Flattering Shirts That Fit: A Data-Driven Guide for Every Body Type

Finding a shirt that truly fits can feel like chasing a moving target. From gaping buttons and rigid collars to sleeves that drown your frame, even classic shirts can be a minefield of fit issues—especially when different brands use wildly inconsistent sizing. Rather than settling for “close enough,” this guide uses a technical, data-backed approach to help you choose shirt styles that flatter your unique shape. With the help of Tellar.co.uk, you can now match your exact measurements to over 1,500 fashion brands in real time—eliminating trial and error for good.

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📏 Key Measurements for Shirt Fitting

Before buying any shirt, you should know your:

• Bust circumference (taken around the fullest part)

• Waist circumference

• Shoulder width (from end to end across the back)

• Upper arm circumference

• Torso length (to assess tuck-in potential)

• Sleeve length

💡 Use our printable measuring tape to ensure your measurements are accurate to the centimetre.

When you enter these into your free Tellar profile, our system instantly compares your data to the graded sizing standards of major brands, identifying which size is best for your body—across COS, Zara, Mango, Reiss, Sézane, Arket, & Other Stories and many more.

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🧬 Why Shirt Fit Is So Difficult

Shirts often follow men’s fit models even in women’s sizing, particularly for button-ups. This leads to:

• Excess shoulder width

• Gape across the bust due to limited darting

• Overlong sleeves for shorter frames

• Excess torso fabric in rectangular or hourglass figures

Retailers rarely state whether a shirt is slim fit, box fit, boyfriend cut, or curved seam. Tellar solves this by identifying shirt fits that align with your personal proportions—bypassing confusing product descriptions.

📌 Read more: How to Read a Size Chart Properly

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👚 Best Shirt Styles for Each Body Shape

1. Hourglass (Balanced bust and hips, defined waist)

Wear:

• Shirts with darts or princess seams – support bust and follow curves

• Wrap or belted styles – accentuate waist without bulk

• Soft stretch poplin or cotton/modal blends

Avoid:

• Oversized boxy styles with no waist shaping

• High collars or bib fronts that compress the bust

Best brands:

• Reiss – Darted shirts with stretch for bust and waist

• Massimo Dutti – Elegant tailoring with subtle curve-accentuation

• Sézane – Parisian-style blouses with feminine shaping

• Boden – Waist-defined shirts in structured cotton

• LK Bennett – Luxury workwear cuts tailored to female proportions

🎯 Compare your size in Reiss vs Sézane here

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2. Pear (Wider hips, narrower shoulders)

Wear:

• Cropped or box-fit shirts to balance lower body

• Shoulder accents, collars or puff sleeves

• Lightweight fabrics with drape

Avoid:

• Slim-fit shirts that cling to the hips

• Longline shirts that hit the widest point of the body

Best brands:

• & Other Stories – Cropped silhouettes, shoulder detailing

• COS – Architectural shapes that flatter top-heavy looks

• Zara – On-trend shirts with volume up top

• Kitri – Fashion-forward and cut with curve-aware designs

📎 Also explore: What Brands to Buy for Pear Shapes

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3. Apple (Fuller bust/midsection, slim legs/hips)

Wear:

• Relaxed-fit or A-line shirts

• V-neck plackets or open necklines

• Soft tailoring in Tencel, silk or viscose

Avoid:

• High collars or tight button-ups

• Slim fits that pinch at the waist

Best brands:

• Me+Em – Draped high-end shirting with elongation in mind

• Baukjen – Ethical brands that flatter midsections

• Hobbs – Soft tailoring with generous bust allowances

• Aligne – Relaxed fit shirts that taper gently

🔍 See how these brands differ using Tellar’s brand comparison tool

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4. Rectangle (Straight up and down proportions)

Wear:

• Belted or wrap-front shirts to add curves

• Statement sleeves or collars for volume

• Peplum or fluted hems

Avoid:

• Extremely straight cuts that hide your waist

• Oversized box shapes with no definition

Best brands:

• Whistles – Chic tailoring with added shape

• Albaray – Flattering, curved cuts for rectangles

• Mango – Trend-driven waist-accented styles

• Reformation – Fitted bodices and blouses

📌 Related: How to Dress on Trend for Your Shape

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5. Inverted Triangle (Broad shoulders, narrow hips)

Wear:

• Shirts with dropped shoulders or no collars

• Rounded hems to add visual volume at the hip

• Relaxed-fit blouses with minimal top-half detailing

Avoid:

• Puff sleeves or epaulettes

• Boxy short cuts that exaggerate shoulders

Best brands:

• Arket – Soft shapes and drop-shoulder cuts

• French Connection – Balanced silhouette tailoring

• River Island – Affordable, trend-led hip-accented shirts

• Jigsaw – Draped styles with quiet shoulder structure

📎 Explore: Best Brands for Balanced Silhouettes

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🔬 Shirt Construction: What to Assess

🧠 Tip: Avoid 100% polyester for workwear. It lacks breathability and often clings. Look for organic cotton, Tencel, bamboo viscose or modal blends for comfort and movement.

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🧭 Using Tellar.co.uk to Buy the Right Shirt the First Time

Tellar.co.uk gives you:

✅ Real-time size recommendations based on your actual measurements
✅ Brand-specific size behaviour (e.g. “Reiss runs small in bust”)
✅ Filters by unit (CM or Inches)
✅ Automatic adjustments for bust/waist ratio and shoulder width

📌 How to Create a Profile That Powers Smart Sizing
📌 How Tellar’s Sizing Algorithm Works

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📣 Follow Tellar.co.uk for Ongoing Shirt Sizing Help

We regularly post brand comparisons, sizing alerts, shirt styling tips and more:

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

• Pinterest: TellarUK

• Facebook: TellarSizing

• Twitter (X): @Tellar100

📌 Don’t miss:

• Does Zara Run Small?

• What Size Am I in Mango vs H&M?

• How to Get the Right Fit Without a Measuring Tape

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✅ Final Word: Smart Shirt Buying Starts with Smart Sizing

Whether you’re shopping for a classic button-down or a fashion-forward blouse, the difference between okay and perfect comes down to fit. And fit isn’t about the size on the label—it’s about how a shirt works with your shoulders, bust, waist, and arms in harmony.

📌 Stop guessing, and start shopping smarter.

🟩 Find your shirt size in 1,500+ brands. It’s free & easy
🟨 “Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy”

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