SIZING | STYLE | FABRIC
NEVER SETTLE. GET THE PERFECT FIT.
We want our clothes to fit you as well as possible. And trust us, we get how apparel and body types differ. This page is dedicated to helping you make an informed decision so you can make a fantastic choice with confidence.
PLEASE NOTE: We know this is probably not the first time you’ve bought something to wear, so we ask that you please use our sizing guides below each piece of apparel, the information on this page, along with your understanding of how clothes fit you, to make your decision. We do our best to help you get the best fit, so for sizing issues, all sales are final in those cases. Unless, of course, what you order is literally not what you received, then contact us! Thanks for being understanding.
SIZING 101 | STYLES & FABRICS | QUICK SHOP ICONS (THOSE SYMBOLS BELOW SHIRTS)
SIZING CHART 101
WIDTH = the width measures across the bust, 1” below the armhole, seam to seam. (NOT all the way around.)
LENGTH = the length is measured from the highest point of the shoulder to the bottom hem of the shirt.
SIZING: Shirts are handmade and thus size measurements can vary by 2 inches.
SIZING: (cont.) Though most of our shirts are “traditional” sizing, some can run up to 2 sizes smaller, and others 1 size up from “normal” expectations. Some are also form fitted, so they hug the body and can reveal stomach/body shape. We noted which ones on their individual pages.
MODELS: Models pictured wearing shirts are wearing the actual shirt. The design and color are digitally created, though, so placement, size, and color will be VERY close, but not 100% accurate.
COLORS: If your screen is not sRGB and/or color calibrated, shirt colors may vary from what you see. You’ve likely noticed when you print something, it doesn’t match what you see on the monitor. That’s partly why.
BELLA + CANVAS: Some consider these shirts to be a little longer than other brands. Opinions vary on this, so take that for what it’s worth.
HOW IT FITS: FABRIC AND STYLES
IMPORTANT!
A higher percentage of cotton in a shirt tends to make it a bit stiffer/rigid, not in how it feels, but in how it lays on your body. Essentially, the shirt holds its form more and doesn’t “drape” over your body or result in clinging as easily. The shirt has more to do with how it looks on you than your body shape, (provided the shirt is not undersized of course).
The more blended the fabric, the softer it is, but it can also hang looser from you body and cling at times. Basically, the shirt holds its shape less and “drapes” more. Your body has more to do with how it looks on you than the shirt.
Due to this, not all tri-blends or 100% cottons will look exactly the same on you. So, when you choose colors, please take note of the blend percentages (if that matters to you).
COTTON:
– Soft and comfy
– Feels like a “traditional” weight and thickness, but softer and more breathable due to being 100% ring-spun and not vegetable fibers
– Not as soft as the dual-blend or tri-blend, if softness is your primary goal, though still very soft!
– Prints will be more vibrant than the dual-blend or tri-blend.
– It holds its shape well and blocks out color underneath, except in extreme cases such as a white shirt with a bright color underneath (which is always the case).
DUAL-BLEND:
– Read the COTTON and then read the TRI-BLEND. DUAL-BLEND are right down the middle of those two in every way. Softness, weight, thickness, color-blocking, printing vibrancy, etc, it’s halfway between them.
TRI-BLEND:
– Very soft shirts.
– It’s a thinner fabric and very lightweight.
-They tend to have a slight vintage (distressed) style print, with a little less vibrancy than the 100% cotton.
-These fabrics tend to “drape” over you and can cling more, since the cotton is what gives a shirt its shape, form, and stiffness, which these shirts only have about 25% of.
– If you opt for a lighter color, the odds of seeing a colored garment underneath is much higher, FYI.
FABRIC BREAKDOWN:
Each brand and article of clothing has slightly different combinations.
Each individual product will have it’s specific fabric combinations (cotton, polyester, rayon, etc.) broken down.
UNISEX: These are basic t-shirts designed for any body shape. Sizing is “traditional”, though as noted above, since they’re handmade, there can be a 2″ variance. Also as noted, some believe Bella+Canvas shirts can run a little long, though this opinion varies greatly among wearers.
FITTED: The shirts are designed to conform more to your body and offer a tapered look. This can be great, but they will generally show the shape of your stomach, sides, and back in a very honest way. Please be advised.
WOMENS and YOUTH: Though most of our shirts are “traditional” sizing, some can run up to 2 sizes smaller, and others 1 size up from “normal” expectations. Some are also form fitted, so they hug the body and can reveal stomach/body shape. We noted which ones on their individual pages.
SOFTNESS METER
QUICK-SHOP ICONS
Our Quick Shop Icons allow you to quickly see:
– How soft a shirt is
– How thick and light the material is
– How vibrant the print will be
– If the sizing is “normal” (see below).
Read the details above to understand how those affect the look, feel, and breathability of a shirt.
NOTE:
This is not EVERY option or combination we offer, just examples on how to understand our Quick Shop Icons.
“Normal” means that a small is a small, large is a large, etc.
“Small” means you should consider ordering a size up, depending on your body type. Example: Order a MEDIUM if you usually order a SMALL.
“Extra Small” means you should consider ordering two sizes up, depending on your body type. Example: Order a LARGE if you usually order a SMALL.
“Big” means you should consider ordering a size down, depending on your body type. Example: Order a SMALL if you usually order a MEDIUM.
A NOTE ABOUT BODY TYPES
You know you better than we do. Trust your experience.
That said, if you are a thin and slender person, “Small” and “Extra Small” sizing will likely remain “Normal” sizing for you, so you may not have to change from the size you typically get.
If you are broad, wide, thicker, or have a larger bust, you should strongly consider following the guides above for “Small” and “Extra Small” sized clothes.