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Adjusting the shoulder width of a shirt

The ideal shoulder width of a shirt

The top of the sleeve should meet the tip of the shoulder bone. A correct shoulder placement reduces folds around the armhole while preserving freedom of movement.

LE CHEMISEUR® tips

✨ Achieving a clean drape

Shoulder width matters a lot for a smooth armhole. To reduce folds, try – 1 cm on the shoulder (1 cm is usually enough).

⚖ High or sloping shoulders

High, horizontal shoulders: subtract – 1 cm.
Sloping shoulders: add + 1 cm to the shoulder width (and add the same + 1 cm to the armhole height).

↕ Link to the sleeve length

Changing the shoulder width automatically changes the sleeve length. For instance, moving the shoulder seam up by 1 cm shortens the sleeves by 1 cm. Remember to add that centimetre back to the sleeve length.

How to measure the shoulder width on a shirt

Measure along the seam that joins the top of the sleeve to the collar base.

Updated on: 12/12/2025