Sweat size in figures

Short answer: A sweatshirt is cut larger than a T-shirt in the same size. Four to eight centimetres extra are built into the chest, because there needs to be room for a layer underneath. So in most cases you should choose your usual size.

Four to eight centimetres extra

A medium sweatshirt measures more across the chest than a medium T-shirt. The difference is usually four to eight centimetres, and it is added on purpose when the pattern is drawn. That means sweatshirt size charts cannot be compared directly with T-shirt size charts. See bamboo sweatshirt for women.

The room is for a layer underneath

A sweatshirt is rarely worn directly against the skin all day. Most people wear a T-shirt or top underneath, and that layer needs space without the sweatshirt pulling across the chest or under the arms. The extra width also lets the fabric fall softly instead of clinging. That is part of why sweat feels so relaxed.

Why you should not size up

Many people pick a size larger in sweatshirts to be on the safe side. It is rarely needed. The extra room is already in the cut, so your usual size gives the loose fit a sweatshirt is meant to have. Size up anyway and you get more fabric everywhere, including where you do not want it. See most popular for women.

Sleeve length follows the size

One size up does not only add width. It also adds sleeve length, and that shows. The sleeve length follows the size and cannot be chosen separately on a standard model. That is why the sleeve is often the first thing that reveals a sweatshirt is too big, even when the chest looks fine. See our most popular pieces.

A sleeve that is too long shows

A sleeve that is too long bunches at the wrist or covers half your hand. That may feel cosy on the sofa, but in daily life it soon gets in the way when you cook, type or wash your hands. A cuff that fits sits right at the wrist. Check it when you try it on, with your arms down.

Measure as for a T-shirt

You do not need new measurements for a sweatshirt. Use the same chest width as for a T-shirt, measured around the widest part of the chest with your arms down. Look the number up in the sweatshirt size chart, not the T-shirt chart. Then the extra room is already counted and you land in the intended size.

If you want more room

Some people like a sweatshirt that sits extra loose. That is a fair wish, but a bigger size is not always the way to get it, because sleeves and length grow too. Look instead for a cut the product text describes as relaxed or oversized. That gives you more width without sleeves that reach past your hands.

Keep the shape in the wash

A sweatshirt keeps its shape best when you follow the care label in the neck. Turn it inside out, wash it with similar colours and let it dry flat, so a hanger does not pull the shoulders down. That way it keeps the fit you chose, and the extra room in the chest stays where it belongs.

Frequently asked questions

Should you choose a bigger size in a sweatshirt

No. A sweatshirt is already cut four to eight centimetres wider in the chest than a T-shirt in the same size, so your usual size gives the intended fit.

Why are sweatshirts cut larger

Because there needs to be room for a layer underneath. A sweatshirt is rarely worn against the skin all day, and the extra width lets the fabric fall softly.

What happens if you size up anyway

The sleeve gets too long. Sleeve length follows the size, and on a sweatshirt a sleeve that is too long is easy to see at the wrist.