I have a small waist size (5'7" or 5'8" with 29 waist) and I have a really hard time finding shirts that fit me well. With most shirts the small fits around my waist but the mediums are the right length and fit my shoulders a little better. Even when shirts claim they're "slim fit" it usually just seems to mean they run small (as in they're tighter, but they also aren't as tall). I need some suggestions for where to find blank t-shirts, polo shirts, or logo shirts that are made slimmer and longer for my body type (online and offline stores both welcome).

Also note that I can't really afford tailoring at this stage in my life.

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I never fail. I succeed at finding what doesn't work.

Sounds like I'm about the same size as you. 5' 8" and wear 30" waist pants. One of my biggest peeves is a shirt that is too big around the waist.

One thing I did about a year ago, was tailor a bunch of t-shirts on my own. I borrowed a nice sewing machine and practiced on some scrap fabric and then on t-shirts I didn't care too much about. I just made a new seam on each side. The machine makes the fancy pattern that you see on store bought clothing seams, so if you can keep it feeding in a straight line, you can make it look like you bought it that way. By the end, I had a whole pile of t-shirts that actually fit me well for casual day wear.

I've always had good luck with Express and J. Crew for graphic t-shirts and button downs. I bought a bunch of blank tees from Old Navy because they're cheap and come in a lot of colors. The fit is hit or miss because they're cheaply made, but I only wear them under something or for work. I don't wear too many polos because I rarely find ones that look like they fit right. Try on anything that catches your eye! You'll find stuff that fits the way you like it.

I've thought about doing that before, but I've always been afraid that I'll screw up since I've never used a sewing machine before..

So you just flip them inside out, make a straight seam from each pit down and trim off the excess fabric? I'm thinking if I draw a guideline using a straight edge and a shirt that already fits well to get the width right I could probably pull it off. Is it hard to get the hang of it?

Edit: Also, will it come apart if I trim off the excess fabric?

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I never fail. I succeed at finding what doesn't work.

Sounds like you have the idea. I measured the waistline of a shirt that fit me the way I wanted them to fit. I ironed each shirt perfectly flat and marked a line from the armpit to the waist using fabric chalk. I lined the new seam with pins so the two layers of fabric wouldn't move and made the seam. I cut the excess fabric away and I haven't had a shirt come apart with normal wear and washing.

It took me a few runs to find the seam pattern that worked best and determine the best speed to work at, so practice first on scraps.

Awesome, thanks for the tip! I'll probably be trying this out once I'm on spring break in a couple weeks.

Still looking for more store suggestions too if anybody has anymore...

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I never fail. I succeed at finding what doesn't work.

Try Solis company and Karmaloop (two very different sites but thay both have a wide collection of 'slim fitting' t-shirts). Also, when buying shirts, make sure that it's around 60% polyester, as it tends to have more of a stretch fit.

Have you tired Gap? I know you are shorter than I, but when I order a "tall" shirt from them to see if it would fit (Gap seems to think 6'3" is tall), the shirt was pretty slim fitting. For me it was on the to tight side for my liking. I would guess their normal size shirts will be the same, but look for any sales they have online as their clothes can get pretty cheap.

I am about the same size.
Hugo boss shirts fit very well, American eagle, hollister and Ralph Lauren

In the UK at least, most stores (next, burton etc) now offer a 'slim' version of most of their products.

I tend to rep the 60's mod look, where slim fit reigns supreme. Here's some great websites that I use:

warriorclothing
atomretro
ekmpowershop6
jumpthegun

(cant actually use direct hyperlinks yet sorry - I'm not trusted enough!)

http://store.americanapparel.ca/t457.html
try an XS with this shirt. i have a medium, fits loosely but well. will be getting a small soon that can show off my shape
i wear this shirt more than any other in my wardrobe. its comfy, warm and soft. i also wear it when sleeping too.

Tshirts and polos from Abercrombie and Fitch.. best fitting i've ever had..
Dress shirts from Express

In US the cut of shirt you are looking for is called "athletic cut" and it's slimmer at the waist. Go to the dress shirts area in any department store and they will have a section.

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If I wrote it, it's © me

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'll definitely be checking out some of these stores soon. Spring break is coming up next week for me and I'm about to do a lot of shopping.

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I never fail. I succeed at finding what doesn't work.

two stores H&M and topman have great slim shirts, everything they have is slim for skinny guys, they make you look a million bucks, go there

If you trim off the excess fabric and the stitching comes out, you're screwed. Tailors also do it very well. It should only cost $5-10 for a tailor to do the work on a shirt.

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