Buying a shirt online is easy until it arrives and the shoulders sit halfway down your arms. With thrift there is an extra twist: every shirt is a single piece, so you can’t simply swap it for the next size up. The good news is that you only need a measuring tape and a shirt you already like to get it right. This guide shows you how to measure a shirt, how to compare it with a listing, and how the different Polo Ralph Lauren fits work.
Why the size on the label isn’t enough
A “Medium” from one brand can be closer to a “Large” from another. Older shirts may have shrunk a little in the wash, and American, European and Asian brands all size differently (our clothing size conversion guide explains how). Measurements in inches don’t change from brand to brand, which is why every shirt on Lundapur is listed with them.
Step 1: pick a shirt that already fits you well
Choose a shirt you like the fit of: not too tight across the chest, sleeves ending at your wrist, shoulders sitting on your shoulders. Lay it flat on a bed or table, button it up, and smooth out the creases.
Step 2: measure four things
- Chest (armpit to armpit). Measure straight across the front, just below the sleeves, from one side seam to the other. This is the most important number. Double it if you want the full chest size.
- Length. From the highest point of the shoulder, next to the collar, straight down to the bottom hem.
- Shoulder. Across the top of the back, from one shoulder seam to the other.
- Sleeve. From the shoulder seam down to the end of the cuff.
Write the four numbers down in inches. Now you have your own size chart.
Step 3: compare with the listing
As a simple rule, if a shirt’s chest and shoulder measurements are within about one inch of your favourite shirt, it should fit you in a similar way. A slightly longer length is fine if you tuck your shirts in; if you wear them untucked, keep the length close to your own shirt.
Dress shirt sizes: 15½ 32/33
Formal shirts are often sized by collar and sleeve instead of S, M and L. A label reading 15½ 32/33 means a 15½-inch collar (neck) and a sleeve of 32 to 33 inches, measured from the centre of the back of the neck to the cuff. European shirts give the collar in centimetres: 39 is roughly 15½ inches and 41 is roughly 16 inches.
Polo Ralph Lauren fits explained
Polo Ralph Lauren shirts come in different cuts, and the fit is usually printed on the label inside the collar. The same letter size can feel quite different depending on the fit:
- Classic Fit: the roomiest cut, fuller through the chest and waist.
- Custom Fit: trimmer through the chest and waist than Classic Fit.
- Slim Fit: the closest fit to the body.
If you normally wear a Medium in Classic Fit, a Medium Slim Fit will feel noticeably tighter. Compare the chest measurement rather than the letter. Browse preloved Polo Ralph Lauren, and if you’re new to the brand, read our guide to spotting authentic Polo Ralph Lauren.
Buttons on the left? It’s a women’s shirt
Men’s shirts traditionally have the buttons on the right side as you wear them, and women’s shirts on the left. Thrift stock arrives mixed, and some women’s shirts look almost unisex, so it’s worth checking. At Lundapur we describe each shirt as men’s or women’s in the listing.
Quick checklist before you order
- Chest within about 1 inch of a shirt you like.
- Shoulder seam measurement close to yours.
- Sleeve long enough to reach your wrist.
- Check the fit name on Polo Ralph Lauren shirts.
- Check the condition notes and photos for any marks.
Still unsure? Send us your measurements on WhatsApp or Instagram and we’ll compare them with the shirt for you. You can find all our shirts, from Polo Ralph Lauren to Levi’s and Wrangler, at Lundapur, an online thrift store in Pakistan delivering nationwide.