How should a shirt fit in the chest area?


The chest width corresponds to the half-chest circumference measured on the shirt (not on your body). It is one of the most important measurements because it determines the overall drape of the shirt. A well-fitting shirt should follow the shape of your torso without looking baggy, while still providing enough room for comfortable movement. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to pinch approximately 3 cm of fabric on each side of the chest. This provides the right balance between comfort and a clean, elegant silhouette.


LE CHEMISEUR® tips


🕺 Maintain sufficient freedom of movement

Avoid making the chest width too tight.
Small folds behind the armholes are normal and necessary. They allow you to raise your arms and move comfortably throughout the day.


🤏 Allow for shrinkage

We recommend washing your shirt two or three times before deciding whether any adjustments are needed.
The fabric will soften over time and may shrink by approximately 0.5 to 1 cm. Our AI already compensates for the specific shrinkage characteristics of each fabric.


🔀 Relationship with the armhole

The chest width and armhole height are closely related.
A tighter chest generally requires a slightly higher armhole, while a roomier chest often feels more comfortable with a slightly lower armhole. For this reason, our AI calculates these measurements together to maintain a balanced fit.

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.

Updated on: 10/06/2026