Finding well-fitting dress shirts can be a challenge for men with athletic or muscular builds. The right slim fit dress shirt should skim the body without pulling at the buttons or looking too tight. With some strategic shopping, an athletic physique can be nicely complemented by a tailored dress shirt. This article will explore top slim fit dress shirt brands and styles to consider for athletic body types.
The best slim fit dress shirts for athletic body types fit close to the body without constricting movement or appearance. Brands like Untuckit, Brooks Brothers, and Charles Tyrwhitt offer great slim fit options for muscular builds.
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Factors to Consider When Shopping for Slim Fit Dress Shirts
When searching for slim fit dress shirts that accommodate an athletic frame, there are a few important factors to keep in mind:
Shoulder Size
The shoulders are often the widest part of an athletic build. Finding a shirt that fits properly in the shoulders is crucial, as too-narrow shoulders will restrict range of motion. Brands that offer multiple shoulder width options are ideal.
Arm Length
Well-developed arms need a slim sleeve with extra length. Choose a dress shirt with sleeve lengths up to 37 inches for the best fit through the biceps.
Chest Size
An athletic chest requires extra room through the pecs without looking boxy. Opt for slim fit dress shirts with some stretch or brands that provide chest sizing options.
Torso Length
Men with athletic physiques often have a shorter distance from shoulder to waist. Seek out slim fit brands that offer dress shirts in multiple torso lengths.
Fabric
Stretch fabric blends with spandex move with the body. These slim fit dress shirts offer exceptional comfort for muscular builds.
Top Brands for Slim Fit Dress Shirts for Athletic Figures
Certain brands stand out for their range of slim fit dress shirts suited to athletic bodies. Here are some top picks:
Untuckit
Untuckit slim fit dress shirts are specially designed to look great worn untucked. With multiple fit types including athletic and muscle fit, this brand caters well to muscular builds.
Brooks Brothers
The Brooks Brothers slim fit non-iron dress shirt collection offers dressier shirts in athletic and tailored slim fits. These shirts contain spandex for stretch.
Charles Tyrwhitt
Charles Tyrwhitt’s range of slim fit dress shirts are available in Standard, Slim, and Extra Slim fits. They also offer several sleeve length and neck size options.
Hugo Boss
Known for well-tailored slim fit dress shirts, Hugo Boss offers a selection of the highest quality. The fit is precisely dialed in through the chest and arms.
Todd Snyder
Todd Snyder combines Savile Row tailoring with a modern slim fit. The athletic cut dress shirts accommodate broad shoulders and muscular arms.
Bonobos
Bonobos dress shirts come in standard, tailored, and athletic slim fit options. The athletic cut has extra room in the chest and arms.
Mizzen+Main
Mizzen+Main incorporates performance fabrics in their dress shirts for stretch and moisture-wicking. The athletic cut is perfect for muscular physiques.
Tommy John
Tommy John’s Cool Cotton and Second Skin dress shirts provide a body hugging fit. These shirts contain spandex for optimal stretch and movement.
Choosing the Best Colors and Fabric
In addition to fit, the color and fabric of a dress shirt impact its suitability for athletic bodies. Here are some guidelines:
Light Colors
Light solid colors like white, light blue, and pale pink provide a clean, polished look that pairs well with muscular builds. Avoid heavily patterned shirts.
Cotton Blends
Look for at least 2-3% spandex blended into 100% cotton fabrics. This provides stretch without sacrificing breathability.
Coolmax and Aerivex Fabrics
For moisture wicking performance, athletic cut dress shirts made from Coolmax or Aerivex are great choices for active men.
Perfecting the Fit of Your Slim Fit Dress Shirts
Finding an off-the-rack dress shirt that fits perfectly is rare. With some simple tailoring techniques, you can achieve an ideal slim fit:
Size Down
When in doubt, opt for the smaller size that fits well through the shoulders and arms. The rest can be adjusted more easily than excess fabric.
Dart the Upper Back
Loose fabric can gather on muscular upper backs. Have a tailor add darts to give this area a contoured fit.
Taper the Torso
For a well-defined fit, the shirt’s sides can be taken in gradually from under the arms down to the waist.
Shorten Arm Lengths
Bulging shirt cuffs are unflattering. Measure your ideal sleeve length and have cuffs tailored to finish higher on the wrist.
Shorten Shirt Length
An untucked shirt should fall just below the waistband. For a clean finish, have excess shirt length shortened.
Finding the Right Slim Fit Dress Shirt Neck and Sleeve Sizes
Proper neck and sleeve sizing helps athletic men find better fitting dress shirts off the rack. Use these tips to determine your sizes:
Neck Size
Measure around your neck where a shirt collar sits. Round up to the nearest half inch for dress shirts. Allow room to fit two fingers inside.
Sleeve Length
With arms relaxed at your sides, measure from the center back neck bone to wrist bone. Add .5 to 1.5 inches for optimal arm movement.
Chest Size
Measure around the fullest part of your chest. Compare to dress shirt chest sizing charts, and size up if between sizes.
Torso Length
Measure from the bone at the base of your neck to your natural waistline. Choose regular or long torso lengths accordingly.
Factors That Make Finding Well-Fitting Shirts Difficult for Athletic Body Types
Men with athletic physiques face some unique challenges when shopping for properly fitted dress shirts off the rack. Several factors related to muscular builds can make finding that ideal slim cut shirt tricky:
Shoulder Width
Well-developed shoulders are often the widest point of an athletic frame. Broad shoulders paired with a narrow waist makes finding great shirt fits difficult. If the shoulders are too narrow, mobility suffers. Excess fabric around the midsection results from sizing up for shoulder width. Specialized athletic fit shirt patterns help accommodate these V-shaped bodies.
Arm Muscle
Large biceps and triceps gained from weightlifting require ample room through the sleeves. But sleeves that fit well around substantial arms tend to be oversized and billowy down the length of the arm. Go for athletic cut shirts with tapered sleeves to avoid this problem. Brands that offer multiple sleeve length options are also ideal for long, muscular arms.
Chest Size
A broad, muscular chest necessitates additional room through the front of the shirt. But extra fabric here can appear loose and untucked. Athletic cut shirts are designed to contour to a well-developed chest without pulling at the buttons. Quality brands also provide chest sizing options for a dialed-in fit.
Torso Length
Men with especially well-built upper bodies will likely have a shorter distance from shoulder to waist. Typical shirt lengths result in excessive material being tucked in or hanging out. Seeking out athletic cut dress shirts with torso length options helps resolve this issue. Taking up the shirt hem is also an easy fix.
Range of Motion
Athletic pursuits like weightlifting, boxing, and CrossFit require unrestricted mobility. Excess material and tight fits hamper movement. Slim cut shirts with performance stretch fabrics allow muscular men to move freely without looking disheveled. The right athletic shirts fit like a second skin.
How to Measure Your Body for Slim Fit Dress Shirts
Determining your precise body measurements is key to finding well-fitted slim dress shirts for an athletic build. Keeping a record of your exact sizes makes shopping for shirts far more effective. Follow these steps:
Shoulders – With your arms relaxed at your sides, measure across the back from the end of one shoulder to the other. Round up to the nearest half inch.
Chest – Wrap a tape measure around the fullest part of your chest. Make sure it’s parallel to the floor. Round up to the nearest whole inch.
Waist – Measure around your natural waistline, about an inch above your belly button. Round down to the nearest whole inch.
Arm Length – Bend your elbow at a 90 degree angle. Measure from the center back of your neck to where you want shirt sleeves to end.
Wrist – Wrap the measuring tape around one wrist where a shirt cuff would sit. Round up to the nearest half inch.
Neck – Use a soft measuring tape to determine your neck size where a shirt collar rests. Allow room for two fingers to fit inside.
Torso – From the bone at the base of your neck, measure down to the top of your pants waistband. Round to the nearest half inch.
Body Type – Objectively assess your overall shape – triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle, etc. This affects optimal shirt fits.
Recording these key measurements makes comparison shopping for slim fitting dress shirts much simpler. Share the data with your tailor as well for customizing any shirt’s fit.
Tips for Maximizing Comfort in Slim Fit Dress Shirts
Achieving an ideal slim fit often requires some sacrifice in comfort. Athletic body types tend to accentuate this trade-off. However, several strategies can help maximize comfort while maintaining a tailored dress shirt silhouette:
Buy for Mobility
Seek out dress shirts made from at least 3% spandex or other stretchy synthetics blended with natural fibers. This extra give allows for dynamic motion.
Size Up Strategically
Size up only where needed to avoid an overly snug fit. Stay true to size through the shoulders and chest.
Pre-Wash Shirts
Wash shirts once before first wear. Heat from the dryer helps fabrics conform and stretch to your shape.
Stretch Fabrics Before Wearing
Gently pull shirts in multiple directions before putting them on. This helps fabrics expand to accommodate your frame.
Break it in
Wear a new slim fitting shirt around the house to further shape and stretch it to your body. Doing light exercise speeds up this process.
Go for Soft Fabrics
Smooth, lightweight fabrics like poplin and pinpoint are more comfortable when tightly fitted. Rougher fabrics irritate skin.
Try Compression Base Layers
Wearing a tight compression shirt underneath helps restrict unwanted friction and pulling from trim dress shirts.
A strategic, patient approach allows athletic men to enjoy slim dress shirts without sacrificing comfort or mobility. Investing in quality materials and slowly easing shirts to fit your exact shape are smart tactics.
Strategies for Maintaining a Professional Look with Slim Fit Shirts
Ultra slim dress shirts straddling the line of inappropriate tightness are a common mistake among athletic builds. But with care, it’s possible to pull off a refined, confident look:
Choose Darker Colors
Solid blacks, navys, and grays downplay definition for a more understated, professional aesthetic.
Wear an Undershirt
A v-neck tee underneath provides a smooth surface preventing the outline of muscles showing through.
Pick Dressier Fabrics
Finer cottons like broadcloth and dense patterns help achieve a polished look compared to casual flannel.
Limit Chest Definition
Avoid extra slim fits through the chest. Leave the top button or two undone for a looser appearance.
Skip Short Sleeves
Long sleeves diminish muscular arms. Fold them up for a more casual short sleeve look when desired.
Get the Right Sleeve Length
Sleeves too short accentuate large biceps. Aim for sleeves ending around the thumb knuckle.
Choose a Spread Collar
Spread collars draw eyes outward versus down the shirt front, creating a more balanced look.
Add Layers Like Blazers
Pairing slim shirts with fitted suit jackets or blazers offsets the tightness.
A refined style suits powerful athletic builds. Thoughtful slim shirt choices paired with smart coordination achieve a commanding yet professional look.
Other Fashion Tips for Athletic Body Types
Beyond selecting properly fitted dress shirts, athletic men can apply other style strategies to flatter their strong physiques:
Chunky Sweaters & Cardigans
Bulkier knit layers balance broad shoulders. Shawl collars narrow the upper body.
Patterned Sport Coats & Suiting
Interesting but not overly bold patterns disguise wide frames. Plaids and houndstooth work well.
Dark Rinse & Black Denim
The slimming effect of dark washes keeps muscular legs in proportion. Avoid excess fading and distressing.
Flat Front Pants & Shorts
Flat fronts are more flattering than pleats for muscular thighs. Maintain a trim, but not skin-tight fit.
Minimal Accessories
Limit bold jewelry, scarves and other statement accessories that attract eyes to your physique.
Structured Leather Jackets
Fitted leather and moto jackets complement V-shaped frames. Steer clear of bulky styles.
Loafers & Sleek Boots
Low profile shoes elongate athletic legs. Avoid chunky soles. Chelsea boots work well.
V-Neck & Henley Tees
V-necks visually break up broad chests. Henleys draw attention upwards.
The right combinations create balance and allow athletic men to look stylishly composed, not bulky.
Conclusion
Finding well-fitting dress shirts with an athletic build requires strategic shopping. Prioritize brands offering slim fits designed for muscular bodies. Seek out stretch fabrics with athletic cut patterns. Proper measurement and simple tailoring adjustments can also perfect the fit of any dress shirt. With some trial and error, muscular men can develop a dress shirt wardrobe that flatters their strong physiques.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between slim fit and athletic fit dress shirts?
Slim fit dress shirts are trim through the body but not specially designed for muscle. Athletic fits have more room through the chest and arms to accommodate muscular builds.
What fabric is best for slim fit dress shirts?
Cotton with at least 2% spandex is ideal, providing comfortable stretch. Coolmax and Aerivex performance fabrics also work well.
Should I size up or down for a slimmer fit dress shirt?
It’s better to size down if the shoulders and arms fit well. Extra fabric is easier to tailor than a shirt that is too small overall.
How much do tailoring alterations typically cost?
Simple alterations like hemming sleeves, taking in sides, and shortening shirt length usually cost $10-15 per adjustment from a local tailor.
What are some style tips for wearing slim fit dress shirts?
Combine with fitted blazers, dark washed or colored jeans, and minimal accessories. Roll sleeves neatly to show off arm definition. Wear the top few buttons undone for a relaxed look.