Why XL is not the same everywhere

Short answer: The further you move from the middle of the scale, the bigger the differences between brands. XL at one brand can match L at another, so using the measurements in centimetres matters even more for the larger sizes.

The scale stretches at the ends

Brands build their scale around a middle size and stretch it both ways. The middle is well tested because most people choose it, while the ends get less attention. So differences grow the further out you go. You can see this in bamboo underwear for men, where XL can fit very differently.

The jumps get bigger

Between S and M the jump is typically four centimetres, while between XL and XXL it is often six to eight. A wrong choice at the large sizes therefore gives a bigger fit error. It shows clearly in the guide for the bamboo sweatshirt for men, where each size is listed side by side.

Always measure at the large sizes

The further from the middle you are, the more it matters to use the measurements and not the letter. A letter can mislead, but a centimetre stays the same. Check the table for bestsellers for men and compare with your own measurements before you choose. It only takes a moment.

Why the ends are less precise

Fewer items sell in the outer sizes, so the scales there are less tested. Brands often adjust the middle after lots of feedback, while the ends are refined less often. That is not necessarily a sign of poor quality, but it means you should be a little more thorough with measurements at large sizes.

How to measure yourself

Stand relaxed with a soft tape. Measure your chest at its widest, your waist where you usually wear trousers and your hips at their widest. Keep the tape level and do not pull it tight. Measure twice and use the average. With your own figures you can compare any guide.

Work back from an item you own

If you have a top that fits well, use it as a reference. Lay it flat, smooth it out and measure the width across the chest two centimetres below the armhole. Double it and compare with the guide. Then you know whether XL or XXL at this brand is closer to what you like.

Think about length too

At large sizes both width and length grow, but not always at the same rate. A top can fit the chest yet be too long or too short. Check the length from shoulder to hem as well and compare with an item you own. For tops especially, length makes a big difference.

Fabric gives a little room

Soft fabric with some stretch gives more than firm fabric and can even out small differences. A couple of centimetres short can still feel fine in a supple fabric. But at the big jumps between XL and XXL, fabric cannot rescue a wrong choice, so measurements should always come first.

Frequently asked questions

Why are the differences biggest at the ends

Because fewer items sell there, so the scales are less tested than at the middle sizes.

How big is the jump between XL and XXL

Typically six to eight centimetres in chest measurement, which is more than between the smaller sizes.

Can you work back from an item you own

Yes, measure it flat, double the width and compare with the guide at the brand you want to buy from.