T-shirts are perhaps the most popular category of items. Practical, universal products are relevant for people of different age groups at all times of the year. That is why the gurus of world fashion and mass-market manufacturers offer dozens of new models every season. Each brand has its own distinctive features, the sizes of T-shirts also vary, which is definitely worth considering when choosing. Online shopping enthusiasts are advised to study the specifics of the size charts of different countries in advance. Only by understanding the digital and letter designations can you be sure to buy the perfect T-shirt that will fit like a glove.
Peculiarities of size charts in different countries
Typically, the size of a T-shirt is determined by height and chest circumference. Different manufacturing countries have their own specific grids based on the two parameters indicated - this should always be taken into account when purchasing products from foreign brands. The table below shows how to find out the sizes of T-shirts, taking into account the main measurement systems of different countries.
| Russian Federation | Western European countries (Spain, Italy, France) |
America, UK | Letter designations | Height (cm) |
| 42–44 | 40–42 | 8 | XXS | 155–160 |
| 44–46 | 42–44 | 10 | XS | 161–166 |
| 46–48 | 44–46 | 12 | S | 167–172 |
| 48–50 | 46–48 | 14 | M | 173–178 |
| 50–54 | 48–50 | 16 | L | 179–184 |
| 54–56 | 50–52 | 18 | XL | 185–190 |
| 56–58 | 52–56 | 20 | XXL | 191–196 |
| 58–60 | 56–60 | 22 | XXXL | 197–203 |
In Russia, the USA and most European countries (for example, Italy), women's and men's sizes are determined by height and chest circumference, children's sizes are determined by age. It is customary to use numbers (they differ in different countries) and Latin letters (the generally accepted international system) to indicate parameters. The second option has become more widespread.
| Chest, cm | Size, Russian Federation | International standard | Product width, cm |
Length, cm |
| 84–88 | 44 | XS | 48 | 63 |
| 89–92 | 46 | S | 50 | 65 |
| 93–96 | 48 | M | 52 | 67 |
| 97–100 | 50 | L | 54 | 69 |
| 101–104 | 52 | XL | 57 | 71 |
| 105–108 | 54 | 2XL | 59 | 73 |
| 109–112 | 56 | 3XL | 61 | 76 |
| 113–116 | 58 | 4XL | 63 | 78 |
| 117–121 | 60 | 5XL | 65 | 80 |
A man's T-shirt should fit loosely, a woman's should be a little tight. If a tank top is worn underneath, it should not show through. This rule applies to both sportswear and casual looks.
Necessary measurements for the correct choice
You can take the necessary measurements in two ways - by applying a measuring tape to your body or using an old T-shirt. If possible, it is better to choose the first option, as it is more accurate. In the second case, you can determine the appropriate length by connecting the middle of the edge of the product with the central point of the neckline with a ruler. The width of the item is the distance in a straight line between the two lower points of the armholes for the sleeves.
It is more convenient to take body measurements with an assistant: one works with a ruler or measuring tape, the other stands still. Step by step instructions:
- Straighten your shoulders.
- Place a measuring tape or measuring tape along the line of the shoulder blades.
- Divide the resulting number by two.
- Round the result up.
After that, you will need to compare the result with the table and choose the appropriate size. Each T-shirt has its own length - this is the distance from the hip to the most convex point of the shoulder. Women can wear more elongated models, reminiscent of antique tunics. For men, the standard is considered to be a single option - the length below the waist.
Size Conversion Charts
According to the international system, sizes are designated by Latin letters. This marking is similar to digital. There are different tables - women's, children's and men's. The number or number is assigned based on height, chest circumference.
Male
An important rule of men's dress code is that the bottom edge of short-sleeved clothing should be at the level of the belt buckle. You should not wear things with a stretched neck. The sizes of men's T-shirts, domestic and international, are indicated in the table.
| Russian size | Chest in cm | Height in cm | USA and England | Europe | Italy | International |
| 44 | 85–88 | 171 | 34 | 44 | 42 | XXS |
| 46 | 89–92 | 174 | 36 | 46 | 44 | XS |
| 48 | 93–96 | 177 | 38 | 48 | 46 | S |
| 50 | 97–100 | 179 | 40 | 50 | 48 | M |
| 52 | 101–104 | 183 | 42 | 52 | 50 | L |
| 54 | 105–108 | 185 | 44 | 54 | 52 | XL |
| 56 | 109–112 | 187 | 46 | 56 | 54 | XXL |
| 58 | 113–115 | 189 | 48 | 58 | 56 | XXXL |
Recommended fabrics for making clothes are cotton and viscose. They absorb sweat well, and natural materials are easy to care for. If the product is planned to be worn under a sweater or shirt, the size of the T-shirt for men is preferable slightly larger than the standard.
Women's
It should be borne in mind that in Europe it is very difficult to find women's models of large sizes, so ladies with curves are better off choosing domestic or American products. The main sizes of women's T-shirts are reflected in the table.
| Height, chest circumference in cm | 157 78–81 |
164
82–85 |
169
86–92 |
174
94–97 |
179
98–101 |
184
106–109 |
189
110–113 |
| Russian size | 40 | 42 | 44–46 | 48 | 50–52 | 54 | 56 |
| USA and England,
international |
XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL |
| Europe | 32–34 | 34–36 | 38–40 | 40–42 | 44–46 | — | — |
| Italy | 38–40 | 40–42 | 44–46 | 46–48 | 48–50 | — | — |
Cotton T-shirts are the ideal option for winter. In summer, on the contrary, synthetics should be preferred. There is a rule for girls: it is better to avoid overly tight items so as not to look vulgar.
Children's
To determine children's T-shirt sizes, it is not enough to know the height. You will also need the chest, hips and waist measurements. Children under one year are measured in a lying position.
| Russia | Europe | United Kingdom | America | Chest circumference in cm | Height in cm |
| 28 | 1 | 3 | 3T | 57 | 99 |
| 28–30 | 1 | 3 | 4T | 57 | 105 |
| 30 | 2 | 4 | 5–6 | 61 | 111 |
| 32 | 2 | 4 | 5–6 | 61 | 117 |
| 32–34 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 65 | 123 |
| 34 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 65 | 129 |
It is more reliable to rely on the size range than on age. All children are different. There are strong children who at 5 years old do not differ in appearance from first-graders, and some schoolchildren are very thin and short. Girls at 7-10 years old are slightly shorter than boys.
You shouldn't choose items for children that are too big to grow into: due to children's carelessness, a large size is unlikely to extend the period of use, and in the meantime, the child will feel uncomfortable wearing the item.
How to determine the size of a product by height
Height is a parameter that plays an important role in choosing a T-shirt for women and men, especially when ordering online. You can find out your size by this criterion yourself. You will need:
- Stand with your back to the wall so that your heels rest against it.
- Take a motionless, stable position.
- Measure the height from the highest point of the head to the base of the foot.
- Write down the resulting number.
After this, the required digital (letter) designation is found in the table - this is the size of the T-shirt, men's or women's.
Among Chinese-made products, it is rare to find a T-shirt for tall people.
It is better to measure height at home with an assistant. If you have any doubts about the correctness of the calculations, you can repeat the procedure at any clinic using special equipment - this result will be more accurate.
Helpful tips for online shopping
Unfortunately, online shopping is not always successful. The size range varies among different brands, and the risk of getting the right parameters wrong is too high. As practice shows, you can also make a mistake with the appropriate length of T-shirts. To minimize the likelihood of disappointment, when choosing, you need to:
- Rely only on accurate measurements and perform calculations with minimal error.
- Look for markings according to the correspondence table, focusing not on the designation itself (for example, size 48, M, XL), but on specific parameters (chest, hip, waist, height).
- Choose cotton models a little larger than necessary, because when washed, this material often shrinks, decreasing in volume. This rule is also relevant if the T-shirt is purchased as a gift or for a child.
You should also take into account possible nuances of the size chart of a particular manufacturer. It is better to constantly buy things from one company, so the probability of making a mistake is minimized, and it will be easy to navigate the T-shirt size chart.
You should only buy clothes from trusted online stores. When paying by card, you must not tell the seller any passwords or security codes.
Ordering clothes online is always a certain risk. Sometimes even comprehensive knowledge of how to determine the size of T-shirts is not enough for a successful purchase. If there are any doubts, or you need a non-standard size, it is better to choose the item in person in the store or sew it yourself. When purchasing a T-shirt as a gift, you must definitely clarify the parameters of the person for whom the gift is intended.
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