Finding dress shirts that actually fit is a challenge for many men. You could buy a custom shirt that's made for your body, but unless you have a deal for a custom suit, that can get pricey. So you turn to ready-to-wear men's dress shirts and try to puzzle out which one is best for you.

To help make that process easier, we created a fit guide for the four most common fits for men's dress shirts: classic, slim, extra-slim, and athletic. Here's what you need to know the next time you shop for shirts for work, special occasions, and nights on the town.

The Classic Fit

Aka regular fit, traditional fit, straight fit, natural fit

Characteristics:

• Side seams are straight or slightly taper toward the waist
• Room throughout the chest and torso
• Wide cut across the shoulders
• Standard armholes
• Full sleeves

Good for: Guys of all size, those who prioritize comfort in dress clothes, and men with a little more weight or muscle in the waist, chest, and arms. It may look a little billowy around the waistline without a military-style tuck.

The Slim Fit

Aka modern fit, trim fit, tailored fit, the most common fit found on our site

Characteristics:

• Gives you a slimmer, more tailored look
• Side seams taper toward the waist
• Cut close through the waist and chest, but still has room for movement
• Slightly higher armholes than the classic fit
• Narrow sleeves

Good for: Guys who want a more modern, tailored look; just about anyone can pull off men's slim-fit dress shirts—they don't have to be slim

The Extra Slim Fit

Aka extra trim fit

Characteristics:

• Most tailored of all the dress shirts
• Cut closest to the body
• Slightly higher armholes than the classic fit
• Narrow sleeves

Good for: Guys who want a very streamlined, modern look, especially slim guys who look a little out of place in looser classic fits

The Athletic Fit

Characteristics:

• Wider at the top, then tapers at the waist
• Wide cut across the shoulders, chest, and arms
• Less common

Good for: Guys with athletic bodies—broad shoulders and chest, slim waist, larger arm muscles—who want a more tailored look, but need extra room for their muscular frames

Need a suit to go with that dress shirt? Check out what you need to know when buying a suit.

How to Measure Sleeve Length and Neck Size

Once you've figured out the fit you need, you should take your measurements to see what size you are. Here's how:

Sleeve Length

With your arm at your side, measure from the shoulder seam to your desired length—generally at the base of the thumb.

Neck

Measure around your lower neck, where your collar would sit. 

Pro Tip: After taking your measurements, use our universal men's dress shirt size chart to determine which shirt size you need. If the shirt still doesn't fit quite right, ask a tailor to nip and tuck it.