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How to choose the right T-shirt size?
Online clothing shopping often ends up disappointing, even though we choose a "proven" size. Each brand uses its own sizing, so identical labels may mean completely different dimensions. To avoid a wrong purchase, it's worth focusing on specific measurements rather than just the letter on the label. In this guide, we show you how to measure a T-shirt and how to read a T-shirt size chart.
How to Choose the Right Size T-Shirt? - Measuring Your Own Dimensions
If you want to select the right size T-shirt, it's best to start by measuring your body's dimensions. Our own measurements are the surest reference point when comparing them with the size chart of a given brand. Use a tailor's tape measure or another measuring tape for this. For better measurement accuracy, it's worth asking another person for help as self-measuring can be inaccurate and lead to mistakes. The key measurements for T-shirt dimensions are:
- Chest circumference – the measuring tape should be run under the armpits, horizontally around the chest, at its widest and most protruding point.
- Waist circumference – the measurement is done by running the tape around the waist at its natural, narrowest point, without overly compressing the body.
- Hip circumference – the tape should be run around the hips at their widest point, ensuring it's laid flat and horizontally.
Note! When measuring, do not measure over thick clothing. A common mistake is also pulling the measuring tape too tightly or holding it too loosely. The tape should gently adhere to the body, evenly encompassing it, without pressing the skin and without too much slack.
How to Measure a T-Shirt Itself?
Instead of measuring your own dimensions, you can also measure a T-shirt that you think fits you perfectly. This is one of the quickest and most accurate ways to select the right size for a new T-shirt. Just find the best-fitting model in your wardrobe and lay it on a flat, even surface. Then record the obtained values and compare them with the manufacturer's size chart. When measuring the T-shirt, pay attention to the following dimensions:
- Total length – measured from the highest point at the collar to the bottom edge of the T-shirt.
- Width at the chest – measured at chest height, from one side to the other, without stretching the material.
- T-shirt width at the waist – measured at the narrowest place of the T-shirt, also from edge to edge.
- Sleeve length – measured from the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve.
Watch the video where we show you how to properly measure a T-shirt!
Sample T-Shirt Size Chart
If you already know your dimensions or have measured a T-shirt that fits you perfectly, you can proceed to analyse the size chart of a specific model. In online stores, size charts are usually available on the product page and are a primary source of information when choosing the right size.
Sample size chart for the T-shirt Mil-Tec – Black from our store:
| Size | Width under arms (cm) | Total length - back (cm) | Sleeve length on the outside (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 50 | 71 | 19 |
| M | 54 | 73 | 20 |
| L | 58 | 76 | 20 |
| XL | 60 | 80 | 21 |
| XXL | 62 | 80 | 22 |
| 3XL | 67 | 82 | 23 |
| 4XL | 69 | 84 | 24 |
| 5XL | 73 | 86 | 25 |
| 6XL | 76 | 90 | 26 |
Below is a sample size chart for a T-shirt from our offer – T-shirt Texar Olive:
| Size | Width under arms (cm) | Inner sleeve length (cm) | Total length - back (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 40 | 11 | 66 |
| S | 44 | 9 | 66 |
| M | 48 | 10 | 70 |
| L | 52 | 11 | 72 |
| XL | 56 | 13 | 74 |
| XXL | 60 | 12 | 77 |
| 3XL | 64 | 13 | 79 |
As you can see from the above examples, both T-shirts are marked with identical letter sizes, but their measurements differ. The Mil-Tec T-shirt in size M has a width under the arms of 54 cm and a length of 73 cm, while the Texar Olive in the same size is 48 cm in width and 70 cm in length.
Therefore, always thoroughly check the size chart for the specific model. Differences arise from the sizing policy of individual manufacturers – the letter size (S, M, L) is just an indicative reference point, and actual dimensions may vary significantly between brands.
Why Do T-Shirts from Different Countries Have Different Sizes?
If you've ever ordered clothes from abroad and discovered that size M is not what you thought, you are not alone. Clothing sizes vary significantly between countries. People in different parts of the world have different average body proportions. Americans and Europeans typically have broader shoulders and larger chests than Asians at similar heights. Manufacturers adjust cuts to the dominant body types in their target markets.
Europe
In Europe, sizes are relatively consistent within the Union, although there are still some differences between countries. Italian T-shirt sizes are often slightly smaller than French or German ones. In Europe, a numerical system (46, 48, 50) is more commonly used for men's shirts, which is more precise than the letter system (S, M, L).
USA
American T-shirt sizes tend to run larger than European ones for a given letter size, and US sizing is also where the phenomenon known as "vanity sizing" is most pronounced — labels have crept upwards over the decades so that, for example, a women's US size 8 today would often have been labelled a 12 or 14 a generation ago. Additionally, sizing varies significantly between brands, making proper size selection require special attention.
Asia (China, Japan, Korea)
T-shirt sizes in Asian countries are typically smaller than in Europe and the USA. For example, a size L from China often corresponds to a European M or even S. T-shirt cuts are usually narrower at the shoulders and shorter in length, so when shopping online, it's especially important to check the dimensions provided by the manufacturer.
United Kingdom
UK sizing generally sits closer to the European system than to the American one, particularly for women's clothing, where UK numeric sizes tend to run noticeably smaller-looking than US ones for the same body measurements simply because they use a different numbering scale, not because the fit is more generous — if anything, it's US sizing that has drifted furthest from actual body measurements over time due to vanity sizing. For men's T-shirts using letter sizes (S, M, L), UK and US labels are often similar on paper, but actual chest measurements for a given letter can still vary noticeably between brands, so checking the specific size chart remains essential.
T-Shirts in the MILITARY Store Offer
In our store, you will find T-shirts from renowned brands specialising in tactical and outdoor clothing, such as Mil-Tec, Helikon-Tex, Pentagon and many other trusted manufacturers. This is professional clothing designed for extreme conditions and intense use.
These T-shirts are made from the highest quality materials resistant to wear, tear, and frequent washing. Reinforced seams and solid finishes ensure that the clothing will endure years of intense use, both on the trail and during everyday activities.
