Tightness Under the Armpits of Shirt

Problem description

In some cases you may be able to see pulling lines at the front and/or back of the shirt running from the armpits up towards the collar. In other cases the shirt may look great, but (particularly if you’re not used to having a really tailored shirt) you may just be bothered by the extra contact under the arms.

Possible solutions

There are four possible solutions you will want to consider. Use the descriptions below to determine which of these apply to your particular situation and to what degree or combination:

  1. Making the Sleeve Width wider
  2. Adjusting the Shoulder Slope to Lowered -0.2″, -0.6″, or -1.0″
  3. Making the Chest Width larger
  4. Switching to the (Very) Tailored Shoulder/Armpit Fit

Making the Sleeve Width wider

Making the Sleeve Width wider is a sure-fire way to increase the size of the armhole and thus reduce tightness in the armpit. However, this can also make the sleeves baggier (which may not be desired). So, before using this solution, try to determine if the Sleeve Width is too tight in any other areas.

Does the shirt feel tight around the sleeve – or does bending the arm cause an uncomfortable tightness around the elbow? If so, you will want to increase the Sleeve Width anyways which will also help relieve tightness in the armpit.

Lowering the Shoulder Slope

Tightness in the armpits can also be caused by sloped shoulders. Look for the symptoms of sloped shoulders: primarily lines running from the bottom of the armpits up towards the back of the collar. If these are present (and depending on the degree), then change the Shoulder Slope from Standard to Lowered Shoulders -0.2″, Lowered Shoulders -0.6″, or Lowered Shoulders -1.0″.

Lowering the Shoulder Slope lowers the entire armhole (including the armpit) from the Standard setting.

  • Lowered Shoulders -0.2” will lower the armhole and shoulders of the shirt by 0.2″ from “Standard.”
  • Lowered Shoulders -0.6” will lower the armhole and shoulders of the shirt by 0.6” from “Standard.”
  • Lowered Shoulders -1.0” will lower the armhole and shoulders of the shirt by 1.0” from “Standard.”

Making the Chest Width larger

The Chest Width being too small can also cause the shirt to feel tight in the armpits.  Try to gauge if the shirt is pulling tightly around the chest at the sides of the body or at the center button. Adjust the Chest Width larger to give more room in the chest. Generally speaking, at least 0.5″ of increase to the Chest Width is needed to make the chest feel noticeably more comfortable for the wearer.

Switching to (Very) Tailored Shoulder/Armpit Fit

This is surprising to some people, but the Tailored Shoulder/Armpit Fit will place the armpit 1/8” lower than the Full Shoulder/Armpit Fit with everything else the same in the shirt size. The Very Tailored Shoulder/Armpit Fit will lower the armpit slightly more. Thus, if you simultaneously want to clean up the look of the sleeve at the shoulder, and reduce the feeling of tightness under the arms, then give this a try.

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