Should You Size Up in an Oversized T‑Shirt?

No. Buy your normal size. An oversized tee is already cut big, so the size on the label is the size you usually wear and the extra room is built in. If you size up on top of that you get a tee that fits like a nightshirt.

That's the short answer. Here are the numbers, because "runs big" means nothing until you see inches.

Our oversized tee next to our regular tee

Both are measured flat, straight across the chest.

• S: regular 18 in wide and 28 in long, oversized 20 1/8 in wide and 27 1/2 in long
• M: regular 20 in wide and 29 in long, oversized 21 1/8 in wide and 28 in long
• L: regular 22 in wide and 30 in long, oversized 23 1/8 in wide and 29 in long
• XL: regular 24 in wide and 31 in long, oversized 25 1/8 in wide and 30 1/4 in long
• 2XL: regular 26 in wide and 32 in long, oversized 27 1/8 in wide and 31 3/4 in long

Look at the M line. The oversized tee is about 1 inch wider across the chest than the regular one, which is 2 inches more all the way round, and it's 1 inch shorter. Wider and shorter is what people mean by boxy. The shoulder seam also sits past your shoulder, so the sleeve ends closer to your elbow.

How to check against a tee you own

Take the tee you like most and lay it flat. Measure straight across from armpit to armpit. Then find the size in the list where the oversized chest is 1 to 2 inches more than your number. For most people that lands on their usual size.

Say your favorite regular tee is an M and it measures 20 inches across. The oversized M at 21 1/8 is your size.

When sizing up does make sense

You want it to hang past your hips. Oversized tees are cut shorter, so if you're over 6 ft 2 or you just like length, go up 1 size for the extra inch.

You wear it over a hoodie or a long sleeve. Layers eat room fast.

When to size down

You're between sizes and you want it relaxed, not huge. The oversized S is 20 1/8 inches across, which is the same as a regular M. So a regular M wearer who sizes down to S gets a normal fit with dropped shoulders.

Will it shrink?

Ours is 6 oz cotton. Cotton tees can lose a little length after the first hot wash and dry. Wash cold, dry on low or hang it, and it stays where it was.

Our oversized tees run XS to 3XL and they're all in oversized tees. If the fit is wrong, the return page has the steps.