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What are Fitted Dress Shirts?

Janis Adams
Janis Adams

Designed specifically for both men and women, fitted dress shirts are those shirts that are intended to be slim fitting regardless of the physique of the person wearing them. Fitted dress shirts are made from a variety of different clothes, though most popular are those materials that stay pressed well and so add to the neat appearance desired when choosing this type of shirt. Fitted shirts tend to show off the figure or the build of the person wearing them, as they are made to be form-fitting garments.

Men's fitted dress shirts are commonly worn under suits. This type of shirt reduces the bulk that a looser fitting shirt will create. A suit jacket will fit more comfortably when a fitted shirt is worn along with it. Men's fitted shirts flatter the torso of the person wearing them, making it appear even trimmer than it naturally is. Most often this type of men's shirt will feature a point collar.

Some fitted shirts are of a machine-washable variety, and others require that they be dry cleaned after each wearing to maintain their proper shape and pristine appearance.
Some fitted shirts are of a machine-washable variety, and others require that they be dry cleaned after each wearing to maintain their proper shape and pristine appearance.

Fitted dress shirts designed for women allow a woman's shape to be accentuated, creating the appearance of a small waistline. This type of women's shirt will come with any length of sleeve, including even those that are sleeveless. Most often, the shirts that feature a full-length sleeve will have a single or double button at the cuff, creating a neat and tailored look. If there is a pleat detailing at the back of the shirt, it will be quite slight, as anything larger will defeat the purpose of the fitted appearance.

Fitted dress shirts for women can create the appearance of a small waistline.
Fitted dress shirts for women can create the appearance of a small waistline.

Most department stores will carry fitted dress shirts in the same section where traditional dress shirts can be found. Many designers of both men's and women's dress shirts will also feature a line of fitted dress shirts. These shirts come with and without a front pocket. Some are of a machine-washable variety, and others require that they be dry cleaned after each wearing to maintain their proper shape and pristine appearance.

Fitted dress shirts are not necessarily custom-made, and can be found at most department stores in a range of sizes.
Fitted dress shirts are not necessarily custom-made, and can be found at most department stores in a range of sizes.

Fitted shirts do not need to be custom made. The key to finding the right shirt is knowing the proper size. If the proper size of a person desiring a fitted dress shirt is not known, it is best to go to a department store and ask a fitter for help. After body measurements are taken, it is a quite simple process to determine what size would be best.

Discussion Comments

Feryll

My girlfriend bought me my first fitted dress shirt. I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't know the difference between the fitted shirts and the ones I wear. I wear what my father always wore when I was growing up. I copied him, and didn't give it a second thought.

Given the option, I would have all of my dress clothes tailored, but I can't afford this. The cost of tailoring clothing can add up rather quickly. Thanks to my girlfriend, I have discovered that fitted dress shirts are an adequate alternative to having my shirts tailored, and by buying the fitted ones I don't have to spend the extra money on alterations.

Sporkasia

@mobilian33 - Contrary to what many people seem to think, really big and loose clothing doesn't usually flatter bigger people. If you are overweight and you wear over-sized baggy clothing then this draws more attention to your weight. The important thing to remember about fitted clothing is that fitted doesn't mean tight clothing.

A fitted dress shirt makes any man look more appealing than does a shirt that is loose fitting around the middle and puffing out. The puffiness makes it appear that the man has extra layers around his sides and stomach.

mobilian33

If you have a little more around the waist and midsection than you care to show then won't a fitted dress shirt draw attention to this area and the excess weight there? I think a loser fitting shirt or blouse would do a better job of hiding the fact that you have extra weight around your middle.

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    • Some fitted shirts are of a machine-washable variety, and others require that they be dry cleaned after each wearing to maintain their proper shape and pristine appearance.
      By: itestro
      Some fitted shirts are of a machine-washable variety, and others require that they be dry cleaned after each wearing to maintain their proper shape and pristine appearance.
    • Fitted dress shirts for women can create the appearance of a small waistline.
      By: MilsiArt
      Fitted dress shirts for women can create the appearance of a small waistline.
    • Fitted dress shirts are not necessarily custom-made, and can be found at most department stores in a range of sizes.
      By: Tombaky
      Fitted dress shirts are not necessarily custom-made, and can be found at most department stores in a range of sizes.