If you’re tall, you’re probably familiar with the problem: the shirt fits more or less right across the chest, but the sleeves end just a bit too short, so the cuffs ride up as soon as you bend your arm. This is where a shirt with a 72 cm sleeve length comes in handy.
For many men, the difference between a shirt that looks good on the hanger and one that actually works in everyday life is a question of proportions. Not just width, but length. TALL shirts has been designed with precisely that in mind, and a sleeve length of 72 cm is one of the measurements that often makes a noticeable difference for tall men.
The range at At Birger's There are several TALL shirts with 72 cm sleeves, particularly from Casa Moda. The focus here is on longer sleeves, better balance in the upper body and sizes that go beyond the range typically found in ordinary men’s shops.
What does a 72 cm sleeve length on a shirt mean?
When a shirt is described as having a sleeve length of 72 cm, this refers to the arm length of the model. In practice, this is relevant for men who often find that standard shirts have sleeves that are too short. At Birgers size guide It clearly takes into account the difference between arm lengths of 69 cm and 72 cm, which makes the choice more precise.
Those extra centimetres might not sound like much, but you’ll notice them straight away when you’re wearing the shirt. Especially if you wear a shirt at work, to meetings, to parties, or simply want to avoid your sleeves riding up when you reach forward.
A shirt with 72 cm sleeves isn’t automatically the right choice for all tall men, but it’s often a good option if you have long arms, a long torso or generally find that standard shirts are too short.
TALL shirts for tall men: the difference between 69 cm and 72 cm
TALL isn’t just about longer sleeves. It’s also about tailored proportions. At Birger, TALL shirts are described as styles for taller men, with a fit that is better tailored to the body than many standard versions.
That is precisely why many tall men find that a larger standard size does not solve the problem. If you go up a size, you might get a bit more length, but often you’ll also end up with too much width across the waist, chest or shoulders. TALL is designed to be a more thought-through solution.
There are some fairly clear signs that you should look for 72 cm sleeves rather than a standard shirt:
- Cuffs that are too short
- The shirt is pulling across my shoulders
- The sleeves ride up when you’re sitting at your desk
- You choose a larger size just to get a bit more length
- The shirt rides up slightly out of the trousers
When a shirt is the right length, it also hangs better. This gives the outfit a more polished look, and often makes it feel more comfortable throughout the day.
Size guide for shirts with a sleeve length of 72 cm
The most important rule is simple: don’t just choose based on the size you usually buy. With TALL shirts, you should check the neck measurement, chest width and the specific fit.
Birger’s size guide for Casa Moda shows that a sleeve length of 72 cm is available in several sizes. In Comfort Fit The sleeve length is 72 cm from size M (39/40) right up to 7XL (55/56). In the Modern Fit, the sleeve length is 72 cm from size M (39/40) to 4XL (49/50). For at least one specific 72 cm model, the sizes could be confirmed as 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54.
Measure your neck, chest and body shape before choosing a shirt
Before you place your order, it’s a good idea to take your measurements with a tape measure. At Birger, we recommend comparing your own measurements with the size guide, and this is particularly important when it comes to shirts.
Here’s a practical way of doing it:
- Measure the neck: Use the guide to find your shirt or collar size, such as 39/40, 41/42 or 43/44.
- Measure your chest circumference: Use the chest measurement as a guide to ensure the shirt also fits well around the torso.
- Check the sleeve length: If you’ve often found standard shirts too short, 72 cm is worth going for.
- Take a look at the fit: Comfort fit, modern fit and casual fit feel different, even in the same size.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that TALL tops at Hos Birger follow a separate sizing system based on chest measurements. The scale here ranges from S Tall to 6XL Tall. This means that you’ll find both classic shirt sizes and TALL sizes on the same website, which can be confusing if you only look at a single number.
The table below provides a quick overview of the documented ranges in the size guide:
| Fit | 72 cm sleeve length in the guide | Typical shirt sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort Fit | Yes | M (39/40) to 7XL (55/56) |
| Modern Fit | Yes | M (39/40) to 4XL (49/50) |
| Casual Fit | Available in the range | Varies by model |
If you’re between two sizes, the advice in the size guide is to choose the larger option or seek advice. This is good advice, especially when length and freedom of movement are more important than a really snug fit.
A selection of 72 cm TALL shirts at Hos Birger
The documented range of shirts with 72 cm sleeves consists mainly of Casa Moda styles in the TALL range. The most common fit is Comfort Fit, whilst there is also at least one Casual Fit style.
Colours and patterns vary widely, so 72 cm sleeves are not just for the classic white office shirt. The range includes, amongst others, white, light blue textured, medium blue, black and brown prints, dots, large checks and a style featuring Floral base and shades of blue.
This is an important detail, because many tall men have long been accustomed to choosing whatever was available rather than what they actually fancied wearing. When garments come in a range of lengths, it becomes easier to build a wardrobe that works for both work and leisure.
Models shown with 72 cm sleeves
Based on the categories and product listings reviewed, the following types can be mentioned:
- Comfort fit: white, light blue textured, medium blue, black, brown print and several patterned variants
- Casual fit: large checked pattern
- Floral background in shades of blue
- Polka-dot shirts
- Dark and light business colours
On at least one product page, the material was listed as 100% cotton. For the other models, the material composition could not be confirmed individually in every case, but the category descriptions emphasise high-quality materials, breathability and durability.
Shirts in size 72 cm: comfort fit, casual fit and modern fit
The fit is just as important as the length. Two shirts may have sleeves that are both 72 cm long, but they can feel very different when worn.
Comfort Fit is the most prominent fit amongst the documented 72 cm models. It offers more room across the chest and waist, making this model ideal for men who want a little extra space or simply appreciate a relaxed-fit shirt that doesn’t feel tight as the day goes on.
Modern Fit is described in the size guide as a more fitted style. This is a good choice if you’re tall and want a slightly more defined silhouette without going all the way to a slim, close-fitting shirt. Casual Fit is available in at least one checked style and works well for a more informal look.
A simple rule of thumb might be:
- Comfort fit: more space and classic everyday comfort
- Modern fit: a more clearly defined shape
- Casual fit: a relaxed look for leisure and smart casual occasions
If you’re tall and slim, it’s often worth paying extra attention to the fit. A shirt with the right sleeve length is only really good if the rest of the garment fits the way you want it to.
How to choose the right 72 cm shirt for work and leisure
The great thing about 72 cm TALL shirts is that they don’t just solve a practical problem. They can also make your wardrobe more versatile. A white or light blue shirt is ideal for the office, smart occasions and events, whilst checks, prints and darker colours add a touch more personality to your everyday look.
If you want to get the most out of your purchase, it might be a good idea to start with one classic base colour and then add a more casual style. That way, you’ll have something that’s easy to wear as well as something that adds variety.
A good place to start might be to consider these needs:
- For work: white, light blue or medium blue
- For leisure: chequered, printed or dotted pattern
- For general use: black or a subtle pattern
- On versatility: a simple cotton shirt
Once you’ve got the length sorted, it becomes easier to choose based on style. That’s often when your wardrobe starts to feel simpler.
Common mistakes when choosing a shirt with 72 cm sleeves
The most common mistake is to shop out of habit. Many people choose the same size as always and hope that the new shirt will fit better than the old one. That rarely happens if the problem is actually down to body proportions.
Another common mistake is to confuse the collar size with the overall fit of the shirt. A shirt in size 41/42 may fit perfectly around the neck, but still be the wrong size across the chest, waist or in length. That’s why it makes sense to use both neck and chest measurements as guidelines.
It’s also easy to think that TALL simply means longer sleeves. However, Birger’s descriptions suggest that TALL is about more than that. Consideration is also given to the overall balance of the shirt, and that is precisely why a TALL style often feels better than simply going up a size.
If you want to avoid making a bad purchase, just bear in mind three simple things:
- Check your measurements before ordering
- Compare with the specific size guide
- Choose your fit with just as much care as you do your size
For tall men, a shirt with a sleeve length of 72 cm is rarely just a minor detail. It’s often the difference between something you’ll put up with and something you’ll actually want to wear again tomorrow.




