How a T-shirt Should Fit a Man — The Essential Guide
A t-shirt is a staple in any guy’s closet. There’s nothing more classic than a clean white tee paired with blue jeans. With more relaxed dress codes these days, no one will give you a second look for wearing a t-shirt under a suit at the office.
We want to make sure your t-shirt looks good and fits right wherever you go, so we created this ultimate guide to check if your tee is hitting all the right marks.
How a t-shirt should fit a man
Quick Checklist
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01. The Collar
T-shirts come in two main collar styles: crew and v-neck. We always suggest going for a crewneck: it’s a classic choice that works with just about anything. V-necks are good for layering under sweaters when you don’t want your tee to peek out. A proper crew t-shirt should neatly frame your neck and sit comfortably around your collarbone.
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02. The Shoulders
You can quickly tell if a shirt fits right by checking the shoulder seams. These should line up right with the edge of your shoulder bones. If the seams drop down onto your bicep, the shirt’s too large. If they’re up near your neck on your traps, it’s too small.
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03. The Sleeves
The perfect sleeve length should end at mid-bicep. If it’s higher, it’s getting too close to being a tank top. If it reaches toward your elbow, that means it’s too long.
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04. The Length
Your t-shirt should ideally end about halfway between your waist and your crotch. If it stops at your waist, it’ll look too short. On the other hand, if it hangs down to your crotch or lower, it’ll make your torso look too long and your legs too short, giving you a stumpy appearance. Aim for that middle spot for a balanced look.
So, What Does the Perfect Fitting Shirt Look Like?
A perfectly fitting t-shirt aligns the shoulder seams with your shoulder bones and has sleeves that end at mid-bicep. The collar should sit comfortably around the base of your neck, and the body should offer a straight fit—not too tight and not too loose. The ideal length of the tee hits halfway between your waist and crotch, avoiding any look that is either too short or too elongated.
As long as your tees aren’t super tight or excessively long, you’re good to go.
