When you are going to buy new clothes, you obviously need to pay close attention to the size and fit. This is especially true for formal men's clothing. A shirt or trousers that do not fit perfectly can quickly look unkempt. Moreover, in some cases, you can even commit a faux pas. So how do you make sure you add the right clothes to your online shopping cart? Measure your sizes! How should you measure your sizes? We at GENTS explain that in this blog.
Sizes and dimensions of clothing can vary greatly. For example, a manufacturer may use different measurements or a brand has its own size chart and fit. This certainly applies to shirts, blazers, and trousers. For shirts, for example, the collar size and chest circumference can vary significantly.
To give you a hand and ensure that you always succeed at GENTS, we have briefly gathered in this blog how you can easily measure your sizes and what different size charts entail. Armed with this information and a measuring tape, measuring your sizes is done in no time and you are guaranteed to buy clothes that will fit perfectly!
Measuring shirt size
If you already own a smart shirt, then you can always take a quick look at what size that garment has. Then you take those measurements for a new item. Unfortunately, some manufacturers and brands use their own fit and size chart. To be sure you make a good choice, you should measure the following dimensions of your sizes.
Measuring collar size
Start with the collar size. You measure the ideal collar size by measuring the circumference of the bottom of your neck. This is the place where the collar of your shirt will sit. When measuring this size, keep one finger between the tape and your neck. This gives you just a little extra room, providing more comfort when wearing the shirt.
Measuring chest circumference
The next step is to measure your chest circumference. For this, you need to measure the widest point of your chest. Place the measuring tape 1 centimeter below your armpit and then pull the tape around your chest. Measure the chest circumference during a chest inhalation (where the chest expands slightly) to avoid ending up with a too tight slimfit shirt.
Measuring waist
Although you might not think of it immediately, the waist is also an important part of the fit of a shirt. Therefore, don’t forget to check the waist circumference of the new shirt you have your eye on. You measure the circumference of your waist at the height of your navel. For safety, you can also measure the size during a midriff inhalation (where the belly becomes slightly larger).
Measuring sleeve length
Finally, GENTS recommends you to take a moment to consider the sleeve length of your new shirt. Nowadays, there are shirts that have a slightly longer length. The ideal sleeve length is measured with your arm stretched out from the point where your arm and shoulder meet to your wrist.
Measuring blazer size
When you get a new blazer going to find out, then it is also useful to know your measurements well. A too large blazer quickly looks childish. Don’t know your blazer measurements? You can measure this the same way as for a shirt. The only thing to keep in mind is that you will wear other clothes underneath. A too tight blazer is therefore not practical.
Measuring trouser size
Do you only have jeans in your closet and need to appear at the office in trousers? Or have you joined a student association and have a smart suit needed? Then you need to know which size trousers you need. For a pair of trousers, you need two sizes: the waistband and the inseam length.
Measure waistband
This size is quite self-explanatory: it is the size you have used to choose all your trousers so far. To measure this size, you hold the measuring tape at the height where a belt normally sits. This is the ideal waistband size of your body for a pair of trousers.
Measure inseam length
For a neat pair of trousers, this size is especially important. The trousers should not be too long or too short. Of course, you can trousers have it taken in afterwards, but it is always useful to pay attention to it when buying new trousers. For the inseam length, you place the measuring tape as it were in your crotch. From that point, you go down until you are just above your ankle. That is the perfect length for a pair of trousers.
The different size charts
It may happen that you come across a list of different types of sizes when you buy formal men's clothing. Don't be alarmed: these sizes are only meant to help you make a choice more easily. The only catch is that you need to know where and for whom all those sizes are. Below we have briefly explained the various size charts you will encounter within our webshop.
Ready-to-wear sizes
These are the most common sizes and are therefore suitable for everyone, slim or broad. You recognize these sizes by the fact that they are always displayed in even numbers. The sizes increase by 2 per size. Think of 44, 46, 48, and so on up to as much as 62.
Length sizes
These are sizes specifically for the tall men among us. These sizes contain numbers that are much higher than ready-to-wear sizes or quarter sizes. Moreover, the size increases by 4 each time. Think of 90, 94, 98, 102 up to 118.
Quarter sizes
These are sizes specifically for men of smaller stature and a sturdy build. The quarter sizes are displayed in ascending numbers from 24 to 31. The size increases by only 1 number per size: 24, 25, 26 and so on.
Need help measuring your sizes?
If you can't figure out which size fits you well, you can always GENTS store walk in. Our friendly store staff is ready to provide you with style advice and tips. Then you can be sure that you will appear perfectly groomed at work or at the student association!
