If you’re in the market for a new shirt, you might feel a little overwhelmed by the variety of fits on offer, and apprehensive to pull the trigger on the purchase of a new shirt.
I’m here to tell you that your apprehension is justified – getting the correct shirt fit that is appropriate for your body is vital - it can make the difference between looking like a professional and looking like you're still in high school.
For example if you are a muscular build you would opt for a muscle fit shirt.
But what are the different types of shirt fits? How should they all fit? And how do you know which type of shirt fit is right for you? Keep reading and we’ll make sure you don’t look like a sausage stuffed in its casing, or a 13-year-old kid borrowing their dad’s old shirts for the first time.
Shirt Fit Guide
Before I dive in there are 8 different types of shirt fits you can choose from, these are listed below to make it easy to find your the right one for you:
Slim Fit
Regular Fit
Tailored Fit
Muscle Fit
Modern Fit
Skinny Fit
Athletic Fit
Tapered Fit
How Do You Choose a Shirt That Fits You?
Choosing a shirt that fits you is important, it will make or break your whole look. As there are several types of different fit it can be confusing to understand which will be best for you.
The right way to choose the best fit for you is by body type. Most of the shirt fits are self explanatory but luckily in this article we break down which type of body shape each shirt fit is best for!
Looking for a shirt that fits perfectly to your body? Check out our collection of fitted shirts here.
What is a Slim Fit Shirt?
Slim fit shirts are slim through the body and chest, as well as through the waist and sleeves They are also slim through the collar (which can be a bit uncomfortable if you're wearing your shirt buttoned up).
They’re a very popular choice, especially amongst slimmer men who can wear them comfortably – their snug fit is flattering to slim physiques and their shape is generally considered more fashionable than regular fits.
If you're buying a slim fit shirt, make sure it isn't too tight so that it cuts off circulation. You should be able to breathe easily and move comfortably when wearing this type of shirt.
Who Are Slim Fit Shirts For?
Slim fit shirts are for anyone who wants to look sharp and professional – but are most appropriate for slimmer men. Slim-fit shirts can be worn in any setting and are ideal for a wide range of professions, from sales jobs to office work.
They're a great way to show off your slender physique without looking overly ostentatious or flashy, so they're perfect for anyone who wants to make an impression on the first date.
What is a Regular Fit Shirt?
Regular fit shirts are the most popular option for men's dress shirts or denim shirts. They're not too tight, but they also aren't too loose.
They represent a standard body type and are designed to fit all body types reasonably, but few ideally. They’re usually very straight shirts and don’t cling to the body.
The fit is usually quite comfortable, although care needs to be taken when selecting a size as you can easily end up with a shirt that is far too baggy at the waist.
Your shoulder proportions should be one of the deciding factors when selecting a regular fit size; if they’re too wide or narrow, in the best case it can make you look disproportionate and unflattering, and in the worst case it will make the shirt extremely uncomfortable and unwearable.
Finally, the collar should hit right at your neckline without being so small that it digs into it. Whether it's a grandad collar, spread or point collar.
If you're buying a regular fit shirt, you want it to be loose enough that it doesn't restrict your movement, but not so loose that it looks like you borrowed your dad's clothes.
You don't want to look like you're swimming in your clothes—you want them to fit snuggly around your arms, chest, shoulders, and waist.
Who are Regular Fit Shirts For?
Regular fit shirts are designed for the average person, who tends to have an average build and measurements.
If you have unique measurements; perhaps you're on the shorter side or have a larger bust, then regular-fit shirts may not be your best bet. You might fit any one of tailored, modern, slim, muscle, or skinning shirts better.
But if you have standard measurements, and are looking for an easy convenient shirt to get the job done, a regular-fit shirt might be for you.
What is a Tailored Fit Shirt?
Tailored fit shirts are a bit more fitted than regular shirts, and tighter than slim fit shirts – ideally combing the best of the two.
A tailored fit shirt will have some room in the shoulders and chest, but it won't look boxy because of darts in the back that help create a V-shaped silhouette.
These shirts also have slightly shorter sleeves and sides that taper in toward the waist, which gives them a sleeker appearance than other shirt styles.
Who are Tailored Fit Shirts For?
Tailored fit shirts are ideal for slim men, or those with slightly muscular bodies. Remember, these shirts are cut to fit the body of a man, which means that they are made to be more fitted than regular shirts.
The shirt is meant to hug your body, and this will create a slimming effect – whilst accentuating your physique.
What is a Muscle Fit Shirt?
Muscle fit shirts are a type of shirt that is designed to fit muscular bodies. They are often made with a tighter fit and they often have more design elements than regular fitting shirts.
Muscle fit shirts are designed to be snug and form-fitting so that the muscles in your arms, chest, and abs stand out in all their glory.
The fabric mimics performance fit that stretches with you as you move around, but doesn't lose its shape.
This is compared to slim fitting shirts that will likely result in excessive bagging at the waist in order to accommodate muscular shoulders and arms or slim fits that likely result in uncomfortable and restricted arms and shoulders in order to accommodate a slim waist.
Who are Muscle Fit Shirts For?
Muscle fit shirts are designed to fit snugly to your body, so they accentuate your physique and make you look like a total hunk.
They're great for anyone who wants to show off their muscles: bodybuilders, weightlifters, and even everyday gym-goers can all benefit from wearing muscle-fit shirts.
White Tapered Fit ShirtMuscle fit shirts are for the person who is looking for a shirt that will make them look leaner, stronger, and more athletic. Muscle fit shirts are meant to accentuate your muscles, giving you that fit and athletic appearance.
What is a Modern Fit Shirt?
A modern fit is similar to a regular fit, but it conforms just a little bit closer to the body and has some size adjustments made in key areas to result in a fit that is deemed more stylish.
The most obvious adjustments include changes to the sleeves, shoulders, waist, and chest. For example, with modern fitted shirts, the sleeves and shoulders are typically tightened by between half an inch and an inch.
Who are Modern Fit Shirts For?
Modern fit shirts are ideal for those who want to show off their body, as the tighter fit can accentuate your physique.
The modern fit will flatter any body type, but it does not have much room in the chest so if you have broad shoulders or a wide back, this may not be the best option for you.
What is a Skinny Fit Shirt?
Typically, a skinny fit is the most fitted shirt. As the name would suggest, it's narrower than regular shirts and slim-fit shirts and best for men with smaller frames.
The shirt will sit very close to the body, with a tight fit on the shoulders, waist, and sleeves.
Who are Skinny Fit Shirts For?
If you're on the slimmer side, this style will look great on you – but should only be considered for those with very slender physiques. For most people, skinny-fit shirts will simply be far too tight.
What is an Athletic Fit Shirt?
An athletic fit shirt is a shirt that is designed to be more flexible and comfortable than other types of shirts. They are typically made from fabrics that are lightweight, stretchy, and moisture-wicking.
A good athletic fit shirt will allow you to move freely while keeping you dry and comfortable.
Similar to slim-fit, athletic fit shirts feature a cut that is close to the body, but less close than skinny shirts.
The main difference between athletic and slim-fit shirts is usually the material of fabrication, and the intended use case; athletic shirts are usually made of breathable and stretchy fabrics and can be worn when active.
Athletic shirts also usually provide more room in the upper body than their slim counterparts, featuring slightly lower armholes and a slightly more aggressive taper.
Athletic shirts also typically incorporate darts in the back to draw in excessive fabric, and prevent unwanted bagging, or billowing when tucked in.
Who are Athletic Fit Shirts For?
Athletic fit shirts are for people who want to be comfortable, but still look good. As the name would suggest, they're for people who are active, but not necessarily just in the gym or at the track.
A good fitting Athletic fit shirt will make you feel like you're wearing nothing at all, providing you with the room and range of motion required to do what you need to do, whilst also offering a snug and stylish fit that is contoured to your athletic frame.
Dress Shirt Fit Types
So now you know the most common dress shirt fit types for men. These include slim fit, regular fit, athletic or muscle fit.
Choosing the right fit for you is typically dependent on your body type. But let's get into the most important fit and our very own Tapered Fit.
Tapered Fit Shirts
What if you have large, muscular shoulders and arms, but a slender waist? With a regular fit, you’d have to size up to accommodate your arms and shoulders, resulting in a waist that is far too big and hangs off your body awkwardly.
With a slim fit shirt, you might get the desired fit for your slender wait, but you’d likely find the shoulders and arms far too tight and restrictive. That’s where TAPERED shirts come in.
Unlike regular fit shirts that are designed for the average body, TAPERED shirts are designed by industry experts and experienced tailors to give a shirt fit that is perfect for the athletic or muscular frame.
White Tapered Fit Shirt and Olive Tapered Fit Shirt
The innovative taper design is wider at the shoulders and arms to allow you to comfortably showcase those muscles, and tapers down towards the waist, resulting in a fit that is snug to your midriff.
The result? With TAPERED clothing you get a fit that delivers the best of both worlds, a comfortable fit at the shoulders and arms for your muscular frame, and a stylish fit at the waist that hugs your body, showcasing your lean appearance.
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
