How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt — The Right Way, Once and For All

How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt — The Right Way, Once and For All. Let’s be honest—buying a good dress shirt is easy. But getting the right fit? That’s where most guys go wrong.

If your shirt feels tight when you sit, loose at the collar, or balloon-like around your waist, chances are… it’s not you. It’s the tape measure that lied. Or maybe no one ever taught you how to do it right.

So today, we’re fixing that. In this quick, real-world guide by Panache Bespoke, you’ll learn exactly how to measure yourself for a shirt like a pro. No fancy terms. No confusing diagrams. Just a tape, a mirror, and your time. How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt — The Right Way, Once and For All

1. Start With the Essentials: How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt

(Focus: Neck, Chest, Waist, and Sleeve)

Before you go measuring your biceps or shoulder angle, start simple.

What you need:
• A soft measuring tape
• A friend (optional, but helpful)
• A shirt you already own (optional)

Now let’s measure step-by-step:

NECK SIZE (Collar): How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt

Wrap the tape around the base of your neck—right where a collar sits.
Pro tip: Insert one finger inside the tape for breathing room. That’s your exact collar size.

Example: If you measure 15.75″, round up to 16″.

CHEST

Stand relaxed, arms down.
Measure around the fullest part of your chest.
Make sure the tape is level at the back and across the nipples. Don’t puff your chest—it’s not a gym mirror.

Note: This is not your jacket size. A 40” chest in a jacket = around 42-43” chest measurement for a shirt.

WAIST

This is where most people go wrong.
Measure around your natural waist (just above the belly button—not your jeans waist).
Breathe normally. No sucking in. You want a shirt that fits when you’re living in it.

SLEEVE LENGTH

Take a tape. Start at the middle of the back of your neck. Run the tape across your shoulder, down your arm, past the elbow, all the way to the wrist bone.

This is your sleeve length.
Common ranges: 32″, 33″, 34″, 35″, and 36″.

2. Bonus Fit Points You’ll Want to Measure: How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt

If you’re going bespoke or buying from Panache Bespoke, we take it further.

SHOULDERS

Measure from the edge of one shoulder to the other—across the back. This defines your overall shirt shape.

SHIRT LENGTH

From the base of your neck (back collar) straight down to where you want the shirt to end.
For tucking in, go longer. For untucked style, slightly shorter.

WRIST

Want French cuffs or button cuffs? Measure around your wrist snugly—then add half an inch for comfort.

3. Common Shirt Fit Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t use your T-shirt size. It’s not the same as your dress shirt size.
• Don’t measure over thick clothes. Always over bare skin or a thin tee.
• Don’t round down. Always round up slightly to allow movement.
• Don’t stretch the tape. Let it rest flat—not tight, not loose.

4. Still Not Sure? Let Us Help.

At Panache Bespoke, we’ve helped thousands of men—from grooms and CEOs to professors and stylish dads—get their size right the first time.

If you’re not sure how to measure yourself for a shirt, simply email us or WhatsApp a photo of you in your current best-fit shirt. We’ll guide you—no charge.

We make custom shirts from luxury Egyptian Giza cotton, soft Royal Oxford, and breathable linen—fitted exactly to your shape. With French cuffs, cutaway collars, or pin collars—whatever suits your lifestyle.

You can even send us your body photo (with tape) and we’ll extract the measurements for you.

5. Local Tailor vs. DIY — What’s Better?

If you’re in a city like New York, Chicago, London, or Dubai, local tailors will often offer measuring for $10–$20. Worth it if you want absolute precision.

But if you’re measuring at home, don’t overthink it.

Use a mirror. Stand straight. Breathe naturally. And follow this guide.

6. Ready to Get Measured? Here’s a Quick Recap:

• Neck: Around base of neck + 1 finger
• Chest: Across fullest part (don’t puff)
• Waist: Around belly button, breathe easy
• Sleeve: Middle of back neck → shoulder → elbow → wrist
• Shoulders: Back shoulder edge to edge
• Length: Collar base to desired hem
• Wrist: Snug, then add 0.5″

7. Why Fit Matters More Than Fabric

You can wear a $500 shirt—but if it doesn’t fit, it’ll feel like $5.
On the other hand, a perfectly tailored $90 Panache Bespoke shirt will make you feel like James Bond, no tux needed.

8. Where to Buy After You Measure Right

You’ve done the measuring. Now don’t waste it.

Visit https://tailormade-shirts.com and choose your shirt. Select collar, cuff, buttons, and add your initials too.

Every piece is made from scratch for you.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be a tailor to measure like one.

Just grab your tape, stand proud, follow these simple steps, and get a shirt that fits the way it should.

Because when the fit is right, everything else follows—style, confidence, and compliments.

How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt — The Right Way, Once and For All

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt

1. What is the most important shirt measurement to get right?: How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt

Your neck and chest measurements are the foundation. If your collar feels tight or your chest pulls when you move, the whole shirt feels wrong—no matter how premium the fabric is.

2. How do I measure my sleeve length correctly? How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt

Start from the center of the back of your neck, go over the shoulder, then run the tape down your arm to the wrist bone. Keep your arm slightly bent. That’s your true sleeve length.

3. Should I measure over my clothes or directly on skin? How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt

Always measure over bare skin or a very light T-shirt. Measuring over bulky clothes adds inches and ruins the accuracy.

4. I know my jacket size. Isn’t that the same as my shirt size? How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt

Nope. Jacket sizes are structured and typically larger.
For example, a 40” chest jacket usually needs a 42”–43” shirt chest measurement for a comfortable fit.

5. What if I’m between two sizes? How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt

Always round up slightly. Shirts need room to move. A tight collar or short sleeve will ruin comfort.
Tip: Panache Bespoke always adjusts this for you if you share raw numbers.

6. How do I measure my waist for a shirt?

Wrap the tape around your natural waist — usually above the belly button. Stand normally, don’t suck in. That’s your relaxed measurement.

7. How long should a dress shirt be?

If you’re tucking it in: Measure from the back collar base down to mid-fly.
If you’re wearing it untucked: Go a bit shorter, just past the beltline.

8. Can I ask Panache Bespoke to measure for me?

Yes! Just send us a clear photo of you wearing a shirt that fits you best — or a picture of you with a tape around your body.
We’ll extract your measurements and recommend the perfect size — free of charge.

9. What mistakes should I avoid while measuring myself?

• Don’t pull the tape tight — let it rest naturally.
• Don’t measure over sweatshirts.
• Don’t skip the sleeve or wrist — they matter more than you think.
• Don’t guess. Take time to measure properly once.

10. Can I use a friend or tailor instead?

Absolutely. A second person makes shoulder, sleeve, and back measurements easier.
If you’re in a big city, tailors usually offer measurement services for $10–$20. Worth it if you want accuracy.

11. Where can I buy a custom shirt after measuring myself?

Head to https://tailormade-shirts.com — the official site of Panache Bespoke.
You’ll find premium Giza cotton, Royal Oxford, and luxury linen shirts you can customize down to the last button.
Collar style, cuffs, initials — all tailored to your body.

12. Why does shirt fit matter more than fabric?

Because even the most expensive shirt feels wrong if it doesn’t fit right.
But a perfectly measured shirt, even at $90, will make you look sharp, confident, and like it was made just for you — because it was.

How to Measure Yourself for a Shirt