Men's shirts and polo shirts: how to buy by collar size
Collar size is where to start
A classic shirt is sold by neck circumference: 39, 40, 41, 42 and so on, in centimetres. A letter size such as L or XL differs between makers, but a 42 collar is always 42. Polo shirts and knitted tees are more often sold in letter sizes.
Measure your neck with a soft tape where the collar sits, and add one to one and a half centimetres for ease. Sleeve length and cut matter too: slim fit sits close, regular gives room, and oversize is a matter of style.
What to put in your request
- style: classic shirt, polo, denim, flannel, linen, embroidered;
- size: collar in cm, or a letter size;
- cut: slim, regular or loose;
- sleeve: long or short;
- material: cotton, linen, denim, flannel; for embroidered shirts, the type of embroidery;
- colour and pattern: plain, striped, checked;
- brand, if you want a particular one;
- condition: new or second-hand;
- delivery city and budget, if you want to state it.
Example: “I'm looking for a new men's cotton shirt, white, collar 42, long sleeve, slim fit, no pocket. For the office. Delivery to Ahmedabad by courier, inspection before payment. Budget up to ₹2,000.”
How to search through BlaBlaPrice
You do not need to look for your size on dozens of pages. You create a request, and clothing sellers reply in the chat: whether that shirt is in stock, the fabric, price, photos and delivery. Sellers can see where their offer stands, so they compete with each other. Reviews of the seller are shown next to the offer, and your phone stays hidden until you choose a seller.
What to compare
- Fabric composition: pure cotton breathes but creases; with some synthetic it irons more easily but is less comfortable in the heat.
- Type of weave: poplin is light and smooth, oxford is denser, and twill has a diagonal weave.
- The collar: whether it has stiffeners in the corners, and whether it suits a tie or is meant to be worn open.
- For linen: whether it has been treated against heavy shrinkage.
- For second-hand: the state of the collar and cuffs, and yellowing under the arms.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is choosing a size by eye and not measuring the neck. Another is forgetting that a shirt may shrink after washing. It is also best not to compare prices without looking at fabric and weight, and not to take slim fit when your shoulders are broad: the shirt will pull.
A shirt goes with a blazer or suit, and on a cool day with a jumper on top. More about the service is on the “How it works” page.
