Whether you’re tired of shirts that don’t fit right or just looking to up your appearance, the obvious starting point is graduating from off-the-rack options to custom-fit dress shirts.
The Problem with Off-the-Rack Shirts
Sure, off-the-rack fits some gents. But for the rest of us, small, medium, and large options don’t cut it. Adding in a sleeve and neck sizing doesn’t offer much sizing range.
- Poor Sizing Options: Standard sizes rarely consider torso and arm length or shoulder and chest width, forcing guys into choosing from standard sizes that don’t match their measurements.
- Standardized Construction: Mass-produced shirts aim to create a size that will fit most, like a boxy, unflattering shape aimed at “the average guy” but doesn’t fit most. Additionally, off-the-rack often chases trends that may not reflect your taste, like trying to put everyone in a super slim-fit shirt.
- Inconsistencies Across Brands: Small, medium, and large may vary widely across brands, creating an unpredictable sizing experience.
Why Fit Matters in Dress Shirts
- Flattering Appearance: A dress shirt made to your measurements and your style preferences creates a clean, sharp silhouette that flatters.
- All-Day Comfort: Rather than forcing your way into a shirt that’s too small or fighting the extra fabric of a shirt that’s too large, custom-fit dress shirts have the right amount of room and give, keeping you comfortable.
- Confidence Boost: A made-to-measure shirt looks and feels better, giving you a little extra self-assurance in the morning.
Key Areas of Fit
- Collar: Should fit snugly but allow room for two fingers.
- Shoulders: Seams should sit at the edge of your shoulders.
- Chest & Waist: Tailored, but not tight, to provide shape without restriction.
- Sleeves: Cuffs should stop before your hands and be easy to button without being loose.
- Length: Long enough to tuck in comfortably without easily slipping out throughout the day.
The Benefits of Custom-Fit Shirts
- Perfect Fit for Every Body Type: Custom-fit dress shirts don’t require sacrifice. A shirt made to your unique measurements guarantees a flattering fit.
- Premium Fabrics: Rather than accepting the colors, patterns, and materials a company offers, custom allows you to select high-quality materials based on texture, weight, style, patterns, and colors.
- Personalization Options: A good shirtmaker allows you to select essential details.
- Durability and Long-Term Value: Custom usually costs more upfront, but higher-quality materials are more durable, allowing the shirt to last longer.
- Sustainability: Custom means made when there’s demand, avoiding unsold products. Better materials will last longer and not require a replacement as soon.
The Proper Cloth Process
- Easy Online Sizing: Most customers start with Proper Cloth’s Smart Size Quiz, an algorithm based on thousands of data points. Other ways to create a size include measuring a shirt, mailing a shirt, measuring your body, or visiting a showroom.
- Fabric Selection: Once you know your size, you can choose from a massive library of fabrics, ranging from material to weight to style.
- Style Personalization: Put your stamp on your dress shirt by choosing the style of your cuffs, collar, hem, pockets, and more.
- Saved Profiles: After you create a size, you can order new shirts in your existing size or create new profiles for different styles.
- Fast Delivery: Proper Cloth usually has your new custom-fit shirts at your door in under two weeks.
- Real Customer Services: We offer free remakes and free returns. We also have a variety of ways to get in touch with customer service, including speaking with a real person on the phone.
Design Your Custom Shirt Today
If you’re ready to elevate your wardrobe with custom-fit dress shirts, you can get started by creating a size. With a fit guarantee, free returns and remakes, a library of fabrics, and customization options, Proper Cloth is an easy, risk-free, and sophisticated way to take your style up a notch.
Want to hear the hype from someone else? Check out our recent write-up in The New York Times Wirecutter.
