How to Fit a Dress Shirt

When buying a "ready-to-wear" dress shirt, the most important measurement you need to know is your collar size.

As a general guide:

1. Size Small: 14-15.5 Inches


2. Size Medium: 15.75 - 16.75 Inches


3. Size Large: 17-17.75 inches


4. Size XL: 18 - 18.75 Inches

Make sure to try on any "ready-to-wear" shirt. The collar should fit so that 1-2 fingers can slide between your neck the the buttoned dress shirt. Having the right fit is not only important for comfort,m but it also ensures the right look when wearing your Neck Ties.

Besides the collar size, almost equally important is the right sleeve length. If you dont wear a necktie, and therefore never button the dress shirt all the way, then the sleeve measurement is most important. The sleeves should have the right length so that when you pull your arms forward, your sleeves should tighten but NOT pull up on your arms. In addition, the sleeves should have the right length so that when wearing a properly tailored suit, 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch of shirt sleeve collar is showing.

Finally, you need to know your shoulder measurements, and your waist measurement. For men with normal proportionate body types, most ready-to-wear shirts will have the right fit.

Make sure to by shirts that fit your body type! Larger built men with a larger waistline need more fabric in that area to avoid looking like stuffed sausage. If this is you, and you have difficulty finding the right shirt, then look for shirts labeled "plus size", "big & tall", or "American Cut".

Just as heavy built men may have a difficult time to find the right dress shirt fit, skinny and tall men usually have the same problem. IF this is you, then avoid buying shirts that look like a balloon on your body. Instead choose shirts that are more tapered at the waistline. Look for shirts that say "European cut" or "tapered cut" or "fitted cut".

While the cuff-style is solely personal preference, the collar needs to be matched to your body type as well as to the neckite and the type of tie knot. The necktie knot should fill the gap between the collar. Therefore, wider spread shirt collars are best worn with larger and more triangular looking neckite knots such as the double Windsor knot.

Also consider your body type when looking for a collar style. If you have a larger and shorter neck, then you want to wear a more pointed collar style - which will make your neck slightly longer and more proportionate. On the other hand, skinny and long necks are best paired with a wide-spread collar.

If custom tailored dress shirts are too costly and take too much time to make for you, then below is a list of excellent retailers that will have the perfect fitting dress shirt for you:

Thomas Pink
In my opinion the best place for "ready to wear" dress shirts. Tomas Pink offers a wide array of cuts, styles, colors, and fabrics. The sales people are educated and will help you find the perfect dress shirt. Should the shirt not fit 100%, then they will tailor it for you! The downside: Price! When not on sale, dress shirts by Pink cost $180-$250 - a lot for a non-custom made dress shirt.

The Perfect Dress Shirt
This mens fashion blog regularly gives good information and tips on dress shirt fitting, neckties, how to best wear your clothes, dress codes, and much more. There is also a section about newly added ties and bow ties. It seems that Ties-Necktie adds new collections of ties for every season. I recommend this retailer. Check it out for yourself.

How to Find Fitting Dress Shirts
Another great fashion and style resource for men is this blog founded by online necktie retailer Cheap-Neckties.com - a site with amazing deals on neck and bow ties that start as low as $5. Even shipping was free on an order over $100. So, you can buy 20 ties for $100 incl. shipping and tax!

Mens Fashion Articles
A list of articles by mens fashion expert Hendrik Pohl. Interesting articles on dress codes, fashion trends, what clothes to buy, and much more.