Fit Guide for a Bamboo Shirt for Men
Short answer: A shirt has to fit in the shoulders first, then in the chest, sleeves and waist. This is a simple guide to measuring and choosing a size when you look for a bamboo shirt for men, so you avoid both too tight and too loose.
Start with the shoulders
The shoulder seam should sit at the outer edge of the shoulder. If it sits further in, the shirt is too small, and if it hangs onto the upper arm, it is too big. The shoulders cannot be changed afterwards, so use them as your starting point before you look at anything else.
Chest measurement and room to move
Measure around the widest part of the chest with a tape that lies level. Leave a finger of space and compare with the size guide. A bamboo shirt for men has a soft fall, so a little air at the chest makes it comfortable without turning it into a sack.
Sleeve length and cuff
The sleeve should end at the wrist bone when your arm hangs down, and it should handle a bent elbow without pulling. Measure from the back of the neck over the shoulder down to the wrist if you want to be sure. If the sleeve is too short, the cuff sits halfway up the forearm.
Taper and how much fabric sits at the stomach
Taper describes how much narrower the shirt is at the waist than at the chest. If you are wider at the stomach, a straight cut often sits better than a close one. Check that the buttons do not pull into folds when you sit down, because that shows the shirt is too tight.
Length at the hem and how it lies
The hem should cover your waistband when you lift your arms, and it should not hang far down your thighs. For a shirt worn out over the trousers, a shorter length can look right. For a tucked shirt you need a little extra, so it does not come loose.
Collar and neck size
Measure around the neck where the collar will sit and leave a finger of space. If the collar is too tight it presses, and if it is too loose it slides down. The collar is often the part of a shirt people notice most, so take time to get it right.
When you are between two sizes
Choose the larger one if you are in between and the shirt is for everyday wear or something goes under it. Choose the smaller one if the fabric gives and you want a closer cut. Bamboo can give a little, but remember that viscose can also shrink slightly in the wash.
Try it on with socks, a T-shirt and everything else
Try the shirt on the way you will wear it, with whatever goes underneath. The same goes for the rest of your clothes, for example all bamboo socks for men and your bamboo T-shirts for men. Then you know whether the shirt fits in daily life.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my chest
Measure around the widest part of the chest with a soft tape that lies level. Stand straight, breathe normally and compare the number with the size guide on the product page.
How long should the sleeve be
The sleeve should end at the wrist bone when your arm hangs down. Bend your elbow and check that the cuff does not ride up the forearm and that the fabric does not pull.
Should I size up in bamboo
It depends on the cut and on how much room you like. Viscose can shrink slightly in the wash, so if you are between two sizes, the larger one can be the safe choice.
