Tall? These Are the Only Shirts That Actually Fit (Backed by Data)
Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar
Date: 2025
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Stop Settling for Shirts That Don’t Fit Just Because You’re Tall
You shouldn’t have to size up, shop in the men’s section, or compromise on style just to find a shirt that covers your wrists. If you’re tall—5’9”+ for women or 6’1”+ for men—you already know most shirts are built for someone else’s frame. Sleeves fall short. Tails untuck. Shoulders pull. And the "perfect fit" never seems to exist—until now.
At Tellar.co.uk, we’ve analysed thousands of garments to understand exactly why tall shoppers struggle—and which shirts actually fit. This is your go-to guide for shirt styles that suit longer limbs and torsos, complete with real measurement ranges, technical tips, and brand recommendations split by designer and high street.
📌 Want more tall-specific insights? Start here:
Why Standard Shirts Don’t Fit Tall Frames
Most ready-to-wear shirts are graded from a base size (typically UK Medium), with only minor tweaks to sleeve or torso length as sizes go up. That’s a problem if you're tall.
Shirt Component |
Average Fit |
Ideal for Tall Frames |
---|---|---|
Sleeve Length |
63–65cm |
67–71cm |
Shirt Back Length |
72–76cm |
78–84cm |
Shoulder Width |
42–45cm |
46–51cm |
Armhole Depth |
20–22cm |
23–25cm |
Dart Placement |
Mid-torso |
Lowered for proportion |
Tall people often end up buying a larger size for sleeve length—only to get overwhelmed with excess volume elsewhere. This misalignment leads to discomfort, bunching, and poor posture.
The Best Shirt Styles for Tall Frames
You don’t need to change your body—you just need shirts designed to fit it. Here are the best-performing shirt types for tall individuals, based on structure, fabric weight, and pattern grading.
1. Longline Oxford Shirts
Perfect for casual or smart-casual wear, the Oxford is a wardrobe staple—if it's long enough.
Look for:
-
Box pleats or back darts for movement
-
Split yoke for shoulder flexibility
-
Sturdy Oxford cloth (180–200gsm)
Ideal fit:
Back length 78cm+, sleeve length 67cm+, shoulder width 46cm+
2. Poplin and Broadcloth Dress Shirts
For work or formalwear, poplin shirts provide a crisp, clean look. But most high street versions don’t account for longer limbs.
What to prioritise:
-
Taller collar bands (3.8–4.2cm)
-
Two-button cuffs for custom wrist fit
-
Long tails to prevent untucking
Ideal fit:
Back length 80cm+, sleeve length 69cm+, collar height 4cm
3. Overshirts & Shackets
Overshirts give you room to move—and are easier to get right for tall frames when cut with a straight hem and extended shoulder.
Fit tip: Choose unlined versions in heavy twill or brushed cotton for warmth without bulk.
Ideal fit:
Shoulder width 47–50cm, shirt length 78–82cm, sleeve length 68cm+
4. Camp Collar & Cuban Shirts
Ideal for warm-weather dressing, but only when done with proper body length and drop-shoulder design.
Look for:
-
Ventilated hems
-
Longer chest-to-hem ratios (minimum 2:3)
-
Pocket placement >18cm below collar
✳️ Designer Shirt Brands for Tall Frames
These premium brands offer superior pattern engineering and material quality—many with natural tall-friendly cuts or made-to-measure options.
Brand |
Category |
Strength |
---|---|---|
Eton Shirts |
Formalwear |
Long back lengths, premium poplin |
Suitsupply |
Office/Formal |
Made-to-measure with sleeve options |
Asket |
Minimalist Basics |
Measured down to the cm |
Spoke London |
Custom Fit |
Torso and sleeve can be adjusted separately |
ISTO (Portugal) |
Everyday Shirts |
Long torso cuts with sustainable fabrics |
Sandro Paris |
Luxury-Casual |
Great sleeve length and soft collars |
Drake’s |
British Heritage |
Generous fits in long proportions |
Theory (US) |
Workwear |
High-end cotton, great shoulder grading |
🔗 Want to compare sizing before buying? Use Tellar Store Lookup
🛍️ High Street Shirt Brands That Suit Tall Bodies
Affordable, stylish, and increasingly tall-friendly, these high street brands consistently deliver longline or extended-size shirts with good structure.
Brand |
Category |
What Works Well |
---|---|---|
Charles Tyrwhitt |
Formal |
Extra-long sleeves + back length |
Banana Republic Tall |
Smart & casual |
Available for men & women |
J.Crew Tall |
Workwear & weekend |
Excellent sleeve-to-torso ratio |
Mango Tall |
Women’s fashion |
Sleeves & torso extended by 4–6cm |
M&S Autograph Long Fit |
Classic |
Reliable formal shirt options |
Uniqlo U |
Everyday |
Slightly longer cuts, great sleeve finish |
Wax London |
Shackets & casual |
Longer silhouettes across collection |
Percival London |
Trendy & smart |
Relaxed tailoring with longer hems |
Carhartt WIP |
Utility casual |
Naturally oversized fits for layering |
COS |
Minimalist |
Slightly oversized patterns work for tall bodies |
📌 Need layering advice? Check out The Best Jackets for Tall Body Shapes
What Tall Shoppers Should Avoid
Feature |
Why to Avoid |
---|---|
Cropped lengths (<75cm) |
Shirt will untuck or look boxy |
Narrow shoulder seams |
Causes pulling and drag lines |
Standard armholes |
Restrict movement on longer arms |
High-placed darts |
Unnatural waist shaping |
Short sleeve shirts with low hems |
Looks disproportionate and rides up |
🧵 Tip: Look for pattern specs online before buying—or just use Tellar’s free profile matcher to do it for you.
Key Measurements You Should Know
Metric |
Ideal Range (Tall Fit) |
Purpose |
---|---|---|
Shoulder Width |
46–51cm |
Seam alignment and posture |
Sleeve Length |
67–71cm |
Proper cuff positioning |
Back Length |
78–84cm |
Tuck-in security |
Chest Width (flat) |
54–60cm |
Allows natural movement |
Armhole Depth |
23–25cm |
Better mobility for longer arms |
📎 Don’t have a tape measure? Download our Printable Measuring Guide
Why Tellar.co.uk Is Your Shirt-Fit Solution
Shirt sizing shouldn’t be a guessing game. Tellar.co.uk removes the uncertainty by mapping your real measurements against over 1,500 brands. With accurate predictions for sleeve length, body length, and shoulder width, you’ll only see shirts that actually fit you.
With Tellar, you can:
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Check real sleeve, shoulder, and back measurements
-
Match your size across both high street and designer brands
-
Avoid returns and guesswork
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Convert between UK, EU, and US sizes
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Save your profile for future purchases
🎯 Create your free profile here:
👉 https://www.tellar.co.uk/create-profile/
Follow Tellar.co.uk for More Tall-Fit Expertise
Join thousands of tall shoppers getting smarter about fit:
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Tellar Blog – Expert guides and brand breakdowns
-
Instagram – @Tellarsizing
-
Pinterest – TellarUK
-
Twitter (X) – @Tellar100
-
Facebook – TellarSizing
Final Word: Start Demanding Fit That Works for You
If you're tall, you’ve been underserved by traditional sizing for too long. But with better data, smarter styling, and the right tools—like Tellar.co.uk—you can take control of how shirts fit, feel, and function.
🟢 Find your size in 1,500+ brands. Real-time. It’s Free & Easy.