How a Man’s T-Shirt Should Fit: A Visual Guide

How a Man’s T-Shirt Should Fit- A Visual Guide

This T-shirt fit guide will show you exactly how a T-shirt should fit, regardless of your build.

Just like jeans, T-shirts are essential wardrobe items that every man needs to own. They’re comfortable, casual, and versatile, so you need a how a T-shirt should fit to make you look great.

Despite their ubiquity, it can be difficult to find tees that fit well, especially if you’re height or build isn’t average. For reference, the average man in America is about 5’10” and 190 pounds. If that sounds like you, congrats — it shouldn’t be hard to find a tee that fits in just about any store. However, if you are like me and stand at 5’6” and are 125 pounds, it won’t be so easy. In fact, you may not even know how a T-shirt should fit you. 

No matter your body type, here’s what you need to know to find a perfect-fitting T-shirt

Table of Contents

T-Shirts Need To Fit Properly

Call me traditional, but this oversized tee looks horrible. | Source: Neiman Marcus

Just like any other garment, T-shirts need to fit well. Even a $650 designer T-shirt will look terrible if it doesn’t fit properly.

On one side of the spectrum, you have ill-fitting, worn-out tees with obnoxious graphics. These make even the most handsome men among us like sloppy teenagers.

One the other side, you have fitted, high-quality T-shirts in versatile, solid colors or tasteful patterns. These are universally flattering, regardless of age, skin tone or body type. Needless to say, we’re going for the latter.

How a T-Shirt Should Fit (So You Can Look Your Best)

So, how should a T-shirt fit? I’m glad you asked. Let’s discuss the four most important aspects: shoulders, sleeves, torso, and length.

Keep in mind that we’re going for the most timeless look here—not too tight, not too loose. We’ll talk about other types of T-shirt fits in a later section.

T-Shirt Shoulder Fit

You want to ensure the shoulders aren’t too wide. The best way to do this is to find where your shoulder ends and your arm begins. Then, make sure the shoulder seam doesn’t go too far past that.

It’s okay if it doesn’t land directly on top of your shoulder bone, but make sure the seams aren’t hanging down on your upper arm. This is a clear sign that the shirt is too big for you.

You don’t want the shoulders too narrow, either. If the shoulder seam sits above your pecs, the shirt isn’t wide enough. 

T-Shirt Sleeve Fit

Moving on to the sleeves, you want to pay attention to length and width. Your sleeves should end about halfway between your armpit and elbow.

You don’t need to get the measuring tape out or anything like that. Just ensure the sleeves aren’t too close to your elbow (which will make your arms look shorter).

For the width, you want to ensure your sleeves aren’t tenting away from your arms. This can make it hard for people to appreciate your guns and give them the respect they deserve!

Instead, the sleeves should fit closely around your arm without being tight or restrictive (like a compression shirt you might wear for working out).

T-Shirt Torso Fit

The torso consists of the chest, stomach, and hips. You’re aiming for a fitted look — not too tight but not too loose.

If you see tension lines between your pecs, the shirt is too tight (or you simply bench press too much, bruh).

You should be able to pinch about 2-3 inches of fabric on either side of your torso. If you pinch more than that, the shirt might be too loose. It may be too tight if you can’t pinch at least an inch of fabric on either side.

Much more than 3 inches and you’re approaching “boxy tee” territory. 

T-Shirt Length Fit

The most problematic part of clothing for shorter guys is the length. It seems like every brand makes T-shirts for guys who are skinny and super tall. Or morbidly obese pre-teens (yes, I sometimes shop in the kids’ section).

Your shirt should go about two inches past your waistband (or the bottom of your belt) and end right around mid-fly. If it hits the bottom of your fly, it’s too long and will make you look shorter.

At 5’6″, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being a shorter man. But I think we can all agree that we don’t want to look shorter than we actually are.

T-Shirt Fit Types

Since clothing fit is highly subject to trends, I want to acknowledge that it’s okay to experiment with different silhouettes as long as you’re doing it intentionally.

There’s a difference between wearing a boxy-fit tee because you like the look and an ill-fitting one because you don’t know any better. 

Here are three different T-shirt fits to consider. 

Timeless Fit Tees

My T-shirt fit is perfect in this picture, as indicated by the guide. This fit should be the default for most guys. It’s universally flattering and won’t go out of style anytime soon. When in doubt, try to achieve this fit.

If you have a specific reason to deviate from this gold standard, such as if you’re going for more of a streetwear look, tread carefully. It’s easy to look like you’re wearing a costume.

Be intentional when trying out different silhouettes. In other words, don’t just grab just anything off the rack.

Also, stick to crewneck tees (with or without a pocket). V-neck t-shirts are hard to pull off unless you have a well-developed chest. 

Men’s Boxy Fit T-Shirts

Boxy tee, super wide-leg pants, chunky sneakers, and multiple necklaces… This is the opposite of timeless. | Source: H&M

At the time of writing, fashion designers are embracing looser-fitting clothes. This is partially due to a resurgence of 90s and 00s aesthetics, a period that felt a heavy influence from the 1970s. Wide-leg trousers are all the rage, and men’s boxy-fit T-shirts often accompany these roomier pants.

Personally, I avoid these trends because I like buying clothes that will look good five or more years from now. But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with looser clothing and boxy tees, so wear what makes you happy!

Muscle Fit Tees

Muscle Fit T-Shirt from Muscle Fit Basics

The muscle-fit T-shirt has more to do with your build, as a slim-fit tee will look like a muscle-fit tee on super-jacked dudes. But any guy with a bit of muscle on his bones can buy a close-fitting shirt (just look for athletic-fit T-shirts). It’s not a bad way to show off your hard-earned physique.

That said, if you don’t have a stellar bod, you might want to steer clear of this style and stick to looser fits. Some brands, such as Barbell Apparel, specialize in athletic-fits. Check out our review here

COMPRESSION FIT TEES

Compression-fit tees are like athletic tees on steroids. They’re meant to fit very snugly to the body. You can find workout shirts, undershirts, and baselayers in compression fits. 

Fitting like a second skin, these tees are meant to wick away sweat and keep your muscles warm. They may also provide a small boost to athletic performance

I wouldn’t wear a compression shirt casually, or in other words, as an outer layer anywhere but to the gym. However, a lot of guys, particularly those who work outdoors, swear by them. 

Compression-fit undershirts, in particular, make a lot of sense as they won’t be visible underneath your outer layer. 

FAQs About T-Shirt Fit

Here are answers to common questions about how tees should fit: 

Should T-shirts be tight or loose?

T-shirts should fit neither tight nor loose. They should follow the natural contours of your body without clinging. Tees also shouldn’t fit too baggy. 

How should the perfect T-shirt fit?

A perfect T-shirt should be about mid-fly length and neither too tight nor too loose in the body. The sleeves should end about halfway between the elbow and the armpit. 

Another key to having a T-shirt that fits you well is to pay attention to how it feels. It shouldn’t feel constricting, or, on the other extreme, like you’re swimming in your shirt. 

How to tell if a T-shirt is too small?

You can tell if a T-shirt is too small if the hem doesn’t reach the middle of your fly. Also, you don’t want a tee to cling to your body. Depending on the tee type, you shouldn’t have x-shaped wrinkles or long vertical wrinkles. 

How Do Your T-Shirts Fit?

Now that you know how a T-shirt should fit, it might be a good idea to audit your current shirt collection. Do they fit properly?

If they’re too long, you can get them hemmed. This is an excellent option if you already have some that you love but that are too long. Ensure you go to a tailor who can handle knits (most wedding dress alteration places are safe bets).

Pro tip: If the shirt is made from a stretchy material, double-check with the tailor that they’ll use thread with some stretch. Sometimes, tailors use regular thread, causing the stitching to break within days of wear. 

If the sleeves are too long, you can roll them up (cuff them) once or twice. But if the shoulders are too wide, you can’t fix that, so it’s best to replace the shirt with one that fits properly.

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