that highlights the positive factors of your body shape and overrides the negatives will ensure that you appear more confident, sharp and poised, thereby increasing the overall appeal of your image.

Thus, always remember that no factor is as important as finding the perfect fit!

How a Shirt should ideally fit?

And when we say fit, it does not just apply to the chest or shoulders alone, but everything from the collar, to sleeves to the torso.

Shoulder
Ideally the seam of the shoulder should meet the corners of your shoulder bone, ensuring that it doesn’t slide down to the arm.

Collar
Usually measured in inches (mostly between 14-18’’), you should be able to put on the collar buttons (topmost button) easily with at least a 2 finger space in between. And anything below or above that is usually considered too tight or loose. The shape and style of the collar is important as well; most importantly, choose a collar that balances your face.

Read more, our simple guide on the most popular collar styles in mens’ shirts and how choosing the right collar style can completely alter your whole outfit and appearance.

Chest & Torso
Shirts should ideally give you a snug fit, nothing either too tight or boxy across the chest, torso and upper back area. You should be able to comfortably move, stretch and turn when wearing it. Also, make sure that when buttoned up, there are no gaping holes across the chest or torso, which would mean that it’s tight. Similarly, stretch your arms towards the front and if you feel a pull in the back, then again, it means the shirt is tight.

Arm holes
Armpits should also be of a perfect and tapered fit, not too baggy (with fabric hanging under the arm). You should be able to comfortably move and raise your arms.

Sleeves
Make sure that the sleeves aren’t very long or too short (full sleeve shirts). The ideal length of sleeves for a full sleeve shirt would be, extending a little bit beyond the wrists.

Another key factor is the length of the shirt. The length of the shirt is usually measured from the center portion of the back of the collar till the end of the shirttail. You can choose the length as per how you intend to use it- tucked or untucked. A tucked in shirt should ideally should reach up till the bottom of the butt or a bit below. An untucked one can be a bit shorter, extending up to the center or bottom of the butt. A simple test to determine if the length is apt for you is to bend and try touching your feet. While doing that, if you feel a lot of your back is bared, then the shirt length is not ideal.

Different Shirt Fit Types for Men

Classic or Regular Fit

A common and standard size shirt meant to fit all body types, with lots of room in the chest, torso, armholes and sleeves. These are straight shirts (or very slightly tapered towards the waist) and don’t cling to your body and is quite relaxing and comfortable due to a larger fit. Most ideal when wearing a suit or blazer and is perfect for those men with a slightly rounded body since the loose fit will help to hide those small flab.
Not really the best choice for men with a slimmer body type.

Tailored Fit

Combining the best of both worlds, the slim fit and regular fit, the tailored fit shirts are tapered and fitted yet has some room to relax. They don’t cling to the body as much as slim fits and is not as boxy as regular fits. It is generously cut than slim fits to allow more room for movement in the chest and waist areas. This fit usually has tapered sleeves as well. They are ideal for men with slimmer or slightly muscular bodies.

Slim Fit

The second most popular choice of fit among men, this is an ideal choice for men of a slim stature, these are more shaped and fashionable than the regular fit shirts and hence look great on young men. They do have a snug fit and may slightly constrict easy motions since they sit more close to the body. Avoid if you have a belly or some flab since they are distinctly tapered in the waist area and has darts in the back.

Skinny Fit

Extra slim fit or the skinny fits are a much more narrow and tapered than the typical slim fits and sits very close to the body (chest & waist area) and has tapered sleeves and well fitted arm holes too. And because of this narrow fit, it is ideal choice only for men with very fit and trim bodies.

Fitted or Athletic

Perfect for men who want to show off their well contoured or V shaped physique. This fit can accentuate broad shoulders and chest and narrow waist. This fit helps to resolve the problems of men with athletic body type since slim fits, though are tapered in the waist area is not roomy enough of their broad shoulders and regular fit would appear too boxy and unflattering on them.

A well fitting shirt may cost you slightly more than an ill fitting shirt, but the difference the former can make is so much worth it. You will never believe the kind of boost it would give to your confidence.

Now that you know the key points to consider when choosing a shirt as well as the different types of shirt fits, picking that perfect shirt is a cake walk!

Do you know any other shirt fit types which you think we have missed? Feel free to drop them in the comment box!

How a Man’s T-Shirt Should Fit (Visual Guide)

Published on February 4, 2021 by Brock · Clothing and Style

This t-shirt fit guide will show you exactly how a t-shirt should fit, regardless of your build.

Just like jeans, t-shirts are essential wardrobe items that every man needs to own.

They’re comfortable, casual and versatile, so you really need to have a few t-shirts that fit well and make you look great.

Table of Contents

T-Shirts Need to Fit Properly

Call me traditional, but this oversized tee looks horrible. | Source: Farfetch

On one side of the spectrum, you have ill-fitting, worn out tees with obnoxious graphics on them, which make even the most handsome men among us like a sloppy teenagers.

One the other side, you have fitted, high-quality t-shirts in versatile, solid colors or tasteful patterns. These are universally flattering, regardless of age, skin tone or body type.

Clothes that fit = flattering clothes

Needless to say, we’re going for the latter.

Timeless T-Shirt Fit

So how should a t-shirt fit? Glad you asked, let’s talk about the four most important aspects: shoulders, sleeves, torso and length.

Keep in mind, we’re going for the most timeless possible look here – not too tight, not too loose. We’ll talk about other types of t-shirt fit in a later section.

T-Shirt Shoulders

You want to make sure the shoulders aren’t too wide. The best way to do this is find where your shoulder ends and your arm begins, and make sure the shoulder seam doesn’t go too far past that.

It’s okay if it doesn’t land directly on top of your shoulder bone, but make sure the seams aren’t hanging down on your upper arm.

This is a clear sign that the shirt is too big for you.

T-Shirt Sleeves

Moving on to the sleeves, you want to pay attention to both length and width. Your sleeves should end about halfway between your armpit and elbow.

Don’t feel the need to get the measuring tape out or anything like that. Just make sure the sleeves aren’t too close to your elbow (which will make your arms look shorter).

For the width, you want to make sure your sleeves aren’t tenting out away from your arms. This can make it hard for people to appreciate your guns and give them the respect they deserve!

Instead, the sleeves should fit closely around your arm without being tight or restrictive (like a compression shirt you might wear for working out).

T-Shirt Torso

The torso is made up of the chest, the stomach and the hips. You’re aiming for a fitted look – not too tight but not too loose.

If you see tension lines between your pecs, the shirt is too tight, or you simply bench press too much, bruh.

You should be able to pinch about 2-3 inches of fabric on either side of your torso. Any more than that and the shirt might be too loose.

If you can’t pinch at least an inch of fabric on either side, it may be too tight.

T-Shirt Length

The most problematic part of t-shirts for short men is the length. It seems like every t-shirt is made for guys who are super tall and skinny, or morbidly obese pre-teens.

Your shirt should go about two inches past your waistband (or the bottom of your belt), and it should end right around mid-fly.

If it goes all the way to the bottom of your fly, it’s too long and will make you look shorter.

At 5’6″, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being a shorter man, but I think we can all agree that we don’t want to look shorter than we actually are.

T-Shirt Fit Types

Since clothing fit is extremely subject to trends, I want to acknowledge that it’s okay to experiment with different silhouettes, as long as you’re doing it intentionally.

There’s a difference between wearing a boxy fit tee because you like the look, and wearing an ill-fitting tee because you don’t know any better.

Timeless Fit Tees

This is the fit I outlined above, and it should be the default for most guys.

It’s universally flattering and won’t go out of style anytime soon. when in doubt, try to achieve this type of fit.

Boxy Fit Tees

At the time of writing, fashion designers are embracing looser fitting clothes. This is partially due to a resurgence of 90s aesthetics, which were heavily influenced by the 1970s.

Boxy tee, wide leg pants, chunky sneakers and a tiny crossbody bag… This is the opposite of timeless.

So wide-leg trousers are all the rage, and boxy fit t-shirts are often seen accompanying these roomier pants.

Personally, I stay away from these trends because I like buying clothes that will look good 5+ years from now.

But, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with looser clothing and boxy tees, so wear what makes you happy!

Muscle Fit Tees

This type of t-shirt fit has more to do with your build, as a slim fit tee will look like a muscle fit tee on super jacked dudes.

Muscle Fit T-Shirt from Barbell Apparel

But any guy with a bit of muscle on his bones can buy a close-fitting shirt (just look for athletic fit t-shirts), and it’s not a bad way to show off your hard-earned physique.

How do your t-shirts fit?

Now that you know how a t-shirt is supposed to fit, it might be a good idea to do an audit of your current shirt collection. Do they fit properly?

If they’re too long, you can get the hemmed. This is a great option if you already have some that you love but that are too long.

Just make sure you go to a tailor who can handle knits (most wedding dress alteration places are safe bets).

Try cuffing your t-shirt sleeves once; you might like the look!

If the sleeves are too long, you can roll them up (cuff them) once or twice.

But if the shoulders are too wide, you can’t fix that, so it’s best to replace the shirt with one that fits properly.

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Comments

Hi mate. Nice article.
Just a point of note – as a male, 5’11 who is approaching 50, although I am moderately slim build like a lot of men I have a slightly protruding tummy. And slightly pigeon chested.
Problem with a lot of T’s is that they are fitted to the point of being uncomfortable in those clingy areas.
Relaxed T’s are fine for chaps like me me, especially in the office

IMHO the fit in the shoulders in most of these pictures does not look good. If the shirt fits you properly in the shoulders you aren’t going to get those weird little triangle peaks. Just one man’s opinion.

Thanks brock, looking at you i realise how aesthetically pleasing 5’6 men are. I totally agree with what you told about oversized shirts are. You really helped me know the fitting of the shirt.

Seconding some of the comments above, as an endomorph, I have still not yet figured out how to resolve the issue of achieving a good fit in the chest and across the stomach at the same time. It would be great to see an article on this 🙂

If anybody is interested in making adjustments to their own t-shirts, then I have found the Stylish D YouTube videos really helpful.

Does the tip for rolling/cuffing the sleeves apply to polo shirts as well? Or would this look sloppy?

It would look weird on a polo because of the sleeve trim and pique material.

Looks like I’m the only one commenting… lately. To me, how a Tee should fit is how the wearer wants them to fit him/her.

How they should fit… according to whom. I disagree with a couple of the points. Therefore, not how it should fit for me.

Note on 1950s films and some others, most/many younger guys with tees rolled their sleeves up two rolls. Showed the larger part of the arms, therefore making your “guns” look larger.

Delo Mortusen says

The majority of t shirts worn by men are too short. In all of these photos one important image is missing, one with the model with their arms right up. As if reaching for a book on a shelf, waving to someone or yawning. What you don’t want to see is an ugly bit of navel fur and belly skin. Nearly all off the shelf t shirts fail this test, if not in shop certainly after the first wash even at 30C

I don’t have this problem. Duluth Trading offers Tees with an extended 3″ of length. Too long for me. I’m 6’2″.

Anant Aggarwal says

A wonderful article here. My height is around 5’7″ and I was finding it extremely hard to ascertain the length of my tshirts for a long long Time, always ended up wearing something that ended right towards the bottom of my jeans/trousers/pants’ zips, but now finally as per this article I have decided to fix it at 2 inches below the waistband, thanks so much for this!!

I’m 6’2″/195 and I can never seem to find a T I like. I, unlike most, like a longer sleeve. One that is almost to the elbow. When I do, I’m wearing a tent. Years ago, Cabela’s had one and I’ve still got a few. Some I need to abandon:-) I’ve googled and looked but no luck. My luck, when it does come, seems to allow the T to come in tall sizes, so a Large Tall is what does it. On others, same size, sleeves too short. Thx, wk.

It sounds nice, but it doesn’t really help some of us – the short tanks. Trying to find a shirt short enough that I don’t sit on it is a challenge for those of us 5’8″ with a chest in the 48/49″ range. The Sharps top out at a 46″ chest.

Brock, great advice, per usual. It was a big moment for me when I realized, as a guy almost exactly your size, what a well-fitting t-shirt could look like.

To any other guys in the 5’6” range, Banana Republic makes some excellent XS t-shirts. I’m almost the same size as Brock, and have no complaints.

The only problem with a well-fitted t-shirt is that it reminds you that you need to hit the freaking gym!

Uniqlo cotton t-shirts.

Probably not a good fit for Brock, but they were perfect for me (I’m a little bit fatter than he is!). Checked off every box (for me) in terms of how they should fit per the details outlined in this article. Soft & comfy; they replaced all my oversized t-shirts, and are now my everyday, go-to pieces. Great price ($9.90/ea), but perhaps not the best quality…. I guess time will tell, but I’m very happy with them.

Ron Krajenbrink says

He just meant short and wide

Skyler Robinson says

I’m a black trans man and I don’t think you should be so racist towards the morbidly obese. Check your privilege please. SMH!

William Nemecek says

Racist towards the obese makes no sense. But, good luck being a black trans man.

This is great if you’re trim! Sometimes T-shirts that fir well on the waist are too small higher, or more commonly, fit well on the chest but are too tight around the midsection. If you buy larger, you’re adjusting the shoulders and sleeves. What do “differently shaped” guys do for a better T-shirt fit?

Yeah, I second this question!

Yeah, I second this comment! Tight in chest, really tight in abdomen, loose in the back….

Anant Aggarwal says

Though i don’t have any credentials to prove that what’s Written below works out in almost all cases, yet i think if it can Help someone else out too, i’ll Always and Always Propagate it to Help others.

For me Personally, for the length of half-sleeved tshirts. i follow the Golden ratio, that is

My height is 5’7, or 67 inches, the length of my trousers is 40 inches. And if i wear a tshirt of height 23.25 inches untucked, somehow an almost Perfect golden ratio is maintained between the visible parts of my tshirt as well as my trousers – the visible part of my tshirt is 23.25 inches, the part of my trousers hidden behind the tshirt is around 2.4 inches while the remaining visible portion of my trousers is 37.6 inches. The golden ratio aspect to the entire scenario is
23.25 multiplied by the Golden Ratio comes out to be around 37.61. And it does look way Better than anything else by far.
So for half-sleeved tshirts, i suggest You to follow the Golden ratio.

Whilst since the sleeves of a full-sleeved tshirt are generally open, this Golden ratio seems not to work Well on a full-sleeved tshirt. And a person does not look too Good with such a short length. Personally, by the Hand of God and then through some experimentation, i found that the length of a full-sleeved tshirt that would look Perfect on me is 25 inches, but the full-sleeved tshirt experiment is still an ongoing one and i might just try for other lengths too some Time in the Future.

And just remember always get the length of Your tshirts altered from exactly besides the collar and not from anywhere towards the shoulder edges.

So in essence, Firstly try and find Your Perfect Golden Ratio, use it there and then for all Your half-sleeved tshirts. For full-sleeved tshirts try a bit of experimentation by getting a few dummy tshirts altered to varying degrees with differences of 1/2 inch.

You really can’t do much about sweaters/pullovers/jackets except for finding Your Exact Correct size.

Please also remember that in clothing and in dress designing, even a difference of just half an inch can make a difference between a person looking like a Joker or at the same Time Angelic or Godly. Its a very small number with an Extremely Large repercussions related to it. Be careful as it can be a bit too Risky.

Always take Care of Yourself,
God Bless,
anant

Nothing to back it up. That’s sure a lot of scientific math for just an opinion. If I tried that formula, I would never have time to buy one. Hahahahaha.

I really researched and measured the golden ratio of dresses that i find pleasing in men and celebrities and what you said is exactly right. Irrespective of what size man or women is those who wore to golden ratio is exactly attractive. I owe you a big thank that this was life saving. Golden ratio and perfect fit was the key to attractiveness

Tee shirts that fit too tight look cheap and and made for ballerinas. I prefer a looser fit with sleeves almost to the elbow. I’m from the South and men here have better tastes!

Ive just wasted more money on t-shirts that don’t fit. I buy medium and it fits in width but too short. I buy large and it’s now far too wide. Seems like clothes are made for steroid users who are under 5’10. Not sure where you’ve found clothes that favour tall and skinny People.