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5 Clothing “Fit Tricks” Every Guy Should Know – Illustrated

January 14, 2014 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

5 Clothing Fit Tricks by Dappered.com

Filed Under: Clothing, Dappered Classics Tagged With: fit tricks, how to, illustrated, info graphic

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Comments

  1. Loscv29 says

    January 14, 2014 at 9:29 AM

    “Prevents Strangulation”

    Awesome.

  2. diversification says

    January 14, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    Step ‘before-1’) BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. Even if the jacket that doesn’t fit perfectly is cheaper than that ‘cheap date’ girl that everyone calls as a last resort, you’re probably going to regret buying it, just like you regretted ‘buying’ her. Seriously, don’t trick yourself into buying dust collectors. I have like 4 in my closet; and they all collect dust because they look like crap on me. They all were under $100, but for the collective price of them, I could have probably had a killer jacket that fits perfectly and I wear all the time.

  3. SD says

    January 14, 2014 at 10:20 AM

    #3 is not very accurate IMO if someone has short or long arms with regards to his body. The jacket should split the body in an equal top and bottom halves

  4. Adam says

    January 14, 2014 at 10:55 AM

    And it also has to deal with personal choice and the fashion climate. I prefer a slightly shorter jacket right now.

  5. Domino says

    January 14, 2014 at 10:58 AM

    #Whatever it is now
    The pockets on a jacket should be at the waist when you’re wearing it, not above or below.

  6. RJC says

    January 14, 2014 at 11:00 AM

    Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable.

  7. Patrick Patro Lind Lino says

    January 14, 2014 at 11:10 AM

    Agreed. I have a small(er) waist but I have rather long arms. If I were buying a jacket based on the “Cuff” test, the back of the jacket would go a few inches below my rear. Not to mention longer jackets do not accentuate the legs very well and make you appear shorter rather than taller.

  8. Sigtweed & Corduroy says

    January 14, 2014 at 11:13 AM

    Definitely agree that some of this is very good but some of it is highly subjective based on body type and personal taste.

    -Short, stocky guy with a 20 inch neck

  9. Patrick Snyder says

    January 14, 2014 at 11:16 AM

    Pants waist or narrowest point of torso? Top of the pockets, middle of the pockets, or bottom? There’s about 18 inches of variability in your rule.

  10. Surgere says

    January 14, 2014 at 11:19 AM

    “Slightly shorter” does not equal “waist-length-woman-jacket”. Easy on the pedantry.

  11. Joe says

    January 14, 2014 at 11:26 AM

    “some of it is highly subjective based on body type and personal taste.”

    Well, yeah. They’re tricks. Not a be-all-end-all panacea for wonky fit. Trust your judgement.

  12. fattsmann says

    January 14, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    Let’s start a new #3: When you look from either profile view or backside, your jacket should cover your butt. How much butt to cover depends on how trendy you want to be. 😛

  13. rohmen says

    January 14, 2014 at 12:01 PM

    Good rules of thumb. Knowing the shoulder-into-wall trick much earlier in my dress attire-purchasing phase would have saved me from what seemed like some great suits at a great price at the time–an the subsequent costs I incurred once I realized I hated the fit and would need to replace them much sooner than I had intended.

  14. Domino says

    January 14, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    Pants waist, top of pockets.

  15. Joe says

    January 14, 2014 at 12:08 PM

    But if you have a longer torso (like I do) a jacket that covers all of your butt will leave you looking like you’re 65% upper, with no legs. I once had a crummy tux place try and put me in a long-sized jacket because of this rule. Nope. Never again.

    Bottom line is: just try and look proportional. We can shoot holes in every “rule”.

  16. RJC says

    January 14, 2014 at 12:26 PM

    Whoa guy! It’s a direct quote from the top of the page. Easy on the being offended!

  17. Surgere says

    January 14, 2014 at 12:28 PM

    I wasn’t offended; tone is difficult to convey on this here internet thing. =/

  18. DanPatrickFlores says

    January 14, 2014 at 1:25 PM

    I just love the visual for #2. It’s like, “C’mon, you know you want to!”

  19. LW says

    January 14, 2014 at 1:44 PM

    I prefer the older Dappered info-graphics that look like they were drawn by a four year old with MS Paint. Just sayin.

  20. Joe says

    January 14, 2014 at 1:53 PM

    https://dappered.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/graphic-preference.jpg

  21. red devil says

    January 14, 2014 at 2:34 PM

    Used #1 and #3 the last time I bought a suit a few months back. Very useful.

  22. LW says

    January 14, 2014 at 2:37 PM

    Ha! See? Sublime.

  23. Quancho says

    January 14, 2014 at 2:48 PM

    Allow me to add, “The Custom Measuring Trick.” If you get measured for a custom jacket or shirt (even if you don’t order one, ahem, right then), you will be able to learn exactly how long your arms are. #Protip: They’re not always the same length! My left arm is half an inch longer than my right, and knowing that has saved lots of confusion over the years when having things tailored. If you’re ever wondering why your sleeves never seem to come out the “same length,” with more linen showing on one than the other, that might be the reason.

  24. tml says

    January 14, 2014 at 3:45 PM

    I also have trouble with applying this rule. I’m not muscular, but my biceps are such that they protrude out from my shoulder bones. So when I lean against the wall, I have to deliberately angle my shoulder to even get it to touch the wall. I use this rule as only general guidance, because it also depends on the type of jacket shoulder. For a jacket that has a more natural shoulder with minimal padding, it doesn’t matter as much where the padding meets the wall, just so long as the jacket’s shoulder has a smooth transition from shoulder to top of arm. On the other hand, the wall trick would be more applicable to a traditional padded shoulder.

  25. SD says

    January 14, 2014 at 4:46 PM

    I think enough so that your elbow or tricep doesn’t have a chance to hit the wall first.

  26. fattsmann says

    January 14, 2014 at 6:22 PM

    i can agree with that.

  27. Richard says

    January 14, 2014 at 6:50 PM

    I think the confusion about 1 or 2 fingers in the collar comes from the ambiguity in the idea of fitting 2 finger in your collar.

    If the two fingers are side-by-side and both touching the neck, then it probably fits fine. But if you can fit two fingers “on top of” each other (one touching your neck and one touching the collar) then it’s too big.

  28. diversification says

    January 15, 2014 at 2:09 PM

    Pin above right-side-advertisements, please and thank you.

  29. RealStreets says

    January 21, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    As for number 4. If it chokes me when I flex my shoulders/neck forward, it’s too small. If a tied tie scrunches up the collar it’s too big.

  30. Rainier Jonn says

    October 27, 2014 at 12:39 PM

    Numbers 1 and 5 are why I don’t like H&M suit jackets. They make me look like a linebacker with wings.

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