Top
ArticleCity.comArticle Categories Dress Shirt 101: How to Measure a Shirt that I Already Own

Dress Shirt 101: How to Measure a Shirt that I Already Own

Photo from Unsplash

Originally Posted On: https://www.deoveritas.com/blog/measure-a-shirt/

 

The easiest and best way to order a custom dress shirt is to measure a shirt that already fits you well.  Most reputable online custom dress shirt makers will provide instructions on how you can measure a shirt that fits you well as opposed to standard ‘off the rack’ sizing or traditional body measurements.

Before you begin, make sure you have a measuring tape, like the one shown below.  Measure your existing shirt per the instructions shown. Do not add any tolerance. These are finished or ‘cut’ measurements. The measurements provided should be the exact same as the shirt in which it is being measured from. This ensures that you’ll receive a shirt that is a very close clone of the original.

Soft cloth tape measure

 

Step 1 — How to Measure Sleeve Length

There are two methods that shirt makers use for measuring sleeve length:

Method 1 — The Traditional ‘Off the Rack’ Measurement

This method is simpler and what you’re accustomed to seeing on most off the rack shirts.  The disadvantage to the simplicity is that the back (yoke) and sleeve length are combined which can result in some inaccuracies depending on your arm length or back size.

INSTRUCTION:  Lay the sleeve flat on it’s front and measure from the middle of the back (just beneath the collar) to the end of the cuff. If this is for a short sleeve shirt, please measure as described. Our tailors will determine the correct length if a short sleeve option is selected.

how to measure sleeve length

Measuring sleeve length from the center of the back

Method 2 — Measured from the Shoulder to the Wrist

This method tends to be more accurate as the sleeve measurement is decoupled / separate from the yoke (back) measurement.

INSTRUCTION:  Lay the sleeve flat and measure from the top of the shoulder to the end of the cuff. If this is for a short sleeve shirt, measure to the desired length — just beneath where the bicep lies is typically preferable.

 

Measuring sleeve length from the shoulder

 

Step 2 — How to Measure the Collar

INSTRUCTION:  Lay the shirt flat on it’s back, remove any wrinkles, and measure from the center of the collar button to the furthest edge of the buttonhole.

NOTE: If you are inputting a standard collar size from an existing shirt, measure as shown above. Collar sizes on off the rack shirts are commonly upto 0.5″ larger than the listed size.

How to measure your collar

How to Measure Your Collar

 

How to Measure Your Collar

Measure to the edge of the buttonhole

 

Step 3 — How to Measure the Chest

INSTRUCTION:  Lay the shirt completely flat, and measure from edge to edge.  Ensure that the shirt is fully stretched and that the seams are visible.

How to Measure the Chest

Shirt Chest Measurement

 

Step 4 — How (and Where) to Measure the Waist

INSTRUCTION:  At the skinniest part of the torso — typically the fifth button, lay the shirt flat and measure across the surface of the shirt. This is where to measure the waist.

 

How to Measure the Waist

How to Measure the Waist

 

Step 5 — How (and Where) to Measure the Hips (Hem)

INSTRUCTION:  Lay the shirt flat (buttoned) and measure from one of the bottom seams to the other.

How to Measure the Hem / Hip

How to Measure the Hem / Hip

 

Step 6 — How to Measure the Shoulders

INSTRUCTION:  Lay the shirt flat (buttoned) on it’s front and measure from one edge of the shoulder to the other.

NOTE:  This measurement is not necessary if you’re using standard / off the rack sleeve measurements (e.g. 30 — 37″) as the sleeve and back measurements are combined.

How to measure the back

How to measure the back

 

Step 7 — How to Measure the Sleeve Width

INSTRUCTIONS:  Lay the sleeve flat and measure from the top of the shoulder to the underarm.

How to Measure the Sleeve Width

How to Measure the Sleeve Width

 

Step 8 — How to Measure the Cuff

INSTRUCTIONS:  Place the cuff on a flat surface. Place the measuring tape on the outer edge of the button hole and measure across to the center of the button.

 

How to Measure the Cuff

 

Step 9 — How to Measure Shirt Length

INSTRUCTIONS:  Lay the shirt flat (buttoned) on its front and measure from the the bottom of the collar band to the bottom of the shirt.

How to Measure Shirt Length

How to Measure Shirt Length

 

Check out some of our other Popular Guides…

The Men’s White Dress Shirt — A Definitive Buying Guide on our Favorites

Necktie Knots — A Definitive Guide to Wearing the Proper Knot

Untucked vs. Tucked In — A Guide to Dress Shirt Length

No Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.