Men’s XS t-shirts: fit, length, fabrics

How a t-shirt in your size should fit

Shoulders and neckline

As with a shirt, the shoulder seam should land on the shoulder bone. A crew neck should lie flat against the base of your neck: if it opens up or ripples, the tee is too big or its rib is too soft. A tight rib collar, taped at the back, lasts longer.

Sleeves

Sleeves end mid-bicep and skim it without compressing. A sleeve that is too long or too wide is the most visible sign of a t-shirt designed for the size above.

Length

Worn untucked, the hem covers your belt and ends around the middle of the fly. Small sizes are often proportionally too long: compare the back length in the retailer’s chart with a t-shirt you like, measured flat from the base of the collar to the hem.

Slim, regular or boxy

• Slim: fitted at the chest and sleeves. The obvious choice in XS if you like a clean look.
• Regular: a little room everywhere. In XS it often sits well on a slim frame, as long as the shoulders are right.
• Boxy: deliberately wide and short, with dropped shoulders. It is meant to look roomy: take your usual size, not one up, and favour cropped versions to keep balanced proportions.

Fabric weight and materials

Fabric weight, in grams per square metre, tells you how thick the jersey is. Under 150 g/m², it is light and sometimes see-through; between 180 and 220 g/m², it drapes better and holds its shape; above 240 g/m², it is a heavyweight tee, more structured, with a streetwear feel.

• Combed or organic cotton: soft and durable, the safe bet.
• Cotton with a little elastane: for close-fitting cuts.
• Fine merino: temperature-regulating and odour-resistant, pricier but very durable.

Cotton that is not pre-shrunk can lose up to half a size at the first wash; the product page often says so. Wash at 30 °C and skip the tumble dryer to keep the original size.

XXS, XS, S: find the matching chest measurements in the men’s size guide.