Dock Rats / 14.09.2026
A size label cannot tell you everything. Two size L T-shirts may differ in width, length and shoulder placement. Start with a T-shirt you enjoy wearing, then compare its measurements with the guide for the style you want.
Choose a useful reference
Pick a shape that matches the fit you are looking for. A loose T-shirt is a more useful reference for an oversized style than a close-fitting training top. Think about length, too: should the hem stop at your hip, or do you want it to show below a hoodie?
Measure the garment flat
- Chest width: Lay the T-shirt on a level surface. Smooth the fabric without stretching it, then measure horizontally from armpit to armpit.
- Length: Measure from the highest shoulder point beside the neck to the hem. If the product guide specifies a different starting point, follow that method.
- Shoulders: Compare where the shoulder seams sit and, if relevant, the distance between them. Dropped shoulder seams are part of many oversized cuts.
Write down the measurements in centimetres. Check them again if the fabric moved. Keep the note for your next purchase.
Garment measurements are not body measurements
Read the size chart heading first. A flat chest width of 55 cm is not a body chest circumference of 55 cm. Doubling the width still does not account for the room you want between your body and the garment. A chart showing body measurements needs to be compared with your body using the stated method.
Choose the cut before the size
Sizing up in a classic T-shirt changes several measurements at once. It does not necessarily reproduce the proportions of a style designed to be oversized. Look at both width and length.
Between sizes? Compare the actual difference. Do you want the extra width, and will the extra length work? Always follow any product-specific fit note. There is no single sizing rule for every style.
Use your measurements
Find each style's information through our size guide, then explore Dock Rats T-shirts. If you are unsure, send us the product link and your measurements so we have a useful starting point.