How to Choose the Perfect T-Shirt Size

Everyone loves t-shirts. They’re one of the most universal clothing items around. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a man or a woman, young or old. They’re great for sleeping in or going to the gym. They’re perfect to wear when you need to do some yard work or gardening. They’re comfortable and low-maintenance for a low-key Sunday of hanging out around the house watching TV.

"Well that’s it. I’ve found the perfect t-shirt! Perfectly weighted, not too baggy, not too short, not too boxy, not too tight. I bought 7 shirts in different colors."

- Andrew, Goodwear customer, January 2023

You too, can be like Andrew. You've just got to know the perfect size. Read on to learn more and find the perfect Goodwear shirt for you.

The Longevity Of The T-Shirt

Trends have come and gone over the years, but the t-shirt is one staple that has been here a long time and doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. One of the reasons for this universal appeal is how many situations it’s good for. Another reason is how absolutely comfortable it is.

While many button-downs, polos, sweaters or dress shirts feel stiff, or cling too tightly, or have uncomfortable collars, the t-shirt is soft, flexible and wonderfully comfortable.

Another reason for the t-shirt’s popularity is how versatile it is. It can be worn on its own, or it can be worn underneath an open button-up, or it can be hidden underneath a sweater or other shirt for an extra layer of warmth. They can be a solid color, they can be patterned, or they can come in wild designs and covered with fun graphic pictures or quotes. They can look very casual, or they can look a little bit dressier, particularly if you choose a solid color and wear it with a nice pair of blue jeans or khakis.

Finding The Perfect T-Shirt Size

What is not so great about t-shirts is how difficult it can be to find one that fits properly. In some cases, choosing the right t-Shirt can be annoyingly complicated. It’s something that seems like it should be easy, but in reality, is very complicated. Many t-shirts seem to cling in the wrong places, or hang awkwardly like a box or look awkward and ill-fitting in some other way.

At Goodwear, we believe that finding a t-shirt that fits you properly shouldn’t be so complicated. To help you learn how to find the perfect t-shirt fit for you and your body, we’ve put together some tips and tricks.

5 Tips & Tricks For Finding The Perfect T-Shirt

It would be nice if t-shirt sizes were standard, and that if every time you picked up a size medium in any store, it was exactly the same size. Unfortunately, a medium in some stores is the size of an extra large in other stores.

Because of the raging disparity in what the size label actually means, it’s difficult to determine what size t-shirt you should be wearing.

The solution? Stop worrying so much about what size you are. Most likely, you’ll be a different size at every store you visit. Instead, try on a variety of sizes every place you go, and use your best judgment as you evaluate how the shirt looks on you to determine what size to buy.

When determining how a t-shirt should fit, here are some things to look for:

1. Size/Tightness

A t-shirt that fits correctly should be neither too tight nor too loose. If it’s too loose, it’ll hang on you like a box and look completely unflattering. If it’s too tight, it’ll look like you’re squeezed into it and are about to burst the seams at any point — a look that will almost certainly come across as conceited and annoying.

2. Shoulder Seams

The shoulder seams are a good way to tell how well a shirt fits you. Ideally, these seams should reach to the end of your shoulder at the very top of your arm. If they extend down your upper arm, the shirt is too big. If they don’t reach the end of your shoulder, the shirt is too small.

3. Sleeves

The sleeves should extend about halfway down your upper arm. If you’re exceptionally tall, you might be safe wearing sleeves that are slightly longer, as these will look more proportional.

4. Length

The bottom hem of your t-shirt shouldn’t hit any higher than your hips, or it’s too small. It should cover your waistband and extend a few inches past that. If it’s shorter than that, it’ll look like a crop top when you raise your arms. If it’s longer than that, it’ll look like a dress. When trying on a t-shirt, make sure you raise your arms to see how far it rides up.

5. Shape

Many cheap t-shirts have no shape to them at all. They hang like boxes when you put them on and are extremely unattractive. Search instead for a t-shirt that follows the lines of your body a little more. Avoid any that are cut in the shapes of large squares.

How to Measure Yourself for a T-Shirt

When it comes to choosing a size for a t-shirt, the sizes can be all over the map. This often makes them less than helpful. In some cases, however, the store or brand may provide a sizing chart.

A t-shirt sizing chart like ours can be helpful because it breaks down a list of measurements and tells you what size those measurements will add up to. This makes it easy to glance at the chart for your size chest, for example, and see what size shirt someone with that measurement ought to wear.

When it comes to measuring yourself for a t-shirt, here are the measurements you should take:

1. Chest

To measure your chest, wrap the tape measure under your armpits and around the fullest part of your chest. It’s important to stand normally, without flexing or puffing out your chest. The tape measure should be snug, but it shouldn’t be so tight that it hampers your breathing.

2. Length

The bottom hem of your t-shirt should go a few inches below your waistband. To measure the length you need, stand straight and measure from the high point of your shoulder to below your waist.

How to Pick a T-Shirt for Your Body Type

Before you can pick the t-shirt that will look perfect on your body type, you have to know what your body type is. Let’s run through the most common body types briefly.

• Rectangle: This body type is fairly self-explanatory. This means your shoulders and your waist are roughly the same width, giving a rectangular shape. People with this body type tend to be tall and slightly built.
• Oval: The oval body type is very similar to the rectangle build, but it normally involves a larger frame and a softer middle.
• Trapezoid: With this body type, the shoulders are wider than the waist. This is the body type that many associate with a sports star or a traditional Hollywood heartthrob.
• Inverted Triangle: This body type is the trapezoid taken to the extreme. The shoulders are much wider than the waist, and the shoulder-to-waist ratio forms an upside down triangle.
• Non-Inverted Triangle: The exact opposite of the inverted triangle, this body type is distinguished by a waist that is wider than the shoulders.

The 3 Common T-Shirt Fits

The general rule of thumb when it comes to t-shirts is the same rule that governs most clothing. If you have muscle, don’t hide it. If you don’t have a lot of muscle, do your best to play up what you do have. And if you’re carrying extra weight, many styles will help you mask that.

A quick breakdown of some of the most common styles of T-shirts includes:

• Slim Fit: This fit is meant to be tighter on your body. This is the perfect T-shirt if you are looking to show off your figure.

• Classic Fit: If you are looking for a looser and comfortable fit a classic fit T-shirt is the perfect choice!

• Modern Fit: Are you looking for a structured and stylish fit that does not hug your body? A modern fit t-shirt is the perfect solution for you.

Why It’s Important to Invest in High-Quality T-Shirts

Anyone can go to their local department or super store and pick up a TtShirt for a few dollars. Plenty of people do, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

However, there are several notable down sides to buying those kinds of t-shirts. The biggest difference is the lack of quality. These TtShirts are cheap, which means they’re affordable, but it also means they aren’t likely to last very long. You might have them for a season or a year, but they’ll soon rip, tear and lose their vibrant color.

Many cheap t-Shirts are also made of cheap material that is uncomfortable and scratchy to the touch. They also tend to shrink in the wash, meaning that you only get a few good wears out of it before it’s too small for you.

It’s worth it to spend a little more and buy a high quality t-shirt. The cost will be more than offset by how long it will last you. One nice t-shirt can last you for years, whereas you might have to buy three or four cheaper t-shirts to make it through the same amount of time.

A more expensive t-Shirt will also be more comfortable. The fabric will be softer and gentler on your skin and often seamlessly stitched for more seamless clothing. It’ll wash better, and won’t shrink or lose its shape.

When you buy a more expensive t-shirt, you’re also more likely to find a size that fits you better and is more flattering to you. Many cheaply made t-shirts are cut in very standard, square box shapes that aren’t flattering on anyone. To find a shape and a design that really flatters your body, you’re going to have to spend a little extra money to get the quality that will come with a well-designed t-shirt.

What Makes Our T-Shirts Different

At Goodwear, we believe that every t-shirt you buy should be the perfect t-shirt. We believe in selling you quality products that have been proudly manufactured right here in the USA. We prioritize quality over everything else and are wholly committed to producing top-quality clothing items that will last for years to come without getting holes, stretching out, shrinking or fading.

We know that everyone is looking for their perfect t-shirt. Whether you’ve never been able to find the right one because you can’t find the right size, or because the ones you’ve bought in the past keep ripping or losing their shape, we understand that struggle.

We’re confident that when you buy one of our carefully-crafted high-quality t-shirts, your t-shirt search will be over, and you’ll look no further for the perfect shirt. When you buy t-shirts from us, you’re investing in wardrobe staples that will last you for years to come.

What makes our shirt so special is the care and effort that we devote to making them. They manufactured in the USA, meaning they aren’t being produced cheaply overseas. We’re committed to making high-quality products because we believe that you don’t deserve anything less.

Shop Goodwear T-Shirts Today

We hope you’re convinced of how worthwhile it is to invest in great wardrobe staples like t-shirts. And we hope you’ll consider shopping at Goodwear to fulfill those needs.

For almost 35 years, Goodwear has been a proud manufacturer of American-made clothing items, and our work and our reputation has only grown stronger from there. When you shop with us, you can feel confident that you’re supporting an American company that’s committed to delivering quality goods every time.