How it should fit
The fit of the midsection is a matter of personal preference. If you prefer a more relaxed fit, you can make the midsection as loose as you like. If you desire a tailored, slim-fit look, you’ll want the midsection of the shirt to sit fairly close to your body, but not be so tight that it causes pulling at your stomach.
How the measurement works
The midsection of the shirt is measured across the center of the middle of the shirt body. This is at the point directly between the bottom of the armpits and the bottom of the shirt side seams. Increasing the shirt back length, which elongates the shirt body, will proportionately lower the middle point of the shirt across which the midsection width is measured.
Modifying the midsection width by 1” adjusts the shirt circumference around your body by 2”.