The fit of your office shirt matters because it is usually worn tucked in. The size of your body determines the fit that flatters most, not what most people are wearing these days. Purchasing a fitting shirt doesn’t mean you opt for a slim-fit to “fit your body better”. Below highlights the general differences between slim and regular fit shirts to help you decide which fit to go for.
A regular fit can still be tapered to your body.
Slim fit
If the shape of your body belongs to categories such as “skinny”, “slender”, “lean” or “slim”, then you most probably need a slim fit. People of these categories have a tendency to find tucked in shirts spilling out, giving a muffin-like appearance. The sides of slim fit shirts are tapered (crescent-like curves instead of straight down the sides) as a solution. To compensate for the thinner midsection, the sleeves are now tighter as well.
Regular fit
If you belong to the beefier category, muscle or not, you should be considering a regular fit. The common misconception is to confuse regular fit with the classic or relaxed fit. While the regular fit will be a good match for the average body size, the classic fit adds more material for an airy feel and utility. The regular fit can still be tapered to your body while leaving the right amount of room to breathe in.
Conclusion
Bear in mind that the rules mentioned are just general guidelines to follow when buying your shirts. Ideally, you end up with a shirt which:
1) does not spill out when tucked in.
2) is not skin-tight that you can hardly move in it.
Guidelines for casual, tucked out shirts can be different and will be covered in future posts. It is recommended to try each fit before deciding which flatters you most, without excess bulge or looking oversized. For custom menswear, your tailor should know what style and fit brings out the best in you.
