How Should Dress Shirts Fit?
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Finding the right dress shirt fit is a combination of measurements, movement, and preference. While trends come and go, a well-fitting shirt always balances clean lines with comfort and mobility. So how should a men’s dress shirt fit? How should it move with you? What makes it fit your specific body type(opens in new window) and personal style? Here are the answers.
What’s the Ideal Fit for a Men’s Dress Shirt?
A dress shirt should follow the shape of your body without pulling, billowing, or restricting movement. It should sit neatly on your shoulders, taper slightly through the torso, and offer just enough room in the sleeves and collar to move comfortably.
In other words: tailored, not tight.
Shoulders
The shoulder seams should line up with the edge of your shoulders—not drooping down your arms or sitting too high on your traps. This is one of the easiest visual cues to tell if a shirt fits. A seam that lands too far off your shoulder usually means the shirt is too large overall. If you struggle to raise your hands over your hands (think: doing the wave at a football game), then it’s too tight.
Chest and Torso
There should be just enough room through the chest to move freely without extra fabric pooling when the shirt is tucked in. If the buttons pull or gap, it’s too small. If you can pinch more than 2–3 inches of fabric at your sides, it’s too big.
For a more athletic look, choose a trim fit(opens in new window) that tapers through the waist. For a more relaxed silhouette, a classic fit(opens in new window) gives you more room while still staying clean. You can explore both fits in the Leeward Dress Shirt collection(opens in new window).
Sleeves
Sleeves should fit close to the arm without being tight. You want natural movement without excess fabric. Cuffs should land at the break of your wrist, about where your thumb bone begins. Ideally, a watch would peek out underneath the cuff without being completely hidden or completely exposed. When in doubt, try the shirt on with your arms at your sides and again bent at the elbow. No pulling? No problem.
Collar
The collar should sit comfortably around your neck—not tight, but not loose. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit one finger between your neck and the collar when buttoned. Any more room than that and it may look sloppy (especially with a tie).
Mizzen+Main’s bestselling performance dress shirts(opens in new window) come with a variety of collar options. There are spread collars for a formal look, hidden button-down for a casual feel with extra structure, and button through collars for a classic look.
Length
The right dress shirt length depends on how you plan to wear it.
- If you’re tucking it in, the hem should fall several inches below your belt line so it stays in place all day.
- If you prefer wearing it untucked, look for a style designed with a shorter hem and tailored sides. Mizzen+Main’s No Tuck dress shirts(opens in new window) are cut specifically for this.
What if You’re Between Sizes?
Fit can vary slightly between brands. At Mizzen+Main, we offer multiple fits (Classic and Trim) and lengths (Regular, Tall, and No Tuck) across our most popular performance dress shirts(opens in new window) so you can find what works best for you.
If you're between sizes:
- Try sizing up or selecting classic fit if you prefer more room in the shoulders or chest
- Go with true to size or trim fit if you're looking for a closer fit through the torso
- Look for Tall Length if you're over 6'2"
- Consider No Tuck if you want a shirt designed to wear untucked without looking too long
Why Fit Matters
Even the best shirt won’t look right if it doesn’t fit. A good fit ensures better structure, cleaner lines, and more confidence (opens in new window)—whether you’re in a meeting, heading to dinner, or presenting at your next big event.
With lightweight performance fabrics and multiple fit options, Mizzen+Main dress shirts are built to look tailored, feel breathable, and fit just right.