Many guys don’t know how to measure sleeve length. It’s not as obvious as you think, so read on to make sure you do know!
Here’s a challenge. Right now, with absolutely no research, go ahead and get your sleeve measurement. It seems instinctual, right? Well then, do it the way you think is best.
Did you grab a ruler? If so, think again. Did you start from your shoulder seam? That might be right. However, it depends on what you’re measuring your sleeve length for. Did you stop right at your wrist where your wrist bone is?
You might need a refresher, and that’s totally okay.
Measuring your sleeve length can actually be pretty confusing!
Remember, whether you’re looking at a t-shirt or a button-up, fit is everything. Before color, before style of clothes, before anything. The biggest hack when it comes to looking good is ensuring your clothes fit you properly.
Particularly for those of us of modest height, there are few things as unflattering as ill-fitting sleeves. So, here’s what you need to know regarding measuring your sleeve length.
How To Measure Men’s Sleeve Length Properly
So, first and foremost, you’ll need a tape measure. Don’t get the stiff kind you use for measurements around the house. You want a proper, flexible measuring tape made for tailoring. This will make the process much easier.
Second, you might want help from a friend. Unless you’re especially dexterous, someone at a third-party vantage point can give you the most accurate measurement.
Alright, let’s get to it!
How To Measure Sleeve Length for Dress Shirts
First, you’ll want to stand with your arms by your side. Make sure you’re relaxed. Don’t stand at attention, and don’t ensure that all of your limbs are stiff and straight. Since you’re measuring for a shirt, keep in mind that you’re almost never standing with that much rigidity.
This is a mistake people often make when measuring their sleeve length.
Stand with your arms hanging, perfectly relaxed at your sides. Look straight ahead and keep your body at rest.
Now, put the end of the measuring tape on the nape of your neck where your backbone is. When you wear a t-shirt, it’s where the back middle of the collar usually lands. You can also see if you can feel the bump of the vertebrae.
Hold the end of the tape measure right there.
Then, run the measure across the top of the shoulder. Imagine where a top shoulder seam might track and follow that.
Hold the tape where your arm connects to the rest of your body, otherwise known as your deltoid. It’s the ball and socket joint area above your bicep. Press your fingers on the tape so it stays there as the anchor for the next step. Make sure it can’t move.
From here, you’ll bring the measuring tape down the side of your arm.
Stop again at your elbow, hold the tape there, then take it down past your wrist bone. You’ll want to stop around the thickest part of the side of your hand well prior to the small ball by your pinkie.
Then, measure the other arm exactly the same way.
It’s very likely that one arm is slightly longer than the other. That’s okay! You’ll simply take the average length of the two. You’ve now measured your shirt sleeve length!
How To Measure for Shirt Sleeve Length: Without a Friend
I’m not saying you can’t measure your own sleeve length on your own person. You’ll probably just have to be creative with mirrors to do it.
Another way to do it is to use one of your already well-fitting shirts as your point of measurement. If you’ve had a shirt professionally fitted before, use that. You can also just use one of your favorite shirts that land in all the right places.
Again, this is how a button-up shirt should fit.
Lay the shirt flat on a smooth, clean, and even surface. Lay it on the front so that the back is facing you.
Your first point of measurement will be at the yoke. This is the top part of the back of the shirt that sits on the shoulder area.
Place the end of the tape measure on the middle part of the yoke. This is easier to find if it’s split, of course. Otherwise, just measure it out to find the middle.
Then, just like you’ll do on an actual person, you’ll take the tape to the shoulder seam. Anchor it there, then move it down the shirt sleeve.
Anchor it again where your elbow hits. Then, take it down to the end of the shirt cuff.
How To Measure Sleeve Length for Jacket
To measure your sleeve length for a jacket, you’ll start similarly as you did when you measured for a shirt.
Stand up straight, look forward, and just relax your arms. Since you’ll be wearing your jacket over a shirt, it’s best to take this measurement with a well-fitted shirt on. If you have a jacket that fits you well, feel free to measure that from the shoulder seam down to the end of the sleeve to get a measurement.
Place the end of your measuring tape at the shoulder seam. That’s right. You’ll be starting at the shoulder seam this time, not where the yoke of a shirt would drape.
Take the tape measure down to the outside of your arm. Take it all the way down to the top of the hand (if you aren’t measuring on a jacket itself). You want the jacket sleeve higher than the shirt cuff, meaning it should be longer than your shirt sleeve.
Traditionally, you’ll want a good quarter to half an inch of your shirt cuff exposed when wearing a suit jacket. You can also go for as much as three-quarters of an inch these days, but not more than that.
Like this.
Not like this.
You don’t want your shirt to completely cover your dress watch, even when you’re bending your arm.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions on the topic and adjacent to how to measure shirt sleeve lengths.
What Is the Average Sleeve Length for a Men’s Dress Shirt?
For men’s dress shirts, most men’s sleeve lengths will fall somewhere between 32 inches and 36 inches. Different parts of the world vary, with windows going as low as 31 inches and as high as 39 inches.
What Are the Different Sleeve Lengths?
There are short sleeves, which fall between the shoulder and elbow, mid-length which is around the elbow area, and long sleeves. Again, men’s long-sleeved dress shirts are usually 32 to 36 inches.
Conclusion: Fit Is Everything
Now you know how to measure shirt sleeve lengths. When you’re taking your measurements to professional clothiers, don’t make it too complicated for yourself by trying to take shrinkage into account. Quality clothiers will take care of that.
Moreover, if you’re buying a cheap shirt off the rack and don’t plan on getting it tailored, just go for the one that matches your measurements the closest.
Still, keep in mind that everything looks better tailored!
Do you know your sleeve measurements? When was the last time you had a shirt professionally tailored? Share your stories with us. We love hearing from you!
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