Great content, Chris. Oh, the lessons I have learnt the hard way! I have taken and noted down the salient measurements of examples of my own garments - trousers, jackets and shirts - that I know fit me well. These measurements are my template for like-for-like comparison with those on each online sales listing. Any that the seller has missed out I request by messaging them. I never make a purchase unless I have all of the measurements I require and the garment is up to visual standard. Garments with damage tears or moth holes can be tricky and costly to mend, and are rarely `invisible' once done. Best avoided. Concerning shirts, don't ignore sleeve length. This is just as important as the other measurements. Most of the better makes, like TM Lewin, for example, actually put the sleeve length on the collar label. For example, on a standard 15 1/2 inch neck, the sleeve length is typically shown as 34 1/2 ins, but can be as short as 33 ins or as long as 36 ins for the same neck size. To further help me with shirt fittings, I have printed off and kept on file the shirt size charts of all of the most common quality makes. Additionally, having taken my chest and waist measurements, I have been able to identify (and marked with a highlighter pen) which size of `fitted' shirts of each brand will comfortably fit my frame instead of opting for the unflatteringly baggy `Regular Fit ' all the time. Sticking with my favoured brands, I can now target the shirts I want to buy with absolute confidence that they will fit me perfectly. Lastly, the least popular formal shirts for sale on eBay, Vinted, and Etsy are the double cuff variety. Many gents don't like them because of the complication of requiring cufflinks. For this reason, they are harder to sell and therefore usually cheaper to buy. I like them because they elevate the look of a suit or blazer and will take the humblest sports jacket to another level of smartness too. For very little cost, a simple pair of antique enamelled cufflinks can add further interest to a double cuff shirt. Happy buying!😊
Hi John, glad you enjoyed the content. Great advise about your preparation and planning for purchases garments online, following your learning through bitter experiences. I particularly like the fact you have taken the time to record all the different brands and their sizes that best suit you. Great observations about tears or moth holes being tricky, costly to mend, and are rarely `invisible' once done. Personally, I love wearing Double Cuff shirts for the very same reasons you mention. Thanks for your continued support and valuable comments.👍🙂
Thanks for raising the issue, so set measurement is important as well as the waist size and you might prefer double pleated trousers as well to give you more comfort👍🙂
One point on the cut of shirts. Often, even with "good" makers, the cut is achieved just by putting darts of varying amounts in the lower back to chest hight area. So, to turn a "slim" fit into a "classic" fit, remove the dart's stitching and iron.
Chris great advice. I just had to send a Charles Tyrwhitt shirt back on eBay. The discussion said 17.5 x 34 . When I got it and tried it on the sleeves were more like 28. Cheers Ron
Hi Ron, sorry to hear you had a bad experience, some shirt makers provide ready to wear shirts in 2 or 3 different sleeve lengths as well and you may have fallen fowl of that issue. Thanks for sharing this, though as it may prevent others making a similar mistake in the future. Thanks for your continued support and great comments 👍🙂
shirts can be shortened from the sleeve head, but how much depends on the cut of the sleeve. Take the shirt to a tailor, but I would suggest 2-3 inches can be taken off the overall sleeve length, it might be more but consult a tailor they would be able to give you much more professional opinion, and the cost needs to be considered👍hope that helps👍🙂
