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Adjusting the chest width of a shirt

How should a shirt fit at the chest area?

The chest width is the half-chest circumference measured on the shirt (not on the body). It sets the drape of the whole shirt. You should be able to pinch about 3 cm of fabric on each side for ease. The shirt should hug the torso without billowing while still allowing enough freedom of movement.

LE CHEMISEUR® tips

🕺 Keep freedom of movement

Do not over-tighten the chest; small folds behind the armhole are necessary so you can lift your arms comfortably.

🤏 Allow for shrinkage

Wash the shirt 2–3 times before deciding on alterations, or keep a bit of extra space. The fabric will soften and shrink by about 0.5–1 cm. Our AI already compensates for each fabric’s specific shrinkage.

🔀 Relationship with the armhole

Chest adjustments often go together with armhole-height adjustments. If you add + 2 cm to the chest you will probably need + 1 cm at the armhole.

How to measure the chest on a shirt

Button the shirt, lay it flat, and measure the distance from one edge to the other just below the sleeves. Measure the full width without stopping at the seam.

Tolerance : A gap of ± 1 cm between your measurement and your Fit Key is perfectly normal; it comes from small tolerances in cutting and sewing all the pattern pieces.

Updated on: 08/10/2025