Types of Fitted Shirts
A tight-fitting shirt is often referred to as a fitted or tailored garment that closely follows the contours of the body. Form-fitting garments, such as tank tops, are known for their straight, tight-fitting design without sleeves. Other styles include:
- Long sleeve tight shirts, like the henley shirt, which has buttons at the neck and can be either short-sleeved or long-sleeved.
- A full sleeve shirt, also known as a long sleeve shirt, covers the entire arm.
- Muscle shirts, which are tight fitting to show off the wearer’s physique.
Sleeve Designs and Shirt Lengths
- Butterfly sleeves are an elegant and feminine addition to a shirt, featuring puffed tops tapering down to a tight fit at the bottom.
- Droptail tees have a back section longer than the front, designed to create a trailing tail effect, originating from tailcoats.
- Different sleeve lengths include the sleeveless shirt, half sleeve shirts, 3/4 sleeve shirts, and full sleeve shirts.
Choosing the Right Fit
When determining how tight a shirt should be, you should be able to pinch about 2-3 inches of fabric on either side of your torso. Slim fit t-shirts have shorter sleeves and hug the body, while classic fit t-shirts offer a straight fit with less tapering. For muscle emphasis, a muscle fit shirt provides a bit of stretch for freedom of movement while still fitting close to an athletic build.
The ideal wardrobe for a man might include around 30 tops—a mix of shirts, polos, and tees—with shoes kept in single digits, excluding specific activity footwear.
Special Shirt Types
- A polo shirt serves as a great alternative to a standard button-up shirt.
- Raglan shirts feature a three-quarter length sleeve as a standard for baseball tees.
- Henley shirts are characterized by buttons at the neck and can come in various sleeve lengths.
To ensure the proper fit in terms of sleeve length when shopping for shirts, always follow the specific measurement guides provided by the retailer.