Suit sleeve length rule - And where shirt/suit end

[rossyl]

Hi,

I've done many searches, and read many conflicting things - this is what I've found. Do correct if wrong.

Suit jack sleeve length - Rule
With your arms down at your sides and relaxed, there should be 0.5 inch of shirt cuff showing.

Question: Would this reveal too much cuff when arms are stretched/move?




The Wrist Bone for Guidance
The wrist bone can be used for guidance when judging sleeve length.


Does this picture show, roughly, where your shirt sleeve and suit jacket sleeve should terminate? Assume that arms are down at your sides, and are relaxed.

edit
Shirt Sleeve Length
As this wasn't clear before. The above relates to shirt sleeve buttoned. Unbottoned, with arms at side and relaxed, the bottom of the shirt sleeve should reach the "V" of your thumb and index finger.

Thanks
R

 

[Master-Classter]

I disagree with that one... My shirts are always about an inch or two longer then the point of my wrist (ie they just hit the V between my thumb and fingers when unbuttoned) which leaves me with a bit of room so when my arms outstretch the sleeve cuffs don't pull up much. In contrast my suit/SC sleeves when standing stationary hit almost the same end as my buttoned shirt cuffs, ie just below the wrist bone. So while standing, I show maybe 0.25 of cuff if anything because as soon as I move, reach, rest me arms on the table, etc, I'll end up showing 0.5-1 inch of cuff. If you're seeing 0.5 cuff while standing, IMO (and my PREFERENCE) is that you end up showing way too much shirt sleeve. So it may sound like treachery but I actually say show minimal cuff while standing still.

 

[Klobber]

Originally Posted by Master-Classter

I disagree with that one... My shirts are always about an inch or two longer then the point of my wrist (ie they just hit the V between my thumb and fingers when unbuttoned) which leaves me with a bit of room so when my arms outstretch the sleeve cuffs don't pull up much. In contrast my suit/SC sleeves when standing stationary hit almost the same end as my buttoned shirt cuffs, ie just below the wrist bone. So while standing, I show maybe 0.25 of cuff if anything because as soon as I move, reach, rest me arms on the table, etc, I'll end up showing 0.5-1 inch of cuff. If you're seeing 0.5 cuff while standing, IMO (and my PREFERENCE) is that you end up showing way too much shirt sleeve. So it may sound like treachery but I actually say show minimal cuff while standing still.

+ 1 got to agree with this.

Convention might dictate sleeve length to top of the palm, practicality dictates at least 1" past this point. I should be 35 sleeve length, but always go for 36/37 shirts so I have room to manouvre without having to adjust my jacket sleeves and shirt sleeves too much.

 

[Montauk]

In our zeal to distinguish ourselves from the frumpy masses, I think the tendency here is to cut jacket sleeves TOO short. In theory, yes--.5" is the ideal amount of shirt cuff to show. In practice, this is a frustratingly difficult area to get consistently right, as different shirts and jackets fit differently.

Bear in mind that your buttoned shirt cuff should actually rest a bit BELOW your wristbone (a properly trim cuff should actually be held up by the wider part of your hand), so don't cut your jacket sleeves too far above it (if at all) or you'll end up flashing too much linen--especially when your arms aren't resting at your side.

Better to have to shoot your shirt cuffs than tug at your jacket sleeves.

 

[gdl203]

Going for a longer shirt sleeve with slack to move and bend your arm without it riding up is a mistake IMO. The suit sleeve has no slack and will ride up. I much prefer having the two somewhat coordinated when moving than showing no cuff when standing, then 3 inches when bending my arm.

I'm a wrist bone rule guy

 

[phxlawstudent]

Originally Posted by Master-Classter

I disagree with that one... My shirts are always about an inch or two longer then the point of my wrist (ie they just hit the V between my thumb and fingers when unbuttoned) which leaves me with a bit of room so when my arms outstretch the sleeve cuffs don't pull up much. In contrast my suit/SC sleeves when standing stationary hit almost the same end as my buttoned shirt cuffs, ie just below the wrist bone. So while standing, I show maybe 0.25 of cuff if anything because as soon as I move, reach, rest me arms on the table, etc, I'll end up showing 0.5-1 inch of cuff. If you're seeing 0.5 cuff while standing, IMO (and my PREFERENCE) is that you end up showing way too much shirt sleeve. So it may sound like treachery but I actually say show minimal cuff while standing still.

I agree with this post too.

Shirt cuff should be stopped by the flare of your hand just below the wrist bone. (Hopefully that makes sense). I think a good starting point for the suit sleeve is the wrist bone area.

 

[rossyl]

Shirt sleever Length: My rule related to when buttoned. I of course agree, it has to be longer than that when unbuttoned. I shall amke this more clear in the original post.

Suit Sleeves:
SO the consensus if for 0.25 inches of cuff to show when arms are at your side relaxed?

 

[Nicola]

Originally Posted by rossyl

Suit Sleeves:
SO the consensus if for 0.25 inches of cuff to show when arms are at your side relaxed?

If you go this way you risk a combination of a screwed up shirt and suit sleeve that just happens to show a quarter inch.

Listen to what gdl203 said. The suit sleeve needs to that length. Then make sure your shirt is longer by the required amount.

 

[rossyl]

Originally Posted by Nicola

If you go this way you risk a combination of a screwed up shirt and suit sleeve that just happens to show a quarter inch.

Listen to what gdl203 said. The suit sleeve needs to that length. Then make sure your shirt is longer by the required amount.

Nicola, I would really appreciate if you explained that some more.

I understood, that to show 0.5 inch relaxed arms down, would result in too much showing on movement. I don't understand how showing less cuff (0.25 inch) would result in the shirt being screwed up.

Also, in relation to shirts, I've found that my unbuttoned cuff being measured to the V of thumb and index finger, results in only a little slack so the shirt sleeves do move around.

Would be grateful for more insight/opinion...as I'm getting suit sleeves altered tomorrow.

 

[Nicola]

Imagine wearing a short sleeved shirt. How short should your suit sleeve be?

 

[rossyl]

Originally Posted by Nicola

Imagine wearing a short sleeved shirt. How short should your suit sleeve be?

not sure how that helps to be honest

 

[bringusingoodale]

Half inch cuff rule suits me fine. I find that even when I get jackets tailored to show .5 cuff, once I am wearing the jacket in real life, my shirt bunches slightly due to movement and so i probably only show around a third of an inch, which is fine.

I notice that the shirt length is most important for determining a jacket sleeve length. I am now more picky about getting my shirt sleeve length spot on than my jacket sleeve length. In fact, I don't mind having my jackets varying slightly in sleeve length. My tweeds are slightly longer in the sleeves, navy jackets is where I choose to show most cuff.

 

[dbc]

I follow the wrist-bone rule. I like .5" of cuff showing and it's easy/convenient to follow.

 

[AlexE]

I have my shirt sleeves tailored such that they end at the base of the thumb and the jacket sleeve accordingly such that I show about 1.0 to 1.5cm cuff. I don't like he shirt to cover the palms of my hands - that always looks ill-fitting to me and also feels annoying.

 

[le.gentleman]

Historically, there have been many rules. I summed up all theories and options in a suit / jacket / shirt sleeve length guide, that may be helpful to you.