The Correct Fit: Jackets & Tops

Clothing can be transformative, making you look like a million bucks, even if you only

spent $100 on your outfit. Likewise, the most expensive, ill-fitting suit looks frumpy and

disheveled. Mastering the correct fit is not a difficult task, if you know what to look for

when buying.

In a blazer, the shoulders should have some room, the back vent should lay flat, and the

front shouldn’t crease when buttoned. At the shoulder, a blazer shouldn’t have excess

material and should sit flat from the shoulder to the chest; so too for the side of the

sleeve. A good tailor can remove excess fabric in both areas. If you have sloping

shoulders, this will likely be a common issue for you. Finally, the jacket’s sleeve should

hit the base of your palm.

If you try on a knit sweater jacket, are there areas where the knit is stretched out more

than others? If there are wide gaps between the knit rows, go up a size.

For shirts, the sleeve should end right at your wrist. If they’re French cuffs that you

wear without a jacket, the fabric should also end at the wrist. If it’s lightweight and

flouncy, shorten the sleeve and reattach the cuff so that the ends at the palm. Sleeves

that are too long look like you’ve raided your parent’s closet.

Suffice it to say, with inconsistent sizing between brands, garments rarely fit right off the

rack. However, knowing what to look for can minimize the cost of alterations while

subtly elevating your look.

Tammy’s Truism: Well-fitting tops should not gape, and all seams should lay flat.

Next week, The Correct Fit: Bottoms