Tailor fit

Tailor fit is a term that describes a tailored, close-to-body fit – whether as marketing language for high-quality confection shirts or as a description for adjusted made-to-measure shirts. The fit follows body contours exactly and uses classic tailoring techniques such as back darts, fine collar construction and precise sleeves.

Structurally tailor fit is characterised by stitched seams, double workmanship, reinforced underarm gussets, mother-of-pearl buttons and fine materials. The back is shaped with one or two waist darts, or uses a tailored yoke that reproduces shoulder width precisely. Cuffs are precisely matched to wrist width.

Tailor fit suits wearers who value precise fit and high-quality workmanship. It is typical of premium shirts made in Germany, Italy and Britain. On genuine made-to-measure shirts tailor fit goes further: back and shoulder width, sleeve length, collar width and belly width are cut to the wearer individually.

Compared to modern or fitted cut, tailor fit is often similarly tapered but distinguished by finer workmanship and higher-quality materials. It stands for craftsmanship and individual fit rather than mass confection.