You’re about to invest in a quality suit but don’t know whether you’re looking for a tailored fit or a slim fit. Whilst it can be a trial and error process, there are few tips that might help you to narrow down which option is best for you.
We’ve picked out three key items that often confuse people with their fits: shirts, blazers and trousers. You might find that you prefer a slim fit in one item but need a tailored fit in another. It’s okay to mix and match as long as you feel confident and comfortable in your ensemble. Here’s our blog post on tailored fit vs slim fit: what’s the difference?
Tailored fit vs slim fit shirts
A slim fit shirt has been designed to be a much more fitted shirt than other styles. It will probably be a tighter fit across the chest and arms, giving for an overall streamlined shirt. Whilst it’s recommended that slim fit shirts are best for those with a leaner body, we recommend going by fit. Many people find that buying a size up still gives them a streamlined, fitted look without excess fabric. There’s nothing worse than picking a slim fit shirt in a too-small size and feeling uncomfortable like the buttons could pop open at any time. In fact, if the buttons don’t close properly and the front of the shirt is stretching open, maybe it’s not the right fit for you. However, a slimmer figure will always look best in a slim fit shirt as it will elongate and accentuate your slender frame.
A tailored fit shirt is still fitted in design but it’s not a slim fit. It’s considered a fitted shirt that’s not tight, making it ideal for those with a more athletic build. There is usually more room across the chest and shoulders as well as slightly wider arms. This means you should still be able to move freely but still feel like you’re wearing a shirt that still looks professional and sharp. Even if you don’t have an athletic figure, you might prefer the extra fabric of a more relaxed fit. Our selection of men’s and women’s shirts tend to be more of a tailored fit so they fit just about every body shape.
Tailored fit vs slim fit blazers
This is the key item to know the difference between a tailored fit and a slim fit jacket. On a slim fit blazer, again it will be tighter across the chest and shoulders and may even be shorter in the length of the arms. It can be long or short in the length but often the darts across the front are further in towards the buttons. You’ll probably notice that slim fit blazers often taper in from under the shoulders and down. That’s because they’ve been designed for a slimmer fit. Think of a rectangle shape: shoulders not being much wider than the waist and hips. That’s the ideal figure for a slim fit blazer. The wider your shoulders, the less likely you are to look good and more importantly, feel comfortable in a slimmer fit.
However, if you love the slim fit aesthetic but want something that is more likely to fit your figure, try a tailored fit jacket. Again, it’s still a fitted design but it’s been made to fit non-slender figures. There’s often a lot more room across the shoulders and chest so you don’t feel all hunched up underneath. The fit is often tapered in rather than slim fitted, making it much more wearable for any occasion. Our ladies’ Hannah blazer is the perfect blend of a tailored fit, with tapered sides and lightly padded shoulders to balance out your shoulders. For taller men and women, try a longer fit as your blazer should hit just at your waist or hips.
If you’re investing in a tailored fit blazer to wear for multiple occasions, especially in a formal or professional environment, it can be a good idea to get it tailored properly by an expert. They will be able to make sure it fits your measurements perfectly and leave you with a blazer that quite literally has been tailor-made for your body. It‘s also not as expensive as you might think. If you’re investing in high-quality, premium clothing, why not make sure that they fit you to a tee?
Tailored fit vs slim fit trousers
Trousers are often the most awkward item to get right, especially formalwear. There’s been a rise in slim fit trousers over recent years but many people don’t feel comfortable at all wearing trousers that are such a tight fit. Slim fit trousers especially accentuate everything from your bottom to your calves, making lots of people feel self-conscious. If you’re blessed with long, lean legs, slim fit is a great option for you. Many stores offer a range of leg lengths too as slim fit doesn’t just have to be with those who have legs up to their armpits! Lots of slender people find them too big around the waist so why not add a leather belt to your collection to complement your new trousers?
Tailored fit trousers can give the illusion of slim fit but they’re fitted to your body, rather than too snug to move in. There might be some elastane in the material too so you can sit and stand without fearing they will rip at the seams. Many tailored fit trousers have a straight leg cut so you get the look of slim fit but with some additional fabric. Again, seeing a tailor to get them the right waist size and leg length can be great, especially for a special occasion.
Which figures suit slim fit clothing the best?
A slender figure suits slim fit clothing best but we’re all about how your clothes feel and fit on you, rather than sticking to the rules. Of course, slim fit clothing has been designed for straight up and down, rectangle figures but maybe you have slimmer legs so the trousers work best on you. Perhaps you have a narrow upper half but wider thighs and calves? You could wear a slim-fitting blazer with tailored trousers. It’s all about looking at your proportions and seeing which items feel the best to you. It can be trial and error but a fitted shirt, blazer and trousers are key items, especially for professionals or special occasions. You’ll want to get them right as you often invest more money on these pieces. Get the right fit or try a tailor if you can.
Which items should you get tailored?
You can get most items tailored professionally but we recommend a blazer and trousers. The more expensive an item is, you should consider paying that little bit extra to make sure it fits you like a glove. It can be difficult to find a tailor nowadays but most major towns and cities have options. In fact, you might even know someone in your local village who tailors on a self-employed basis from their home. It’s worth finding someone you can trust as you’ll be sure to use them multiple times for tailoring various items over the years.
As you can see from our guide, we’re all about finding the pieces that fit your figure best but that you feel the most comfortable in. There’s nothing worse than wearing an outfit that you feel restricted in. Get those three key pieces right and the rest of your outfit will come together in quick fashion. Don’t forget that these are staples that you’ll return to time and time again so you want to get them right on the first try. Mix and match them to make even more outfits too to really get such great value for money for high-quality items.