Have you ever found as a crossfitter, that your dress shirt just doesn’t fit you properly? No matter how many muscle fit shirts you try on, you just can’t seem to get it right?
You likely have broad shoulders, muscular arms, a wider chest and a narrower waist than the average man, right?
So a dress shirt made for the body ‘norm’ is only going to overly accentuate certain parts of your body and look ill-fitting on other parts, making you look cartoonish.
You probably find that dress shirts are either too loose or too tight. It might seem like there’s no middle ground.
If you go too loose your shirt will be baggy, hide your frame under unnecessary fabric and do nothing to show off the areas of your physique that you’re working hard to show off in the first place.
On the other hand, if you go too tight, you’ll end up looking uncomfortable in your clothes and no man wants that.
While it certainly comes down to knowing your size and fit, the truth of the matter is that dress shirts off-the-rack are not always the best option for crossfitters.
Looking for shirts that fit the crossfitter physique perfectly? Check out our collection of fitted shirts here.
Knowing how to pick the best dress shirt for your athletic body and where to buy them from is the best way to avoid buying one that doesn’t fit you well at all.
And believe us when we say that you deserve to find the best dress shirt for crossfitters that is going to make you feel your best.
Just say however, you’ve already paid good money for a dress shirt, only to take it home and find out it is the wrong fit for you, what do you do? Well luckily there are a few things you can do to alter it and make it work for you.
Including taking it to the professionals to use their magic on as well as a few methods you can try out yourself to fix the problem.
We’ve put together a guide to help you get it right. Whether you’re looking for a new dress shirt or want to make the one you already have work, we’ve got your back.
Which Shirt Fit Is Best for CrossFitters?
CrossFit athletes often need more room around their shoulders, chest and arms without excessive fabric around the waist.
| Shirt Fit | Suitability for CrossFit Builds |
|---|---|
| Regular fit | Comfortable but can be baggy at the waist |
| Slim fit | Streamlined but may restrict broader shoulders |
| Extra slim fit | Often too restrictive through the upper body |
| Athletic fit | Can accommodate broader shoulders and chest |
| Tapered fit | Designed for a wider chest and narrower waist |
| Custom tailored | Can be adjusted to individual measurements |
For men with broad shoulders and narrow waists, a tapered fit is often the most practical starting point.
It provides a more balanced shape without forcing you to choose between a tight chest and a loose waist.
Choosing The Right Shirt For The Crossfitter Build
As a crossfitter, the main problem with your ill-fitting dress shirt is that you are buying them off-the-rack with no insight into how they should fit and compliment you.
That’s not your fault either, it’s the accepted reality of shopping for clothes for many men.
This is because the majority of shirts off-the-rack are made with the ‘typical’ male body in mind. The average male, is believed to be slim with a more rectangular frame and is therefore the inspiration for the majority of dress shirts on the market.
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It doesn’t have to be this way though and most definitely is not the only option for dress shirts on the market.
With the know-how of what to look out for and a gentle push in the right direction to shirts that work for crossfitters, your perfect dress shirt is within reach. In fact once you master shopping for your body, it all becomes a breeze.
Choosing clothes is all about shopping around with a working knowledge of what you need out of your clothes. It could be that you need a shirt that fits well around the shoulders.
Maybe you need one that is more fitted around the waist so that you don’t end up with a shapeless look. Once you’ve noted your body requirements and what you are looking for from your shirt, its time to do the leg work and actually pick one.
The best way to go about it is to try on dress shirts in the shop or at home if you order online, before you commit to keeping it. Buying blindly could come back to haunt you later on down the line.
Especially when you go try it on for the first time when you’re getting ready to go out. Queue the panic! To avoid this scenario, try before you buy. Try multiple even until you find the one.
Size up if you have to but be weary of buying more than a size up as you’ll probably end up with a shirt that is too oversized. If you’re struggling to determine whether a shirt looks like it fits well, get advice from shop staff or those who know you best.
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Often, other people can pick up on things that you haven’t. Getting a second opinion can really help, but at the end of the day, you know your body best.
The perfect fitting shirt for your crossfitter body will complement the shoulders and chest area which are likely to be much broader than the average male.
To ensure that the shoulder area of the shirt is fitting well, consider whether you have enough (but not too much) movement around your shoulders and arms.
The shirt should be form fitting but not too tight that you can’t move. The same goes with the waist, a little movement is good, but the shirt should be form fitting so that you don’t get unnecessary fabric.
This can cause wardrobe malfunctions like billowing and unfortunate muffin tops when the shirt is tucked into your trousers.
What Shirt Measurements Matter Most for CrossFitters?
When buying dress shirts for an athletic build, relying on your usual size isn't always enough.
Start with your chest measurement, taken around the fullest part of your chest while keeping the measuring tape level.
Next, measure your waist around the area where the shirt naturally sits, rather than assuming your trouser waist size will be the same.
Shoulder width and bicep measurements are equally important, particularly if you've developed a broader upper body through training.
Finally, check the sleeve length and overall shirt length to ensure the garment stays comfortable when reaching or sitting.
Comparing these measurements against a brand's size guide gives you a much better starting point than choosing a shirt based on its size label alone.
How Can You Tell if a Dress Shirt Fits Your Shoulders?
A dress shirt should look fitted across your shoulders without restricting natural movement.
Start by checking that the shoulder seams sit close to the edge of your shoulders rather than pulling towards your neck.
Next, raise your arms slightly, reach forward and bring your elbows together.
If the fabric pulls excessively across your upper back or the buttons strain across your chest, the shirt may be too narrow.
You should also be able to sit comfortably without the shirt feeling restrictive around your torso.
Remember, a fitted shirt shouldn't feel like compression clothing.
The goal is to create a clean silhouette while allowing enough room for everyday movement.
What Is the Best Dress Shirt Fabric for CrossFitters?
Fabric choice matters when you have a broader upper body, particularly if you regularly struggle with shirts feeling restrictive.
Cotton is a popular option because it's comfortable, breathable and suitable for both casual and formal occasions.
Cotton blended with a small amount of elastane can provide additional flexibility around the shoulders, chest and arms.
This can be particularly useful when reaching forward, sitting at a desk or wearing your shirt throughout a busy working day.
However, stretch fabric won't solve a shirt that's fundamentally the wrong shape.
Look for a combination of suitable fabric and a cut designed around your proportions rather than relying on stretch alone.
Should CrossFitters Size Up in Dress Shirts?
Sizing up might give you more room around your shoulders and chest, but it can create new problems elsewhere.
A larger shirt will generally have a wider waist, longer sleeves and more fabric through the torso.
For men with broad shoulders and narrow waists, this often results in excess material bunching around the stomach.
Instead of automatically choosing a larger size, look for a cut that provides the right proportions from the outset.
An athletic or tapered fit can offer additional room through the upper body without leaving unnecessary fabric around the waist.
Always compare your measurements with the size guide before ordering.
How To Make Your Dress Shirt Fit Better For CrossFit Guys
So you’ve already bought a dress shirt and have come to the realisation that it doesn’t look like it should on you. Thankfully, there are some handy tips and tricks to keep up your sleeve.
Be aware that most of these tips will work best with a shirt that is too large or has an excess of material. If your shirt is too tight, this is much harder to rectify. Ensuring that you buy the right size for you, even if you do have to size up, is the best way to avoid this.
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You can tell if your shirt is too tight for you as it will feel restrictive when you move.
For a dress shirt that is overly loose fitting however, then there are a few things you can try straight away. The first and best thing you can do for a dress shirt that is ill-fitting for your body shape is to take it to a tailor and have it altered.
Tailors are professionals, they’ve seen it all before and they’ve certainly had every kind of body shape walk through the doors of their shop, so they know how to get the best out of your clothing with your body type in mind.
If it is a case of too much material giving you that undesired over-sized look, a tailor can remove some of that annoying fabric, or use their tailoring tricks like adding in darts to create more shape within the shirt.
They will fit the shirt to your body so that your athletic shape is shown off like it should be. The finished result will mean that you’ll have a relaxed fit that narrows at the waist and is fitted at the shoulders and chest.
Visiting a tailor is not cheap, but it is an investment and will save you in the long run from having to buy another shirt. Tailors are the best people to ask for advice about dressing, so give them a shout.
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Another way that you can fix an overly loose dress shirt, even temporarily while you wear it, is to employ some tucks like the Military tuck.
This is good for nipping your shirt in at the waist to avoid any overspill of fabric when you tuck it in to your trousers and to give you more structure.
The military tuck is a tried and tested method that works by pulling the material from the sides of your shirt tightly and then pulling taunt behind your back. Y
ou can then tuck your shirt tightly into the waistband of your trousers, making sure that your belt is snug to help keep the shirt in place.
Is It Worth Tailoring Dress Shirts for CrossFitters?
Tailoring can be worthwhile if you already own a good-quality shirt that fits your shoulders and chest but feels too loose around the waist.
A tailor can often reduce excess fabric through the side seams or introduce darts to create a more defined shape.
However, making a shirt significantly larger around the shoulders, chest or arms is much more difficult.
This is why it's generally better to prioritise the fit of your upper body when considering alterations.
If you regularly need to tailor several areas of every shirt you buy, choosing a purpose-designed tapered fit may be more convenient and cost-effective.
What Should CrossFitters Look for When Buying Dress Shirts?
The best dress shirts for CrossFitters should balance a flattering fit with enough room for everyday movement.
Look for shoulders that sit naturally, a chest that doesn't pull at the buttons and sleeves that accommodate your upper arms comfortably.
Around the waist, choose a cut that follows your shape without excessive fabric bunching when tucked in.
Consider stretch cotton if you want additional flexibility, particularly when wearing your shirt for long periods.
Finally, choose versatile colours such as white, light blue and navy that work with both formal trousers and chinos.
A shirt that fits properly across your entire upper body will usually be a better investment than one that requires extensive alterations after purchase.
Athletic Fit Shirts
So now you know how to make your current dress shirt fit you better, but if you want to turn it up a notch and buy a new shirt that will fit your athletic build perfectly, look no further than Tapered Menswear.
Our dress shirts are made with the athletic, cross-fitter body in mind thanks to our clever V-Tape cut which gives you a 10 inch drop from the chest to the waist.
This means that you’ll never have that annoying pool of excess material hanging around your waist again.
The narrowing of the fabric at the waist gives you the ultimate shape for maximum effect.
All of our dress shirts also have enhanced darts in the back (just like you’d pay the tailor for) to get rid of any excess material that will billow up causing a ‘parachute’ effect, when tucked into your trousers.
Not only that but you also get absolute comfort in your shirt. All of our shirts are crafted using stretch cotton to mould to your body, without any of the discomfort that comes from harder fibres.
The entire look of a Tapered Menswear shirt is slick and confident. Ready to start your Tapered journey?
Check out the range now.
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Our revolutionary cut provides a 10" drop from chest to waist.
Fully fitted in chest and shoulders whilst tapering sharply down, giving a tailored look. No more bagginess in the waist.
Enhanced Darts
Expertly tailored darts at the back, for the perfect fit.
Stretch Cotton
Super soft, breathable and allows complete freedom of movement.
Perfect for the office.
With our non obtrusive logo stitched subtly on the wrist makes our TAPERED Fit Shirt ideal for formal occasions.
Tapered Fit Shirts are the true solution to your shirt fitting problem. If you want a shirt that fits your body like it should, check out or best selling shirt here
