I don’t care what size is printed on a T-Shirt tag – especially if we are talking about vintage tees. What ALWAYS matters most is the actual fit. And actual fit can be easily determined by the shirt’s measurements.

Follow the steps below to find out yours:

How To Measure A T-Shirt

1. Take your favorite T-shirt – one that you know fits you well – and lay it out flat on a table or similar surface. Smooth out the fabric and let it lay naturally, don’t try to hold or stretch it or your measurements will be wrong. Accuracy is key here.
   
2. Measure armpit to armpit – straight across (where the lower seam meets the shirt body). This is your Chest measurement.
   
3. Measure from where the collar meets the shoulder, down to the tip of the bottom hem. This is your Length measurement.

Boom! You’re done! That wasn’t so hard right?

Why You Should Measure a Vintage T-Shirt

Nice job! Now that you have your measurements, here are some things to consider:

• T-Shirt sizing is relative – especially when comparing modern to vintage sizing – where size can vary wildly by brand, style, and era. If you are already into buying, selling, and/or collecting vintage tees, you may have encountered this already. If you’re new to the game, this is why the best sellers provide measurements to their buyers.

• Measurements are the absolute best way to determine a good fit. Period.
  70s and 80s vintage tees tend to run smaller than modern T-shirts. In some cases, the difference can be up to 2 full sizes!
  
  That 80s Screen Stars vintage tee you are eyeing may say “Large” on the tag – but the actual fit (determined by the measurements) is probably closer to a modern Medium. Ouch!
  
  When in doubt, ask the seller for measurements if they aren’t posted. You can even share this post to be sure the ones you get in reply are accurate!

• Though we take the length measurement from the seam where the collar meets the shoulder, some vintage sellers take the length from the top tip of the back collar down the shirt’s center to the tip of the bottom hem. This can give an inaccurate measurement, especially if the collar is thick and tall or otherwise different from a normal collar. Measuring from where the collar meets the shoulder will give you a better idea of how the shirt will hang naturally, regardless of the collar style.
  
  If you have any doubts, you can always message the seller for details.

• Pro Tip: The speed of the seller’s reply can also give you an idea of what level of service to expect when buying from them.

• You can compare your measurements to the chart below for a general guideline of modern T-shirt sizing. Length can sometimes vary by a couple of inches so it is good to know what measurements fit you best.

In the market for vintage tees? Check out our current selection right here.

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