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How do I find out the size of my shirt?

Measuring shirt size is a relatively quick, easy and very relevant task. After all, it is very important that your clothes fit properly. Not only does it look nicer, but sleeves that are too short or too long are uncomfortable and can be dangerous, shirts that are too wide make too much dust, and shirts that are too short slip out of your trousers easily. Want to know how to find your perfect size? Then read on!

Are you looking for a size chart of a specific brand? Then click here.

Find out shirt size


Therefore, it is very important to wear the right size. But how do you know exactly what size your shirt is? By measuring your size exactly," is the obvious answer. In this article we explain exactly how to do that and how to read those centimetres in size charts.

The question is: How do you measure your shirt size?

What do I need to measure correctly?

To measure your shirt size, you need a tape measure, of course. Don't have one at home? They cost a fraction and are readily available both online and offline.

  • Determine your size. Measure as much as you can on bare skin and don't pull the tape too tight.
  • The size of your shirt: Preferably measure in the afternoon. You are thinnest in the morning and you don't want your shirt to be too tight later in the day.
  • Have a pen and paper ready so you can write down your measurements.

How do you measure your collar size?

When buying a shirt, it is important to measure your collar size. Simply because most brands consider this size to be the leading one and quote their sizes using this measurement. Sometimes the collar size is also called the neck size.

Determine shirt size in simple steps

 

To measure the collar size, place the centimetre around the base of the neck where the collar should sit. This is usually about the height of the Adam's apple. Do not pull the band too tight and make sure you can still swallow. Note the number of centimetres you have measured. Usually add between 1 and 2 centimetres to the cuff size.

A second way to measure collar size is to take a shirt that fits you well and that you are sure fits well. Place the centimetre along the collar of that shirt and measure from the centre of the button on the collar to the end of the buttonhole on the other side (over the collar, of course).

Now that you know what your collar size is, you have the basic information for buying a shirt.

Deviating from the collar size is not common, but can be considered in some cases:

  • The top buttons are never worn closed (as with a tie). You should then consider going down one collar size.
  • You like your shirt to be very loose fitting. Then either buy one collar size larger or simply choose a wider fit.

Determining the other shirt size specifications

In the past, it was enough to specify the collar size. However, since there are different cuts such as Slim Fit, Super Slim Fit, Modern Fit, Classic Fit and/or Regular Fit, it is advisable to measure the rest as well before buying a shirt.

Find out shirt size yourself

Just measure all the sizes, in no case too tight, and note them down carefully. The fits already take into account how you like your shirt. So you don't need to measure extra wide to get a roomy fit or extra tight to get a super slim fit.

TIP 1: Measure your waist

Measure where your waist is narrowest. Measure standing up and leave some wiggle room. Don't pull in your stomach, because you don't want that if you wear the shirt all day.

TIP 2: Measure chest circumference

Measure your chest circumference under your armpits at the widest point. You still want to be able to move, so don't measure too tight. Don't pump up your chest, because you won't do that in real life.

How do you measure arm length?

It is also necessary to measure your arms, especially to check if you can get by with the standard sleeve length of a shirt or if you should look for shirts with extra long sleeves, which are now widely available. Most brands have a standard sleeve length of 64 or 65 centimetres. Extra long sleeves often come in two varieties, 69 and 72 centimetres. You can always find these in the size chart. Extra long sleeves are often called "sleeve length 7".

To determine the arm or sleeve length, measure from the shoulder to just above the wrist bone. If you regularly wear a jacket, you should take this into account; your shirt should then extend 1 to 2 centimetres below your jacket.

Some brands use the arm length plus the length from neck to shoulder. In this case, first measure from the highest vertebra of your back to the top of your shoulder. The last vertebra of your back is the point where your back ends and your neck begins. Then add your arm length.

Here you can see where you should take measurements to get the right shirt size.

Reading the size chart

Now take the size chart to hand. You can find the size chart for all shirts here. First find out your collar size. Then check that the other sizes are also correct. No size should be too small.

For example, if your own waist circumference is significantly larger than the centimetre the shirt is supposed to measure, you should choose a size larger or a wider fit. Otherwise, the buttons will be very tight or you won't be able to close them. And that, of course, is a shame.

You don't buy your shirt online? The better shirt shops have shirts for you to try on. You can then easily try on the best size without having to unfold all the shirts.

Converting collar sizes, clothing sizes and international sizes

Shirt sizes are not always given in collar sizes, but sometimes in international sizes (S, M, L etc.) or even in clothing sizes (52, 54, 56 etc). How do you know if you are buying the right shirt? It's very simple:

  • The collar sizes 37 and 38 correspond to the international shirt size S. German clothing size 46 corresponds to collar size 37 and clothing size 48 corresponds to collar size 38.
  • Collar sizes 39 and 40 correspond to the international shirt size M. German clothing size 50 corresponds to collar size 39 and clothing size 52 corresponds to collar size 40.
  • Collar sizes 41 and 42 correspond to the international shirt size L. German clothing size 54 corresponds to collar size 41 and clothing size 56 corresponds to collar size 42.
  • Collar sizes 43 and 44 correspond to the international shirt size XL. German clothing size 58 corresponds to collar size 43 and clothing size 60 corresponds to collar size 44.
  • Collar sizes 45 and 46 correspond to the international shirt size XXL. German clothing size 62 corresponds to collar size 45 and clothing size 64 corresponds to collar size 46.
  • Collar sizes 47 and 48 correspond to the international shirt size 3XL and the German clothing size 66.
  • Collar sizes 49 and 50 correspond to the international shirt size 4XL and the German clothing size 68.
  • Collar sizes 51 and 52 correspond to the international shirt size 5XL and the German clothing size 70.

 

Conversion table of shirt sizes and collar sizes:
Collar size international:

Collar width international
size
German
size
37 S 42
38 44
39 M 46
40 48
41 L 50
42 52
43 XL 54
44 56
45 XXL 58
46 60
47 3XL 66
48
49 4XL 68
50
51 5XL 70
52

 

If in doubt, always contact us

Are you in doubt whether you are buying the right size? Please contact us. As the online shirt specialist in Germany, it is very important for us that all our customers are satisfied and get the right shirt size at home. With our personal service, we are ready to find the right shirt for you.