Essentials: How to Get the Right Fit

This is an article series that I’ve been wanting to do for a while. I think it’s important to focus on the essentials that every man should have in his wardrobe. This is something I’d have loved when I was just getting into styling and fashion. It may come across quite basic but it is designed for readers who are just embarking on their own style journeys. A good starting point is to go back and check out the article I wrote a while back What is Style?

There are probably a few other guides out there that have already done what I’ve attempted. That’s why I’m going to try and make this a bit more interactive. So if you have any essential pieces that you want covering leave a comment below. I’m also going to feature videos quite heavily in this article series. It’s easier to follow often when you can actually see examples to back up the words. I’m going to try and record as many videos as possible so I can talk through what’s going on in the video.

Why is the fit so important?

Having good fitting clothes are the foundation to having great style. You wouldn’t build a house on rubbish foundations. Clothes are no different, having a great fit can make the difference between looking like you’ve just thrown some items on and an overall polished look. We quite often get one size and then stick with that size in whatever we buy. But sizes vary from store to store, brand to brand. A medium in one shop maybe a large in another and vice versa. That’s why it’s so crucial to try on a few sizes when you are out shopping.

Shirts – When it comes to shirts you want the body of the shirt to skim your body. You don’t want the fabric sagging at the sides when the shirt is tucked in. Nor do you want it too tight that the fabric billows around the button holes. You’ll see a creasing effect if it is too tight. A good rule of thumb when it comes to the collar size is to put one finger down there. If there is just enough room for it to fit and move around then the collar size is correct.

Trousers -  You need to consider both the leg length and the size of the waist. You don’t want trousers to be tight, however they should be comfortable and stay in place when belted. A good indication that the trousers are too tight are when the pockets flare open, they should lay flat and closed. For the leg length you want about an inch break from the bottom of the shoe to the bottom of the trouser. Most off the rack trousers will need some alteration to the leg length.

When it comes jeans fit varies slightly. Jeans comes in a huge variety of different cuts and fits. A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything too baggy or jeans that look like they’ve been painted on. A skinny jean that’s tailored is good but nut huggers are a definite no no, unless you’re a 15 year old emo.

Let me know what you think by commenting below.

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