Articles on: Adjusting your Shirt
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Adjusting the armhole of a shirt

What is the right armhole for a shirt?


The armhole is the opening that connects the sleeve to the body of the shirt. Its height plays an important role in the overall comfort and fit of the shirt. A well-designed armhole provides good freedom of movement while limiting excess fabric around the chest and underarm area. A larger armhole (more cm) generally offers a roomier feel but can create additional fabric and movement when raising your arms. A smaller armhole (fewer cm) follows the body more closely and often creates a cleaner silhouette while maintaining good mobility. Our AI calculates an armhole height adapted to your build and intended fit.


LE CHEMISEUR® tips


🕺🏻 Maintain freedom of movement

The small amount of excess fabric at the back of the armhole is essential for comfortable movement and allows you to raise your arms without pulling on the shirt.


🥵 You prioritize comfort and tend to get warm easily

Consider adding 1 cm to the armhole height.
A slightly larger and roomier armhole improves ventilation and reduces the tendency of the fabric to stick to the skin when you perspire.


😎 You prioritize style and prefer slim sleeves

You may reduce the armhole height by 1 cm for a cleaner, more fitted look.


🔃 You have high or sloping shoulders

You can often improve the fit by adjusting the armhole height:

  • High shoulders: reduce the armhole height by 1 cm
  • Sloping shoulders: increase the armhole height by 1 cm


💪 Relationship between armhole height and bicep width

Armhole height and bicep width work together.
A smaller armhole generally pairs better with a slimmer sleeve, while a larger armhole often feels more comfortable with a slightly wider bicep measurement.
For this reason, LE CHEMISEUR®'s AI calculates these measurements together to maintain the right balance between comfort, mobility and style.


Adjusting the armhole height will also affect the width of the upper sleeve in the bicep area.


How to measure the armhole of a shirt?


The armhole is difficult to measure precisely, but here is how to do it: gently pull the fabric to lay the shirt flat. Measure the entire length along the seam. Do not stop at the sleeve seam at the bottom: take the full width.

Updated on: 09/11/2026