How to easily find your shirt size
Finding the right size for a shirt is often more difficult than expected. It should not be too tight around the neck, possibly conceal the stomach a little, not pull across the back, and your hands should not disappear into the sleeves. In addition, not all shirts are the same: the cuts of the different brands vary to a greater or lesser extent.
You should therefore never overlook the measurements in the size chart of the various brands. This applies especially when shirts are labeled in US or Italian sizes. It is therefore useful to know your own measurements when buying a shirt, because only then can you find the perfectly fitting shirt. We will show you how to measure yourself correctly in order to obtain the exact measurements.
Measuring the right shirt size in 2 steps:
To determine your shirt size yourself, you need nothing more than a measuring tape or a piece of string and a ruler. If possible, you can ask another person to help you, making the measuring process easier.
1. Measure collar size
The most important measurement for determining your shirt size is your neck circumference. The neck circumference corresponds to the collar size or shirt collar size. In Germany, shirt size is primarily indicated by collar size. If you know this measurement, you are much closer to finding your optimal shirt size.
To measure your neck or collar size, stand upright and look straight ahead. The measurement is taken approximately at the level of the Adam's apple. Wrap the measuring tape once around your neck so that it stays at the same height all the way around. Use your finger and place it between the measuring tape and your neck, or add about 1 cm to the measurement result. The extra room added in this way is necessary so that you will neither feel short of breath later nor be restricted in your movements.
Alternatively, you can use an already well-fitting shirt without a visible shirt size. You can measure the collar size by placing the measuring tape in the middle of the top buttonhole and extending it to the button on the opposite side.
Important: classification into dual sizes
Shirts are classified into dual sizes, so for example collar sizes 39 and 40 correspond to clothing size M. The difference between these sizes lies solely in the neck circumference, which in our example is 1 cm. The remaining measurements of the shirt, which correspond to the body measurements, are unchanged and identical for both collar sizes.
2. Determine waist circumference
The waist circumference is measured at the level of the navel . If you are somewhat more corpulent, place the measuring tape instead at the widest part of your stomach. For this measurement as well, stand upright and continue breathing normally. Wrap the measuring tape snugly once around your body so that it is not too tight, but at the same time does not sag at the back. Avoid sucking in your stomach during the measurement. To ensure that you have enough freedom of movement in your shirt later, for example when sitting down or breathing, add another 4-6 cm of ease to your measurement result and, if in doubt, choose the shirt one size larger.
Since the waist circumference determines the fit of the shirt, you can now use your measurements to choose the fit that suits you best. The conventional cuts are divided into the following variants:
Comfort Fit / straight cut
The Comfort Fit fit, also known as Regular Fit, stands out with its rather casual appearance. Thanks to the use of extra fabric in the back area, this fit is well suited for a fuller build. The generous, straight cut offers more room, especially around the stomach area. In general, Comfort Fit is considered casual and comfortable.
For Comfort Fit shirts, the waist measurements fall within these ranges:
| Collar size | 39/40 | 41/42 | 43/44 | 45/46 | 47/48 | 49/50 | 51/52 | 53/54 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waist circumference | 114-120 | 122-128 | 134-136 | 144-148 | 154-156 | 160-164 | 168-172 | 176-182 |
| corresponds to size | M | L | XL | XXL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | 6XL |
You can find the exact value for each shirt on the respective product page.
Modern Fit / slightly tailored
Shirts in the Modern Fit fit are considered classically elegant. The slight tailoring of the shirt combines a modern look with comfortable wear. Depending on the brand and designer, the terms Custom Fit, Tailored Fit or Slim Line are also used as synonyms for Modern Fit.
For Modern Fit shirts, the waist measurements are in these ranges:
| Collar size | 37/38 | 39/40 | 41/42 | 43/44 | 45/46 | 47/48 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waist circumference | 98-102 |
106-108 | 112-114 | 122-126 | 130-136 | 138-148 |
| corresponds to size | S | M | L | XL | XXL | 3XL |
You can find the exact value for each shirt on the respective product page.
Body Fit / very slim fit
Body Fit, also sometimes called Slim Fit or Shape Fit, is a close-fitting cut for slimmer men. With this fit, the shirt sits close to the body, with the emphasis on the waist. Before buying Body Fit shirts, you should measure your waist circumference very carefully, as with this cut, just a few centimeters can make the difference in achieving the perfect fit.
For Body Fit shirts, the waist measurements fall within these ranges:
| Collar size | 36 | 37/38 | 39/40 | 41/42 | 43/44 | 45/46 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waist circumference | 86-88 | 90-92 | 96-98 |
102-104 | 110-112 |
120-122 |
| corresponds to size | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
You can find the exact value for each shirt on the respective product page.
Super Slim Fit / very strongly tapered
A further increase in terms of figure emphasis is the Super Slim Fit cut. With this fit, the shirt is, as the name suggests, even more strongly tapered and more body-hugging than with Body Fit. This cut is therefore suitable for very slim and athletic men who want to emphasize their upper body.
For Super Slim Fit shirts, the waist measurements are in these ranges:
| Collar size | 36 | 37/38 | 39/40 | 41/42 | 43/44 | 45/46 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waist circumference | 80 | 86 | 92 |
98 |
106 |
114 |
| corresponds to size | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
You can find the exact value for each shirt on the respective product page.
3. Optional for special sizes: Measure sleeve length
Measuring this size serves particularly the purpose of determining any possible need for special sleeve lengths to identify. The standard sleeve length is 64 cm. If you differ from this, you need either a shorter or a longer sleeve length so that the shirt fits properly.
To measure the correct sleeve length, it is necessary to ask another person for help, as measuring on your own is hardly possible. Arm length is measured while standing with the arm slightly bent. Place the measuring tape at the tip of your shoulder. You are in the right place when you can feel the outer edge of the shoulder bone. Now measure your arm length from the shoulder to the elbow and from there to the wrist. The result corresponds to your sleeve length for long-sleeved shirts.
Now you can compare your arm length with the standard value. If you are below 64 cm, you need a shortened sleeve length, for example a length of 58 cm. If your measured value is greater, on the other hand, you need an extra-long sleeve, which is 69 cm. If even this is not enough, you will find the super-long sleeve length in the 72 cm measurement.
More tips:
With the help of the determined body measurements and knowledge about the fits, it should now be much easier to find your suitable shirt. When it comes to fits, it is especially important to be honest with yourself; more corpulent men will hardly fit into a tightly tailored Body Fit shirt. Increasing the shirt size until the shirt fits at the waist makes no sense. The shirt will simply be too large in other places and will no longer fit well. With a well-fitting Comfort Fit shirt, you will make a confident and stylish impression in this case.
Size charts for the respective brand and fit can be found with every item next to the size selection.
For some men whose measurements do not fit these standards, none of the variants may be suitable, as the shirt will always not fit optimally in another area. For this special case, however, you now know your correct measurements, which you can of course also use to have a made-to-measure shirt made.
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