What are the things you should consider in this t-shirt fit guide for men?
- Torso
- Shirt length
- Shoulders
- Sleeves
- Neckline
The beauty of a t-shirt lies in its versatility. That’s why it’s considered a wardrobe staple. You can choose from a variety of colors depending on the event or even create a personal style. Want to look more polished and dressed up? You won’t go wrong with white, black, and gray t-shirts. Pair your choice of shirt with a blazer and some fitted slacks or jeans for that trusty casual look. Going for a more rugged style? You can put a sports jacket on! But just like any piece of clothing, it should fit properly. That’s why you’ll need this t-shirt fit guide for men.
For instance, anything that is overly loose will tend to look sloppy. If you’re going for a more casual look, there are oversized shirts made for that purpose. On the other end of the spectrum, wearing tight-fitting clothes will not just look but will also feel uncomfortable. But how do you find the right fit? Keep on reading to find out.
Torso
First, you should take a look at your torso. This is the part of your body that makes up the chest, stomach, and hips. As it’s the part where the majority of the cloth from the t-shirt will be in direct contact with, you’ll need to make sure that the fit is right. Keep in mind that you’re aiming for a smart and fitted look. That means it shouldn’t look and feel too tight or too loose.
Put on the t-shirt. Do you see tension lines between your pecs? Look at the sides of the clothing. There should be an allowance of 2-3 inches of fabric on either side. If not, then the shirt is simply too tight. This will make it look like a compression shirt or activewear.
Shirt Length
After checking the torso, the next thing you need to look at is the length of your t-shirt. If you’re ordering a t-shirt online, this is usually indicated in the size chart. This can help you gauge what size you should order for the best fit.
Why does length matter, you ask? It’s because anything that’s too short will expose your stomach when you lift your arms up. On the other hand, when you wear a t-shirt that’s too long, you might look shorter than your actual height. For the shirt length, it’s best to choose something that ends in the middle of your fly or the top opening of your jeans. This way, you can also tuck it in if you need.
Shoulders
Locate the shoulder seam on your t-shirt. This is the line where the sleeves and torso part of the shirt will meet. It’s an indicator of the fit of your clothes — from t-shirts, jackets, to coats. It has to fit right for your top to look good and feel comfortable to wear.
To determine if your t-shirt is the right size, make sure that the shoulder seam sits on top of your shoulder bone, where the curve is. It doesn’t have to be exact, but it shouldn’t be too far from the area.
Sleeves
Now that you know how the shoulder fits, take a look at the sleeves next. You want to go for a relaxed fit, so the t-shirt would feel comfortable to wear. If the sleeves are too loose, then your arms might look smaller than they are. Go for anything too long, and your arms will look shorter.
For this part, you should check the length and the width. It’s best if the end of the sleeves falls mid-bicep — halfway between your elbow and shoulders. For the width, choose a t-shirt with sleeves that will lightly touch your arms. The space between your skin and the fabric should be around an inch.
Neckline
T-shirts come in a variety of necklines. The crew neck is the classic option because it can be paired with almost anything. When wearing a crew neck shirt, make sure that it should not feel tight and uncomfortable. If this happens, then it might be a sign that you should size up. The neckline should lay flatly just above the collarbone.
On the other hand, a v-neck t-shirt will look slightly less formal than a classic crew neck. For the standard fit, pick a shirt with a neckline that falls just below the clavicle. A v-neck can add visual appeal to your overall look.
Key Takeaway
We hope that this t-shirt fit guide for men has given you an idea of what a standard fit shirt should look like. Once you have the basics down, you can play around with styling and try on different colors.
When shopping for new t-shirts made with cotton, be mindful of the potential shrinkage after washing. Here at Lifeline, the shrinkage tolerance for our t-shirts is 5% on length and width, as per international standards. You can view our size charts on our e-commerce pages at Shopee and Lazada, so you can get the best fit. We offer t-shirts from XS to 3XL, and have plenty of colors to offer.
