I have a few RL Polo button-down classic-fit shirts, and some are in 15.5 and some in 16. To me, there is a pretty noticeable difference in fit through the body.
I have a few RL Polo button-down classic-fit shirts, and some are in 15.5 and some in 16. To me, there is a pretty noticeable difference in fit through the body.
Nowadays, with most mass-produced brands like Polo RL, size 15 and 15.5 necks will essentially be a "medium" in the body, while 16 and 16.5 will be "large", etc. So yes, there should be a rather noticeable difference when jumping up from a half size to a whole size. The nicer dress shirt brands usually have a more graduated scale, so that each half inch change in neck size equates to a proportionate change in overall body size.
Each 1/2 inch in neck size means a 2 inch difference in chest/waist, which can be huge if you're looking for something slim fitting. I noticed this in particular b/c I was previously buying 15.5 ESF BB shirts which fit me like a tent. I sized down to 15 and had to still dart them. I recently bought 14.5 inch and they fit well through the body. In other words, each 1/2 inch in neck made a huge difference in body fit --- from very loose and needing sides taken in (15.5) to only needing darts (15) to perfect fit (14.5) through the body. Of course, the limit is the neck size and for me I simply can't work with the 14.5 despite the nice fit.
It does make a big difference, which surprised me when I finally stopped and looked at size charts. For example, look at the sizing for BB: http://www.brooksbrothers.com/content/Fullpages/sizechart.tem?popup=1
Each 1/2 inch in neck size means a 2 inch difference in chest/waist, which can be huge if you're looking for something slim fitting. I noticed this in particular b/c I was previously buying 15.5 ESF BB shirts which fit me like a tent. I sized down to 15 and had to still dart them. I recently bought 14.5 inch and they fit well through the body. In other words, each 1/2 inch in neck made a huge difference in body fit --- from very loose and needing sides taken in (15.5) to only needing darts (15) to perfect fit (14.5) through the body. Of course, the limit is the neck size and for me I simply can't work with the 14.5 despite the nice fit.
Great info.
I've actually got two versions of a shirt I love - one in a 15 neck I wear without a tie both with and without a jacket, and on in a 16 I wear with a tie, under a jacket. Should get the latter tailored by I'm too cheap.
It does make a big difference, which surprised me when I finally stopped and looked at size charts. For example, look at the sizing for BB: http://www.brooksbrothers.com/content/Fullpages/sizechart.tem?popup=1
Each 1/2 inch in neck size means a 2 inch difference in chest/waist, which can be huge if you're looking for something slim fitting. I noticed this in particular b/c I was previously buying 15.5 ESF BB shirts which fit me like a tent. I sized down to 15 and had to still dart them. I recently bought 14.5 inch and they fit well through the body. In other words, each 1/2 inch in neck made a huge difference in body fit --- from very loose and needing sides taken in (15.5) to only needing darts (15) to perfect fit (14.5) through the body. Of course, the limit is the neck size and for me I simply can't work with the 14.5 despite the nice fit.
The same is true for some of the other large shirt makers. For example, TM Lewin Slim Fit shirts go up 2 inches for every 0.5 inch neck size, as does the Charles Tyrwhitt Classic Fit.
