Shirt fits - understanding differences in fit

Are you looking for a shirt that fits? Then the fit is one of the most important elements. There are so many terms for fits that it is sometimes no longer clear. We can help you with this. Here you can read all about fits and their names and designations.

The four main types of fits

Fits are generally divided into four main fits.

• Straight fit: straight cut fit. Ideal for a larger size (or more freedom of movement) (also called regular fit).
• Slightly fitted: slightly fitted and tapered fit of a shirt (also called Modern Fit).
• Waisted: Shirts with a body-hugging fit at the waist (also called slim fit).
• Very fitted: Shirts with a very tight fit at the waist (also called Super Slim).

Here you can go directly to the shirts of all manufacturers in the four main fits

In the past there was only one fit

All kinds of cuts and new names for cuts are a thing of the past. Some brands nowadays have 5 or even 7 fits, and this makes ready-to-wear already look like tailor-made. With all these different fits and shapes, there is always a shirt to fit a man.

In the past, there was only one fit, and it had to fit everyone. Especially the regular fit was widespread - the straight cut. That was easy, sure - and if it didn't fit, you had it altered. A service that was more normal then than now. An Italian cut was soon the modern version, leading to the next slightly waisted fit, followed by an even more modern fit, the slim fit.

The different cuts and names

• Comfort Fit: straight cut shirt (wide model)
• Classic Fit: basically the same as the regular fit: classic!
• Regular Fit: generous fit, as in the past
• Modern Fit: slightly waisted fit (fits most)
• Contemporary fit: slightly waisted
• Fitted body: slightly slim fit
• Fitted: actually means fitted and therefore modern fit
• Tailored Fit: slightly waisted fit (similar to Modern Fit)
• Loose Fi: similar to Modern Fit and Tailored Fit (slightly waisted)
• Slim Fit: sometimes very fitted, sometimes less. There are brands that use the term "slim fit" and call the modern fit "slim fit". Tricky.
• Slimline. Synonym for Slim Fit
• Smart Fit: Means well-fitted and "smartly" tight.
• Tight Fit: Means that the fit is very close to the body.
• Body Fit: Means the same as Tight Fit. The fit is very tight. Often these shirts have some stretch.
• Super Slim: Extra slim fit.
• X-Slim: Synonym for Super Slim

Journey to Jerusalem with the fit

In a nutshell, fits can be explained as follows. It is important to note that each brand uses the term slightly differently. An ISO standard would be appropriate and would help the consumer in the forest of fits.

• normal fit = not waisted = comfort fit = classic fit
• modern fit = slightly waisted = Modern Fit = Tailored Fit = Fitted Body = Regular Fit
• Narrow fit = Waisted = Slim fit = Smart fit = Body fit
• Very slim fit = Very slim = Super Slim = X-Slim

Here you will find an overview of the shirt fits of all manufacturers

Click on the table to go directly to the shirts of the respective collection.

The 10 most common problems with the fit of shirts

A shirt can look beautiful on a mannequin in a shop, but if the fit is not right on your body, it can give the wrong impression. "The elegance is in the shirt," the ever stylishly dressed poet Oscar Wilde once said. To help you exude elegance with your shirts, here's a list of the ten most common fit problems. These are the things you should look out for when trying on a men's shirt. Curious? Then read on!

1. your shirt is too tight around the stomach
   A shirt that is too tight around the stomach does not look very elegant. It also pulls uncomfortably with every movement you make. Your shirt may be too tight when you are standing or sitting. Therefore, try on any new shirt in these two positions
2. there are visible lines from the armpits to the neckline
   If you see two parallel lines on your shirt that run from your armpits to your neck, you are probably a well-built man. This problem often occurs with shirts that are worn with the buttons closed. Men with very pronounced shoulder muscles or broad, sloping shoulders inevitably have this fit problem. A shirt should actually fit loosely over the chest without being tight in any way. It should also not bulge, of course. If the problem with visible lines only occurs when all the buttons are closed, ask yourself if you really want to wear the shirt like that. If it is important to you that you can close the top button, choose a shirt that is loose enough around the chest. This way you avoid the annoying snakes.
3. if you stretch your arms upwards, your shirt will move too much
   A well-fitting shirt should allow you to move comfortably in all situations. Granted, you don't wear your shirt to climb mountains, but even if you work in the office, you obviously want to look stylish in every situation. Therefore, it is very annoying if you feel trapped in your shirt every time you stretch out your arms. If your shirt moves too much at such times, it often doesn't stay in properly and you feel like you're walking around in a straitjacket.
4. the collar of your shirt doesn't stay up when you undo the buttons
   Do you think movie stars like George Clooney look cool when they undo the top buttons of their shirts and the collar stays up? This look conveys both a relaxed attitude and style. Unfortunately, many shirt manufacturers don't seem to realise this and continue to produce shirts that hang too much over the neck. If necessary, choose a collar with buttons. If you can button the collar points just below the neckline, the problem of the hanging neck is immediately solved. Of course, it is also possible to choose a shirt with a stiffer collar.
5. just below the neckline of your shirt, the button placket sticks out a little
   Between the top two buttons of your shirt, the fabric sticks out a little. You can try wearing a tie. When the collar of your shirt is pulled tighter against your neck, the button band is also pulled tighter. Usually, the strange bulge disappears. Do you also have this problem with a recently bought shirt? Then try washing and ironing it a few times. This often shrinks the neckline a little so that it sits tighter at the neck. This will also straighten the button band. Choose a different type of neckline if the above techniques don't work. Sometimes the shape of your shoulders and neck just doesn't suit a particular collar style.
6. your shirt has too long sleeves
   Do you feel that the sleeves hang too far over your hands? Or that too much of the cuffs show when you wear a jacket? A shirt with the right fit has sleeves that, if you let your arms hang down in a relaxed way and leave the cuff links open, reach to your thumb knuckles. Does this seem too long to you? Maybe it's because your sleeves are too wide. The cuffs should be closed so that they prevent the sleeve from slipping over your hand.
7. your shirt has sleeves that are too short
   The other problem, of course, is that your sleeves are so short that they don't even reach your wrist. Test this by standing up straight, stretching your arms down in a relaxed manner and opening your cufflinks. So we repeat: In this position, the shirt sleeves should reach to the tips of your thumbs.
8. you don't want to wear your shirt in your trousers, but it seems too short
   If you buy a shirt that you don't want to wear in your trousers, you should choose a slightly shorter length. The correct fit for a shirt worn this way is that the bottom of the shirt should just reach the middle of the buttocks. Of course, you should not wear your trousers too low. Do you wear low-slung trousers at all? Then you'd better choose a shirt with a longer length.
9. your shirt does not stay in your trousers
   If you have to tuck your shirt into your trousers several times a day when you stretch or bend over slightly, you are buying your shirts too short. The only solution is to buy longer shirts. You don't want your shirt to distract you during a presentation, do you?
10. Your shirt is too tight in the back when you bend over
    A common mistake in the dressing room. Everyone admires themselves and their new purchase standing upright. When you wear the shirt for the first time, you will notice that it is very tight at the back. This means you lose a lot of freedom of movement and feel very uncomfortable. So don't forget to test a new shirt in all possible positions and walk around with it. This is the only way you can be sure that your new purchase looks elegant and feels comfortable.