Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

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

By | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Here's why.

5 Clothing Fit Tricks by Dappered.com

Comments

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

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

  7. 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. 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. 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.

  11. “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. 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. 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.

  15. 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”.

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

  23. 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. 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.

  27. 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.

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