Regular, Slim & Ultra Slim Fit. How do I choose?
Men really have not much choices even when it comes to buying clothes. Worse still, the knowledge and recommendation for clothes are so limited.
Have you ever experienced when you inquired about the difference between regular, slim & ultra slim fit formal shirts, the shop outlet staff just replies straight in the face that the cutting is different?
What does it mean to the customer like ourselves? It is so hard to find a nice shirt that looks prim and proper yet not being too tight.
The fit of your office shirt matters because it is usually worn tucked in. The size of your body determines the fit that flatters most, not what most people are wearing these days. Purchasing a fitting shirt doesn’t mean you opt for a slim-fit to “fit your body better”.
Slim fit
If the shape of your body belongs to categories such as “skinny”, “slender”, “lean” or “slim”, then you most probably need a slim fit. People of these categories have a tendency to find tucked in shirts spilling out, giving a muffin-like appearance. The sides of slim fit shirts are tapered (crescent-like curves instead of straight down the sides) as a solution. To compensate for the thinner midsection, the sleeves are now tighter as well.
Slim fit clothing are cut closer to the body and fitted more to the client’s silhouette. While not restrictive, slim fit is more narrow and has a tighter fit in the arms, waist, and chest area in the jacket and in the thigh and waist area in the pants.
Tends to look great on those with smaller waist lines or leaner body types.
Slim fit shirts typically have “darts” in the back, which are two crescent-shaped lines on either side, which allow the shirt to taper and hang closer to the body. The back panel of these shirts is also cut on a slight curve, bringing it in slightly at the shoulders and the back allowing the shirt to adhere closer to the body’s figure.
Typically slim fit pants will always have a flat-front design, are snug through the legs and taper slightly towards the bottom, ending in a small leg opening. The pants should be snug, about ½ inch of fabric when pinched between your fingers, but you should be able to move and sit with ease. They should sit comfortably at your waist and you should be able to fasten them without holding your breath or sucking in.
Regular fit
If you belong to the beefier category, muscle or not, you should be considering a regular fit. The common misconception is to confuse regular fit with the classic or relaxed fit. While the regular fit will be a good match for the average body size, the classic fit adds more material for an airy feel and utility. The regular fit can still be tapered to your body while leaving the right amount of room to breathe in.
Regular fit fits looser around the body — both at the jacket and pants. The chest, arms, waist are all relaxed and looser.
Never boxy, the regular fit is still impeccably tailored to flatter your individual body shape and size.
Ultra Slim Fit (Skinny Fit)
Next comes to the Ultra Slim Fit that is even finer cutting that showcase the manliness of the wearer. The shirt fits much more tightly so the muscles could be more prominently seen. There is almost little to no excess fabric. Lapels and pocket tabs tend to be narrower and the trousers are tapered into a ultra slim fit.
This style is perfect for the more daring man wanting to make a contemporary, bold and fashionable statement when dressing smart.
How do you choose then?
Choosing slim or regular fit is not only about size but also personal taste and style.
Well firstly, you’ll have your size. Your neck and sleeve width might be the most important measurement. You might not want it to be too tight especially when fitting on a tie.
Then once you determine your, well fitting, size, you can choose fit. Slim Fit will fit closer to your body, and regular, not so. For example, fitting a shirt really just depends on your chest and waist, and how wide you are from hip to hip and shoulder to shoulder. Fit will help if you have a belly, or not, or somewhere in between. Maybe you like a tighter more secure fit, maybe you like some more room. It’ll depend. The best way to know what you like is to go to a store and try on both shirt fits — not all are equal. The brand can also make a difference to the cutting. This means you feel different under different brands even if they are all Slim Fit
Conclusion
Bear in mind that the recommendations mentioned are just general guidelines to follow when buying your shirts. Ideally, you want a shirt that:
1) Does not spill out when tucked in
2) Is not skin-tight that you can hardly move in it.
It is recommended to try each fit before deciding which flatters you most, without excess bulge or looking oversized. For custom menswear, your tailor should know what style and fit brings out the best in you. Otherwise, the rest can make the best out of what’s on the selves by being more informed with your decisions.
