Oversized T-Shirt Size Guide: How to Pick the Right Size

The most common mistake with oversized t-shirts is the size. Many people buy one or two sizes up, because the word "oversized" sounds like "buy bigger". The result is a tee with a neck that is too wide and sleeves that reach past the elbow. This guide shows you how to choose the right size the first time.

#Do you size up for an oversized t-shirt?

No. A brand makes an oversized tee from its own pattern, which is the paper shape that the factory cuts the fabric from. That pattern already adds room at the chest, the body and the shoulders. If you size up, you add extra room on top of extra room.

Buy your normal size first. Change the size only after you read the size chart, as this guide explains.

#The four measurements that matter

Every good size chart lists these four numbers. Learn what each one means.

Many Indian brands give measurements in inches. Some give the chest as the width of the flat tee, and some give the full distance around the body. Read the note on the chart. A flat width of 23 inches is about 46 inches around.

#How to compare with a tee that you own

This is the most reliable method, because it uses a tee that you already know fits well.

1. Choose a t-shirt that fits the way you want the new one to fit.
2. Lay it flat on a bed or a table and smooth out the wrinkles.
3. Measure the chest from armpit to armpit.
4. Measure the length from the highest point of the shoulder to the hem.
5. Compare these two numbers with the size chart of the new tee.
6. Choose the size with the closest numbers.

If you do not own an oversized tee, measure a regular tee. Then add about 4 to 6 inches to the chest number for a typical oversized fit.

#Typical oversized sizes in India

Every brand is different, so treat this table as a starting point, not a rule. The numbers are typical full-chest measurements of the garment.

#How height and build change your size

The chest number decides the width. Your height decides how the length looks.

For short people, the length matters more than the width. A tee that ends below the hips makes your legs look shorter. Read Boxy Fit vs Oversized T-Shirt to learn about the shorter, wider boxy cut.

#Oversized sizes for women

Many oversized tees in India are unisex. A unisex size chart usually follows men's sizes. Use these rules.

1. Take one size smaller than your usual women's size as a start. A woman who wears an M in women's tops often fits an S in a unisex oversized tee.
2. Check the length. If you want to wear the tee as a dress, choose a size with a length of 30 inches or more.
3. If you want to tuck the tee into high-waist jeans, choose your normal size so the tuck does not look bulky.

#Signs that the size is wrong

Use these signs when you try the tee on.

• The neck opening shows your collarbones or a lot of chest. The tee is too big.
• The sleeves end below your elbow. The tee is too big for your frame.
• The hem ends above your belt. The tee is too small, or it is a cropped cut.
• The fabric pulls across your chest or your back. The tee is too small.
• The shoulder seam sits on the edge of your shoulder. The tee is not a real oversized cut.

#Check the fabric too

A heavy fabric holds the oversized shape. A thin fabric clings to the body and makes any size look wrong. For oversized tees, choose a fabric weight of 220 to 260 GSM. GSM means grams per square metre. Read What Is GSM in T-Shirts? to learn more.

Also look for the words "pre-shrunk" or "bio-washed" on the product page. A pre-shrunk tee keeps its size after the first wash.