| When did t-shirts become complicated? It used to be a | | | | Since I know a 22" measurement fits me, that's what I |
| simple thing: there were standard sizes and you | | | | look for in sizing charts. Most websites list these charts |
| grabbed your size and off you went. But now we | | | | so you can cross-reference easily, but sometimes |
| have "fashion fits", "European cuts," "slim fits," "boxy," | | | | they don't. Some sites merely list small, medium, large, |
| "tube," and so on. We're told sometimes to either order | | | | and so forth, but these terms aren't accurate any |
| up or down from our "regular" size. | | | | longer. If that's all I can find for sizing information, I have |
| In a store we can try on t-shirts and find our size, but | | | | to pass. |
| what about online sales? T-shirts sold online are a | | | | If a site lists overall chest sizes only, then you can |
| huge market, especially t-shirts featuring unique designs | | | | usually safely divide that number by 2 to correspond |
| you can't find in stores. Naturally, you want to get the | | | | to your measurement. For example, I know that a |
| right fit, so is there a secret to buying t-shirts online and | | | | t-shirt listed as a chest size 44 will measure 22 inches |
| getting the right size? | | | | across and therefore will fit me. |
| Well, there is. Here's what to do: find a favorite t-shirt | | | | Generally speaking, I have found that classic |
| you normally wear and spread it out flat on a table. | | | | American-made t-shirts run to a "standard" size. These |
| Take a ruler and measure across the width. Measure | | | | feature the basic boxy-style fit. There are exceptions, |
| from about one inch beneath the bottom of the | | | | such as American Apparel t-shirts which run a little |
| sleeves across the chest area. This measurement is | | | | tight and are more similar to the overseas made |
| your true size. | | | | t-shirts that also run about a size smaller. These almost |
| For example, my t-shirts run 22 inches across. Most of | | | | always feature the "fashion" or "European" cuts. And |
| the time this represents a standard size "large" in a | | | | the more exotic fabrics, such as bamboo rayon, are |
| men's t-shirt. But not always; I've had to order up and | | | | usually cut a little smaller also. |
| buy a size "extra large" many times. (Most often these | | | | When in doubt, or if you feel you are between sizes, |
| are t-shirts made overseas, or they are t-shirts | | | | always order up one size. All t-shirts shrink to some |
| featuring a "slim cut." These styles are about an inch | | | | extent, even 50/50 blends and bamboo rayon, and |
| narrower than what we would consider a standard | | | | chances are you'll have better luck with sizing up |
| size). | | | | rather than down. |