Jul 19, 2009
Dress Shirt Fitting Guide: The Types of Fits

Dress shirts are very important and you should own a couple already. There are two major types of fits that exist to flatter all kinds of body shapes. What you need to know is which one is the right one for you. After all, not all shirts are the same. Learn how to differentiate between fits so you can pick the perfect one for you.

The first type of shirt is the regular fit which is also known at certain places as a classic fit. This fit is very boxy and roomy in the torso region and can be very loose depending on who’s wearing. This is for the big guys that are really muscular or got a few extra pounds. Not only does it have space in the torso region, but also in the arms as well.

The Slim or Tailored shirt fit is for a more slender or skinny guy. They look very stylish and are form-fitting. Overall, it’s a more elegant silhouette than the classic fit. It’s considerably more tapered in the waist compared to the classic fit. The slim fit shirt is tailored proportionately in the arms as well. That’s one of the problems I’ve noticed about them. Depending on which brand you buy, sometimes you’ll fit a slim shirt with enough arm space for a little girl. Always try on your shirts before purchase.
Troubleshooting
Those are pretty much the kinds of shirts there are. Each retailer is different in their sizing, but generally slim shirts will be a whole lot smaller than their classic counterparts. If you ever try on a shirt and it feels too snug or doesn’t fit right even though it’s your size, chances are that you’re wearing the right fit.
Remember:
Slim Fit is for a more slender guy while classic is for a bigger guy. Judge your body size and pick your fit accordingly.
It get’s a whole lot more complicated. See http://propercloth.com/slim-fit-dress-shirts That’s why we started offering the “Super Slim Fit” option.
*Groans* I never thought I’d find something slimmer than the H&M slim fit.
What the hell are these retailers basing their sizes on, anyways? I feel like a lot of them are really out of touch with their customers.
My BF and I totally agree – we recently found http://www.plamour.com – their shirts fit his slender frame and are really cool – different from all the same retailers out there and at a fair price too!