Quick Answer: How Should a Dress Shirt Fit?
- Collar: two fingers fit comfortably inside when buttoned.
- Shoulders: the seam sits at the edge of your shoulder.
- Chest and waist: no pulling at the buttons, no billowing fabric when tucked.
- Sleeves: end at the base of your thumb, showing about half an inch below a jacket sleeve.
- Cuffs: snug enough not to slide over your hand.
- Length: long enough to stay tucked when you raise your arms.
A dress shirt is one of the most-worn pieces in a man's wardrobe, under a suit, with a sport jacket or blazer, or on its own. A great fit makes it look sharper, feel more comfortable and look better under a jacket. Here's what to check, from the collar down.
Collar
The collar is the first thing to check, because it's the hardest part of a shirt to work around.
- The two-finger test: when buttoned, you should be able to slide two fingers between the collar and your neck. Any tighter and it'll pinch. Any looser and it'll look like a hand-me-down, especially with a tie.
- Collar style: a spread collar balances a narrow face and frames a bigger tie knot. A point collar suits rounder faces and slimmer ties.
Shoulders
The shoulder seam should sit right at the edge of your shoulder bone. If it falls down your arm, the shirt is too big. If it sits up on your shoulder, it's too small.
Chest and Waist
The shirt should lie smoothly across your chest without pulling at the buttons. If you see gaps between buttons or tension lines across the front, size up.
At the waist, a well-fitting shirt tucks in neatly without lots of excess fabric bunching above your belt. That's where your choice of fit comes in:
- Slim Fit: tapered through the chest and waist for a close, clean line.
- Modern Fit: a little more room through the body while still looking tailored.
Sleeves
With your arms at your sides, sleeves should end where your wrist meets your hand, around the base of your thumb. When you wear a suit jacket, about a quarter to half an inch of cuff should show below the jacket sleeve.
Cuffs
Cuffs should be snug enough that they don't slide over your hand, but loose enough to fit a watch. French cuffs, which fold back and close with cufflinks, sit a little looser than standard button cuffs.
Length
Your shirt should be long enough to stay tucked in when you sit, reach and raise your arms. Shirts meant to be worn untucked, like many sport shirts, are cut shorter and should end around the middle of your fly.
How to Find Your Size
Dress shirts are usually sized by neck and sleeve measurements. Measure around the base of your neck, and from the centre back of your neck, across your shoulder and down to your wrist. Our size guide walks you through it.
Building your shirt collection? Here's how to choose the best dress shirts for your wardrobe.
Shopping online? Here's how to measure yourself at home for a suit and shirt.
FAQ
How tight should a dress shirt collar be?
You should be able to fit two fingers between the buttoned collar and your neck.
Should I choose slim fit or modern fit?
Slim Fit if you're slimmer or prefer a close fit. Modern Fit if you want a bit more room through the chest and waist.
How do I know if my dress shirt is too big?
Look for shoulder seams falling down your arms, fabric billowing at the waist when tucked, and sleeves covering your hands.
Shop Dress Shirts at Tip Top
Find your fit in our dress shirts, including patterned and white shirts. For styling ideas, read dress shirt styling tips. Or visit one of our 80+ locations across Canada to see the collection in person.
