A shirt that's the wrong size is the fastest way to make even good fabric look cheap. Here's how to get the fit right on a regular-fit black shirt.
What "regular fit" actually means here
Not slim, not oversized. It sits close to the body through the chest and shoulders without pulling across the buttons, and it's cut with enough room to layer a t-shirt underneath in cooler weather.
The shoulder seam is the tell
Check where the seam at the top of the sleeve sits. It should land right at the edge of your shoulder, not partway down your arm. That single detail matters more than chest measurement for whether a shirt looks tailored or borrowed.
Sizing between S and 2XL
- True to size across the range — order your normal shirt size first.
- Broader through the chest or want a looser drape: size up once.
- Planning to layer under a jacket regularly: also worth sizing up for room to move.
The cuff check
A well-fitted cuff sits at the wrist bone, loose enough to fit a finger underneath but not so loose it slides down over the hand. Too tight there is one of the most common and most fixable sizing mistakes.

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