Shirt sizes

[almarz]

I'm seeing three numbers for the size on a dress shirt I like.. they are 14 1/2, 32, 33...The first one has to be the neck measure.. what are the other two numbers ?

 

[trogdor]

The second one is usually the sleeve length (measured from the centrepoint between the shoulders to the outer edge of the cuff). It has become increasingly popular to add multiple sleeve lengths (like 32/33 or 34/35) to enable a shirt to be sold to a wider range of people, so I suspect that's what's going on in this case.

 

[Jolly Green]

I'm pretty sure it's sleve length

Cheers,
D

 

[Jolly Green]

Beat me to it.

Cheers,
D

 

[bookish]

Been meaning to ask about that. If a sleeve says 32/33, how long is it? 32 inches? 33 inches? 32.5 inches? A random length between the two?

I'd measure, but I'm not very good at taking sleeve lengths from the collar (vs shoulder seam), much less exact ones.

 

[CoryB]

I'm not certain, but I believe all shirts of this type have two button holes to vary the tightness of the cuff. When the cuff is tighten it should come up to the smaller number (because it encounters your wrist) and when in the looser position it is the larger number.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by CoryB

I'm not certain, but I believe all shirts of this type have two button holes to vary the tightness of the cuff. When the cuff is tighten it should come up to the smaller number (because it encounters your wrist) and when in the looser position it is the larger number.

I think the two buttons and the multiple lengths are unconnected, although related in the sense that both are intended to make the shirt (at least apparently) more flexible in terms of fit.

I've never bothered to measure the length of a 32-33 or 34-35 shirt, so I don't know the answer, but I suspect that the shirt is in fact the longer length or close to it. Think about which is more discomfitting--having an extra inch of sleeve, or being short an inch? I'd take a shirt an inch long over one an inch short any day.

 

[demeis]

Its usually the longer of the two. At least is the case at BB. The 32 would be the length if the second button is used...that is to say its supposed to keep your cuff tighter and thus keep it further up your arm and making it a "shorter" sleeve length.