How To Measure A Crewneck Sweatshirt For A Perfect Fit

Your crewneck sweatshirt has the potential to be the most well-loved item in your wardrobe.

Classic, cool and divinely comfortable, it's a wardrobe staple made to last. Yet, to achieve that gold-start status, it needs to fit correctly.

Before you make a purchase, it's worth taking the time to understand your measurements. Today, we're walking you through a step-by-step guide to choosing the perfect fit for your next athleisure investment. Read on for the sizing instructions you need.

Step 1: Gather Your Resources

Always measure yourself with a flexible measuring tape that's at least 36 inches long or longer. Try to steer clear of using a standard 12-inch ruler or a rigid, retractable measuring tape.

In the event that you don't have such flexible tape, there are myriad sites that allow you to download and print one for free. In addition to your tape, it also helps to have a friend nearby who can take your measurements.

Step 2: Measure Your Height

In our online sizing charts, you'll notice that most of our items range in size from Small to 3XL. One of the first ways to narrow down your size options is to measure your height.

While there are exceptions, the height-to-size breakdown that we follow is detailed below:

• Small: 5'6" to 5'7"
• Medium: 5'8" to 5'9"
• Large: 5'10" to 5'11"
• XL: 5'11" to 6'1"
• 2XL: 6'1" to 6'2"
• 3XL: 6'2"+

Take this measurement first to give you a more appropriate sizing window. One thing to note? Our listed measurements are of the actual sweatshirt. They are not bodily measurements.

Therefore, size up if you're in between sizes. Choosing a sweatshirt that's the exact same dimensions as your body will leave you with a fit that's too tight.

Step 3: Measure Your Chest Circumference

After measuring your height, your next step is to measure your chest circumference.

To get this measurement, wrap the measuring tape around your armpits. It should be positioned on the fullest part of your chest. The tape should feel snug enough to not slide down, but not so tight that it restricts your breathing.

As you measure, resist the urge to flex or puff out your chest. Doing so will only skew the measurements and could potentially leave you with a sweatshirt that's looser than it should be. When you're done, read the measurements and compare them to the ones on our sizing chart, which are as follows:

• Small: 46"
• Medium: 48"
• Large: 50"
• XL: 52"
• 2XL: 54"
• 3XL: 56"

Again, these are sweatshirt sizes and do not reflect bodily chest circumferences. Size up to give yourself plenty of breathing room.

Step 4: Measure Your Sleeve Length

Next, it's time to measure your sleeve length. Note that this is not always the same as your arm length.

Position your measuring tape at the center back of your neck, at your spine. From there, measure to the end of your shoulder (the top of your arm). Then, measure from that point on your shoulder to the point past your wrist where you'd like the shirt to fit.

To make sure you have enough length, bend your elbow a little while measuring. As with your chest measurement, choosing a shirt with sleeves the exact length of your arm will leave you wanting more. Your arms naturally bend a little, so you'll need to account for this in sizing.

Last, add those two measurements together to get your total sleeve length, rounding up if required. Our sleeve length sizing chart is as follows:

• Small: 33"
• Medium: 34"
• Large: 35"
• XL: 36"
• 2XL: 37"
• 3XL: 38"

Step 5: Measure Your Body Length

In terms of sweatshirt sizing, your body length is the distance from the seam of the shirt's neck to its bottom hem. You might also hear it called the shirt length.

To get these measurements, first position your measuring tape at the top of your shoulder, near the mid-side of your neck. Then, bring it down to where you'd like the shirt to stop. Our listed body lengths include:

• Small: 26"
• Medium: 27"
• Large: 28"
• XL: 29"
• 2XL: 30"
• 3XL: 31"

How Should It Fit?

Once you've written down all of your important measurements, you're ready to check out, right?

Before you do, you need to consider how you want the crewneck sweatshirt to fit. Normally, these are looser than dress shirts and even t-shirts. They're designed to be cozy and casual, not tight and restricting. As mentioned, go for a size up if you're on the fence.

While you're browsing and measuring, keep the following sizing suggestions in mind.

Collar

A great-fitting crewneck sweatshirt centers on the collar.

If it's too loose, you could appear unkempt while one that's too tight could be uncomfortably restrictive. Look for one that lies flat and allows you plenty of room to add a collared shirt underneath if you're feeling preppy.

Shoulder

Unless you're going for an ultra-relaxed look, the shoulder seam of your new sweatshirt should sit right on your shoulder bone.

If it's all the way down to your elbow, your shirt might look too big for your frame. Conversely, if the shoulder seam is way up near your neck, it could cause the seam to cut into your armpits.

Sleeves

Make sure that the cuffs of your sleeves reach all the way to your wrists. Most are designed to fit more snugly around your chest, with a looser and more relaxed fit on the sleeves.

A good way to ensure yours are long enough is to consider the length you'd need to cover your watch if you extended your arms in front of you. You should be able to bend your arms without shortening the sleeves.

Width

Your new sweatshirt should fit snugly around your hips to ensure your body area stays warm and covered. Yet, the fabric should billow more loosely around your chest.

Leave a few inches of wiggle room to give yourself plenty of space to move.

Length

Cropped tops aren't back in style. Keep your sweatshirt on-trend by making sure it reaches right below your hips. From the front, it should hit the mid-length of your zipper.

While you're shopping with your length in mind, remember that not all fabrics are the same. A thin, poor-quality sweatshirt could shrink in the wash while a premium-quality one could hold up for years.

Find Your New Favorite Crewneck Sweatshirt

There's never a wrong time to wear a crewneck sweatshirt. Dressed up or down, it's the ultimate go-to favorite that you'll return to again and again.

Before you buy, take your measurements and compare them to our online sizing chart. We know you'll love your new piece, and we want to make sure you're satisfied with the fit from the very beginning.

Browse our entire collection here to find your new favorite. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to contact us.