Chest size matters

Author
Discussion

glenrobbo

Original Poster:

35,061 posts

149 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
quotequote all
That's got the collective PH attention wink

But it's not what you're thinking. nono

I want to order a new polo shirt with a custom embroidered logo, but it seems there is a massive variation in the sizing ranges between different manufacturers.

For instance, my chest measures a healthy PH average of 44", a bit less than my brother Sylvest with his row of 40 medals.

44" equates to EXL according to the company producing the garment I require.
However, my official TVRCC T-shirt is a Size L, measures 44" chest and fits perfectly.
I also have a sweatshirt by Urban Spirit which measures a baggy 50", but that is just a Size M.

The net result is confusion about which size to order. Especially when I have to allow for possible garment shrinkage and/ or Body Mass Index increase in the future.
Why oh why can't the rag trade agree on a standardised sizing policy?

And don't get me started on willy warmer sizes, it's a minefield out there!

What are your experiences?

ETA. I do have further upper body garments* I was only using the above items as examples for illustration purposes.

  • Nope, nothing by Victoria's Secret. smile
Edited by glenrobbo on Tuesday 30th June 11:35

Morningside

24,110 posts

228 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
quotequote all
I am a scrawny rat but I have a large chest size. Trouble is people keeping buying me medium and it's too tight.
I have to go for XL then it looks like a tent or have had a recent massive weight loss smile

Nightmare.

PH5121

1,963 posts

212 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
quotequote all
Are you getting the emblem on a generic fruit of the loom / russel athletic type of garment as often utilised by workwear branding companies?

In my limited experience of these kind of brands the sizes are not generously cut so a larger than normal size if often needed.

glenrobbo

Original Poster:

35,061 posts

149 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
quotequote all
PH5121 said:
Are you getting the emblem on a generic fruit of the loom / russel athletic type of garment as often utilised by workwear branding companies?
The polo shirts are possibly bought-in by this company, but neither of those labels apply. I can't remember the label name on the example I saw the other day.
Huge choice of colours and excellent quality though.

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
quotequote all
glenrobbo said:
I also have a sweatshirt by Urban Spirit which measures a baggy 50", but that is just a Size M.



Edited by glenrobbo on Tuesday 30th June 11:35
M means Massive.

DrDoofenshmirtz

15,184 posts

199 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
quotequote all
T-shirts I'm generally an 'L', and Polo shirts I'm usually XL.
Polo's do seem to shrink down a little after the first wash.

CubanPete

3,630 posts

187 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
quotequote all
My chest is about 43". I'm generally an L, but sometimes an XL.

Having said that, In my collection of generally mainstream brand clothing I have a medium Polo shirt that is on the Large size for me, and an XL that I have had to throw out because it is so tight I can't even wear it to do the decorating in.

glenrobbo

Original Poster:

35,061 posts

149 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
Bump!

Still no explanation as to why the world of men's garments can't adopt a standard sizing policy. frown


soad

32,825 posts

175 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
Sizing isn’t stuck to measurements, it’s not monitored, and it’s not regulated. There are no rules here.

Slim fit, regular or classic can all be whatever the manufacturer wants. They don’t tell you a thing until you’re familiar with the brand and its product lines. Even then, the fits are subject to change without warning, so that one year’s classic fit might be great for you, and the next year’s will be hanging off your butt.



Kenty

5,029 posts

174 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
Morningside said:
I am a scrawny rat but I have a large chest size. Trouble is people keeping buying me medium and it's too tight.
I have to go for XL then it looks like a tent or have had a recent massive weight loss smile

Nightmare.
Try L ;-)

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
glenrobbo said:
Bump!

Still no explanation as to why the world of men's garments can't adopt a standard sizing policy. frown
It's a marketing ploy to make the buyer feel a bit better about themselves and to increase sales.

If you are conscious of your weight you are more likely to buy a top for example if it is sized as medium rather than large or XL rather than XXL. You can then kid yourself that you are a bit smaller than you actually are.

I would like to say with which gender this is more specific too but that would be seen as being sexist which is the hot topic around here at the moment wink


M400 NBL

3,529 posts

211 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
glenrobbo said:
Bump!

Still no explanation as to why the world of men's garments can't adopt a standard sizing policy. frown
I guess some designers want to offer a tighter/baggier t-shirt without it being 1 few inches too short or long.

An option of width and length (TM) would be handy, like trousers.

I don't have particularly big arms, but I find sleeves far too tight on short sleeve shirts.

On the topic of polo t-shirts, I find them too tight under the arm pit, even when the rest fits perfectly.

lemmingjames

7,433 posts

203 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
Shirt wise, if its possible, it maybe worth while measuring pit to pit on what you have and comparing them.

However, recently ive bought a 42" chest/17 neck shirt thats 25 pit to pit that is absolutely massive in the chest and not a 42 yet ive got a 23.5 p to p thats to tight.

Dont get me started on trousers/shorts and the industries obsession that grown men should have the legs of children/skinny fit