Sleeve length for shorter men: sleeve reach explained
Where a sleeve ends depends on sleeve reach, half the shoulder width plus the sleeve length, not the sleeve length alone. A long sleeve should end at the wrist; compare the reach of each size with your own.
Sleeve length versus sleeve reach
A size chart's sleeve measurement starts at the shoulder seam. Two shirts with the same sleeve length can end in different places if one has wider shoulders, because the seam sits further out on your arm.
Sleeve reach adds half the shoulder width to the sleeve, measuring from the centre back of the neck to the cuff. Measure your own from the back of your neck, over the shoulder, to the wrist bone with the arm relaxed.
Dropped shoulders
In relaxed and oversized cuts the shoulder seam drops down the arm, and makers often shorten the sleeve to match. Reach is then only an estimate, so check it against a dropped-shoulder piece you own.
Short sleeves
A short sleeve should end above the elbow. On shorter arms, an oversized tee's sleeve can reach the elbow and read as a half sleeve.
Questions
Where should a long sleeve end?
- At the wrist bone with your arm relaxed, so a little shirt cuff shows below a jacket sleeve.