The shoulder line in bamboo shirts and how to see it sit properly
Short answer: The shoulder line is the seam where the sleeve meets the body of the shirt, and it should sit at the outer edge of the shoulder. If it sits too far in or out, the shirt looks off. Here is a simple way to check the shoulder line when you try on a bamboo shirt.
What the shoulder line is
The shoulder line is the seam where the sleeve is sewn to the body of the shirt. On a shirt that fits, it sits right at the outer edge of the shoulder. Bamboo in clothing is viscose made from bamboo, and many find the fabric soft, but the fit still depends on cut and size.
How to check it in the mirror
Stand in front of a mirror and look at where the seam sits and whether it follows the line of your shoulder. If the seam hangs down over the upper arm the shirt is too big, and if it is pulled in toward the neck it is too small. Look at bamboo shirt for men and compare sizes and cuts.
The shoulder line and sleeves go together
When the shoulder line sits right, the sleeve falls naturally down the arm. If the shoulder is too wide the sleeve hangs and makes folds, and if it is too narrow the sleeve strains and pulls at the upper arm. Lift your arms and lean forward to see whether the shirt moves with you.
Check the movement
A shirt should not only look good when you stand still. Lift your arms, stretch them forward and turn your upper body, and feel whether the shirt pulls at the shoulders or back. If it fits well, it moves with you without pulling the collar sideways.
The collar and the shoulder
The collar should lie flat against the neck, and the shoulder line should not pull it to one side. If the shirt is too tight at the shoulders the collar can stick out, and if it is too loose it falls to one side. Button the top button and see whether the collar sits calmly.
Size by shoulders, not by stomach
Many choose size by the stomach, but shoulders are harder to alter. Choose the size that fits at the shoulders and, if need be, have a tailor take the shirt in elsewhere. If you are between two sizes, take the one where the shoulder line sits right.
The fabric can change the fit
A soft, light fabric gives a little, so the shirt sits differently after a few hours. Wash by the label and avoid high heat so the fabric does not shrink and move the seam. Hang the shirt on a hanger with broad shoulders so the shoulder line is not pulled out of shape.
Use the seam as a rule of thumb
When you try on a shirt, check the shoulder line first, because it says a lot about the rest. If it sits right, it is easier to judge sleeves, collar and length. See also bamboo T-shirts for men and all bamboo socks for men if you want to put your clothes together.
Frequently asked questions
Where should the shoulder line sit on a shirt?
It should sit right at the outer edge of the shoulder, where the shoulder turns into the upper arm. If the seam hangs over the arm the shirt is too big, and if it is pulled toward the neck it is too small.
Can a tailor fix the shoulder line?
Altering shoulders is difficult and often costly, so choose the size by them. Length, waist and sleeves are easier to change, so a tailor can help if the rest of the shirt fits well.
How do I know if the shirt is too small at the shoulders?
Lift your arms and stretch them forward. If the shirt pulls across the back and shoulders or drags the collar sideways, it is probably too small. Try the next size and see whether the shoulder line sits right.
