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June 20, 2023 9 min read
So you want to know what size fitted shirt you are? That’s understandable; a good fitted shirt can serve as a useful garment for any number of occasions. Thanks to their simple styling, fitted shirts are easy to style however you need to match whatever event you’re going to.
Whether you’re trying to impress at the office or make a good first impression on a date, pairing a properly-sized fitted shirt with a toned, athletic physique will make you stand out from the crowd.
But this is easier said than done. If you’re looking for your fitted shirts on the racks of clothes meant for average people, you’re not going to find anything. Because you’re anything but average.
This is where TAILORED ATHLETE comes in. We know from first-hand experience just how difficult it can be to find fitting and flattering clothes once you’ve put the work in to make your body exceptional.
Whether you’re looking for the right size fitted shirt or trying to find out how a T-shirt should fit your frame, we’ve got something for you. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about finding your fitted shirt size as well as some recommendations of our own that will keep you looking fresh.
What this article covers:
This is where most people run into issues: clothes made to fit the largest number of people simply aren’t designed to accommodate your muscular frame. So no matter how many times you take your measurements or how accurate you are, you’re not going to find something in most off-the-rack stores.
There are a few key areas to be on the lookout for with standard sizing that tends to overlook athletic or muscular men:
The mistakes that are common with standard sizing have resulted in people getting the wrong idea about many athletic or muscle fit clothes. It’s understandable, since if you can’t find anything else, you have to wear what you can find.
However, with the right guide, you can work around this. Muscle shirts don’t have to be tight and make you look like a sausage bursting out of its casing. In fact, once you’re aware of these common problems, you’ll be able to find your muscle shirt size with a few simple measurements.
Shoulders: Athletic men have wider shoulders than the average male. Regular shirts, therefore, tend to be too tight across this area, restricting movement and often leading to uncomfortable and unflattering stretching.
Chest: If you're into weightlifting or bodybuilding, it's likely you've built a broad, muscular chest. Standard shirts aren’t tailored to accommodate this, leaving you with unflattering creases or tenting as the fabric stretches across your bulging pecs.
Waist: An inverse problem arises when we get to the waist. Athletic men frequently have a smaller waist relative to their chest and shoulders, which results in a bunching of fabric or a billowy fit that lacks definition and form.
You might think the answer lies in 'slim fit' or 'athletic fit' shirts. While these options might seem like a good solution, they often still miss the mark.
TAILORED ATHLETE shirts are typically designed for individuals with a slender build all over, rather than a physique characterized by a muscular upper body and a slimmer waist, which is more common in athletes and bodybuilders.
'Slim fit' shirts often have reduced fabric in the torso and waist area but might still be tight around the chest and shoulders. On the other hand, 'athletic fit' shirts may offer extra room in the upper body, but not enough to cater to those with particularly broad shoulders or a muscular chest, and they can still hang loosely around the waist.
Understanding these unique sizing challenges is the first step towards finding a perfect fit. The good news is that solutions are out there, like TAILORED ATHLETE, designed specifically with the muscular man in mind, which we'll delve into further in this article.
Trying to take all of this information into account can seem like an unnecessary chore if you’re just trying to find something comfortable to wear around the house. We don’t disagree with you there; if you’re just looking for something to wear while you’re in your garage, who cares if it’s a little frumpy?
But a good fitted shirt is much more than that. If you’re going to put the effort into improving your body, why not go the extra mile to make sure that body is being shown off to the fullest?
What muscle shirts do, and all TAILORED ATHLETE’s clothes by extension, is highlight your best features effortlessly. Once you’ve put in the work at the beginning, you never have to worry about it again.
Nothing complements an athletic body more than a well-fitted shirt. It accentuates your physique, highlighting your broad shoulders and muscular chest, while tapering down to your narrow waist.
The effect is a neat, streamlined silhouette that does justice to the countless hours you've spent honing your body.
In addition to enhancing your appearance, a properly fitted shirt significantly increases comfort.
When a shirt fits well, there's no tugging around your shoulders, no unnecessary tightness across your chest, and no billowing fabric around your waist. This not only allows for free movement but also eliminates the constant adjustments that come with ill-fitting clothing.
The importance of fit extends beyond daily wear and into the world of athletic performance, particularly for gym-goers.
In the gym, your clothing is your second skin. A shirt that fits well moves with you, accommodating the range of motion necessary for different exercises, from lifting weights to complex body movements.
Furthermore, a well-fitted shirt can contribute to better workout performance. It enhances your range of motion and avoids any distractions that may occur due to excess fabric or a shirt riding up. With a shirt that fits well, you can focus fully on your workout, striving towards your fitness goals without hindrance.
This is one of the guiding principles behind TAILORED ATHLETE’s muscle fit shorts, pants, and t-shirts. We want you to be comfortable so you can live your life freely, without any of the restrictions of run-of-the-mill garments.
Conversely, poorly fitted clothing can become an obstacle to your performance and even lead to potential injuries. A shirt that's too tight might restrict your movement, limiting your ability to perform certain exercises correctly. This not only affects your workout effectiveness but could also lead to muscle strain or sprain.
Similarly, a shirt that's too loose can also be a problem. Extra fabric can get in the way, causing discomfort during workouts. It could also potentially become a safety hazard if it gets caught in gym equipment.
Understanding the importance of shirt fit is the first step towards better comfort, improved performance, and enhanced safety. Brands like TAILORED ATHLETE, with their emphasis on creating shirts specifically designed for athletic men and bodybuilders, take these factors into account, providing a solution to the common problems faced when shopping in regular stores.
So you’re convinced. Taking the time to find out your fitted shirt fit is essential to not only the way you look, but the way you feel and carry yourself.
What’s the next step? Well, it’s time to get down to brass tacks and figure out how to take your measurements so you can find your size.
As always, you should have a full-body mirror, a measuring tape, and a notepad handy so you can jot down your measurements. There are a few to take, and you’re not going to be able to just remember them without risking muddling them up.
To get your precise measurements, follow these steps:
Shoulder: Stand upright with your shoulders relaxed. Measure from one shoulder point (where the horizontal plane of your shoulder meets your arm) to the other, across the back.
Chest: Lift your arms and wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest. Keep the tape measure snug but not tight. Lower your arms to your sides—this is your chest measurement.
Waist: Measure around your natural waistline, which is typically the narrowest part of your waist. It's located just above your navel and below your rib cage. Again, keep the tape measure snug but not tight.
Remember to keep the tape measure parallel to the ground for all measurements, and don't hold your breath—you need to breathe normally to get the most accurate reading. You’re going to be breathing in your clothes, after all.
Once you have your measurements, you can reference the TAILORED ATHLETE size chart on our website. This chart has been designed specifically with athletic men in mind, taking into account the broader shoulders and chest, along with the narrower waist typical of such physiques.
The size chart translates your measurements into sizes ranging from small to extra-large. Simply find the range that best corresponds with your measurements. Remember, these measurements are your body measurements, not the measurements of the shirts themselves.
If your measurements fall between sizes, a good rule of thumb is to go for the larger size. TAILORED ATHLETE shirts are designed to flatter your physique, and a little extra room can be more comfortable than a shirt that's too tight.
For non-standard sizes, like if your chest and shoulder measurements suggest one size but your waist suggests another, don't worry. TAILORED ATHLETE designs its shirts with a tapered waist, accommodating the V-shaped physique typical of athletic men. So, select the size that corresponds to your shoulder and chest measurements.
Remember, the goal is to find a shirt that is comfortable, enhances your appearance, and allows for optimal performance. TAILORED ATHLETE understands the unique sizing needs of athletic men and bodybuilders, ensuring you no longer have to struggle to find the right fit in regular stores.
That’s all the tricky stuff out of the way, now we can get to what we came here for: finding a fitted shirt that looks great on your frame.
As far as fitted shirts go, we believe there’s one that’s a cut above the rest, and it’s only available at TAILORED ATHLETE.
Our Muscle Fit Signature Shirt 2.0 in black is a unique design that’s aimed to give you form and comfort while still looking sharp.
It’s cut according to our True Muscle Fit, meaning it contours around your muscles rather than forcing them into weirtd shapes so you look like a marshmallow man.
Equipped with our premium 4-way stretch fabric, this shirt can take pretty much anything you can throw at it, so you don’t need to worry that it’s going to split apart at the seams. It can keep up with your active lifestyle.
It’s also machine washable, so you don’t have to slow down or take time to go to a specialist just to get it clean. This shirt is perfect for a formal office meeting or a night on the town if you feel like showing up all of your friends.
A fitted shirt should highlight your physique without constricting your movement. It should be snug, but not too tight. You should be able to move freely, and there shouldn't be any strain or pulling across your shoulders or chest when you move your arms.
This is a common issue for athletic men and bodybuilders, as they often have a larger chest and a smaller waist. TAILORED ATHLETE shirts are designed to cater to this 'V' body shape, with a more generous cut in the chest and a taper towards the waist. Choose the size that best matches your chest measurement, and the shirt should still fit well around your waist.
Your body may change over time due to weight fluctuations, muscle gain, or loss. It's a good idea to re-measure yourself every few months, or if you notice a significant change in your body shape or the way your clothes fit.
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