How To Ensure Your Apparels Fit Right

The tips below are the result of my research and constitute the rules regarding the proper fitting of apparels. I understand that over time clothing items change and same applies to how people wear them but these tips are time less and will serve you for a very long time. Keep in mind that getting a proper fitting is synonymous to getting your apparels to look properly.

Sleeves & cuffs

Dress shirts have a tendency to shrink after a few washings, so before buying and getting a shirt tailored, make sure the sleeve is slightly longer in order to counteract any eventual shrinkage.

* What's the right length when it comes to shirt sleeves? Sleeves should cover your wrist and reach the beginning of your thumbs.

* Additionally, your cuffs should be tight enough to prevent them from slipping down your wrist.

* If you opt to leave your button-down shirt un-tucked, it should hang just above your pants zipper (at back pocket level).

* When wearing a jacket and extending your arms, the sleeves should land between a half-inch and one inch past the jacket. Anything longer is cause for tailoring or buying a smaller shirt.

Collars & shirts

When the seams of your shirt meet at the shoulder; then that's an indication that it fits quite well.

* Your forefinger should be able to fit in between your collar and your neck when the shirt is buttoned to the top.

* The collar's tips and outer edge should be covered by your blazer or suit jacket's lapels. To ensure that this happens, always fit your dress shirts and button-downs before fitting your jackets and blazers.

Blazers

The jacket or blazer sleeve should rest at your thumb knuckle when your arm is extended, and the blazer or jacket should cover your backside.

* The blazer/jacket's collar should leave about a half- inch of your dress shirt's collar visible.

* If you plan on wearing your sports jacket frequently over sweaters, bring a thin or regular knit sweater with you when trying on or tailoring the blazer or suit jacket.

Pants

To figure out whether you have the right fit when it comes to slacks is fairly simple. Try them on without shoes; they should just touch the floor. With shoes on, the back part of your pants should barely touch the ground (one rule of thumb is that pants should break at about 1/3 of the way down the shoe). And if you need one more sign that your slacks might not fit well, remember that your socks should not show when you walk.

* When belting slacks, don't pull too tight, or you risk bunching up the fabric around your midsection. This will make your gut appear larger than it is.

* If you're hemming your pants at the waist, place them below your belly button.

* And of course, remember that slacks -- like shirts -- usually shrink when you wash them. Buy (or have a tailor create) pants just a shade longer than what you actually need.

Several BA470 students are currently researching Under Armour and the sports apparel industry. This video highlights some key tools to use in their research.