Nothing shows us more the importance of ‘fitting right’ than shoes.
Imagine receiving a pair of shoes you’ve been longing for but that you finally can’t wear because they are not a fit.
This will, at first sight, appear to be worse than the case of an unfitting shirt but both situations would not be appropriate for a business environment.
There are so many factors brought up by brands such as designs, colours, materials, and their origins, that try to – indirectly – persuade consumers that the right fit should be the least of their preoccupations. Yet at the end of the day you’ll have on an Egyptian cotton shirt you find yourself readjusting every 2 minutes during a presentation – and let’s admit that this is not a very comfortable scenario.
Knowing why your shirt should fit as well as how it should fit is essential for your mental and physical comfort at work.
Why is a business shirt fit important?
Comfort
Comfort, at all levels, is the anchor of a healthy being and one of the main reasons why it is important to have a business shirt that fits right.
Having on a shirt that is too tight (limiting your movements) or too loose (making you readjust every lapse of time) may create an uncomfortable sentiment throughout the day and this may hinder your productivity.
Also, learn about the top business shirt brands.
Makes you look stylish
Wearing a business shirt that fits makes you look good. It removes the sloppiness out of your attire as the shirt conforms to your body’s shape, allowing you space to move and breathe, while also giving you a sense of self-esteem.
Happiness and confidence
When we wear something that fits well and looks good on us, it is inevitable to realize how happy and confident that makes us feel.
Your appearance is the first thing people see about you
Before people find out you are an amazing person, your physical appearance will have a lot to do with how they see you.
Business shirts that do not fit right, by being too tight, for example, tend to have wrinkles by the armpits and the buttons because of the pressure on the ribcage. They may also limit the movements of the wearer and make him have a hard time breathing.
All these may sell out a bad first impression and may also ruin your professional image.
A shirt that fits, on the contrary, will give off the impression that you take good care of yourself and this may be a plus at an interview or business meeting.
How should a business shirt fit?
How well your business shirt fits will primarily depend on your fit category. A stocky build man, for example, will find it hard fitting into a tailored or European fit shirt, as the latter suits an average size man. It is important to know your body type and size to get the right shirt – and more importantly, one that fits correctly.
How well a shirt fits will depend on the below:
Collar
- You need to be able to slip in your two fingers but not the whole hand – otherwise, it’ll be too big.
- Wearing the shirt should enable you to breathe normally, even after you button up. If you have a hard time breathing and can’t slip in two fingers, your shirt is too small.
Shoulders
- The shoulder seam should sit at the edge of your shoulder.
- You need to be able to move your hands freely.
- The sleeves should not end up on your shoulders nor the shoulder point on your upper arm; that will not look good.
Torso
- There should be no pressure on your ribcage. If you feel the shirt extremely close to your body when taking a deep breath, it is too tight.
- You should be able to button your shirt easily.
- Your shirt’s bottom should be long enough to wear it tucked in but not be felt by your thighs.
Sleeves
- You should not feel a slight pinch on your elbows when you move.
- The hems should cover your wrist correctly; they should not be above or more than 2 cm after the wrist.
- The sleeves should be tighter by the wrist but less by the upper arm.
You have, now, no other excuses to wear a shirt that doesn’t fit, so go get them and be happy.
