How to Pick the Right Size in Unisex Tees and Tops

Quick answer

Measure a shirt you already like across the chest, one inch below each armhole, and compare that number to the size chart instead of your body measurement. In unisex tees, order your usual chest size for a standard fit, size up once for an oversized tee fit, and size up twice only if you want a long, loose drape. For unisex hoodie sizing and sweaters, stay with your chest number because the thicker fabric already adds bulk.

Unisex sizing is not a mystery, but it is not the same as women's sizing either. A unisex tee is cut with a straighter side seam and a wider shoulder than most women's cuts, so the number on the tag can feel one size larger than expected. That is why two people with the same body measurements can need different sizes in the same shirt.

The fix is to stop shopping by label and start shopping by measurement. Once you know your chest width in a shirt that already fits the way you like, every unisex tee, sweater, and hoodie becomes predictable. The catalog facts below use real garments from the store to show how fabric, cut, and model height change the decision.

Measure a shirt, not your body

Lay a shirt you already wear flat on a bed. Measure straight across the chest, one inch below the armhole seam, from edge to edge. Double that number if you want the full circumference. Compare it to the size chart's chest measurement, not to your bare chest. A shirt that measures 20 inches across the chest fits a body with a 38 to 40 inch chest comfortably, because the fabric needs room to move.

If you are between two sizes on the chart, choose based on the fabric. A 100% cotton tee like the Slay the Princess - Unisex T-shirt has almost no stretch, so the larger size is safer for shoulders and chest. A cotton and polyester blend like the DOKI DOKI BLACK SWEATER has a bit more give, so the smaller size can work if you want a closer fit.

• Measure a favorite shirt flat, not on your body.
• Compare chest width first, then length, then sleeve seam.
• When between sizes, size up in 100% cotton and stay true in blends.

Unisex vs women's fit: what actually changes

Unisex vs women's fit comes down to three things: shoulder width, waist taper, and length. A unisex cut has a wider shoulder and a straighter body, so it hangs away from the waist instead of following it. A women's cut usually narrows at the waist and shortens the sleeve and body. If you normally wear a women's medium and want the same look in unisex, start with a unisex small and check the chest measurement.

The MONIKA T-SHIRT is a unisex 100% cotton tee shown on a model who is 5'7" and wearing size S. That gives you a real reference point: if you are near that height and want a standard fit, size S is the starting line. If you are taller or want the hem to sit lower, move up one size. The same logic applies to the UNDERSTANDING WHITE RINGER T-SHIRT, which uses a fine jersey cotton ringer cut with contrast trim at the neck and sleeves.

• Unisex runs wider in the shoulder and straighter at the waist.
• Women's cuts taper at the waist and run shorter in the body.
• Use model height and size as a free fit reference before ordering.

How to get an oversized tee fit without guessing

An oversized tee fit is not just one size up. It is a combination of chest room, shoulder drop, and hem length. If you size up once in a unisex tee, you usually get a relaxed fit with a slightly dropped shoulder. If you size up twice, the shoulder seam slides down the arm and the hem covers the hip. Both can look intentional, but the second option changes the silhouette more than most people expect.

For a controlled oversized look, pick a heavier fabric so the shirt drapes instead of clinging. The Slay the Princess - Unisex T-shirt uses 4.3 oz. combed ringspun cotton in Graphite Black, which holds a boxy shape better than a thin jersey. If you want the oversized look in a lighter tee, keep the size increase to one step and check the body length on the chart.

• One size up equals relaxed; two sizes up equals a true oversized drape.
• Heavier cotton holds an oversized shape better than thin jersey.
• Check body length before sizing up twice, or the hem may run too long.

Top sizing tips for sweaters and hoodies

Sweaters and hoodies add bulk that a t-shirt does not. A unisex 80% cotton, 20% polyester crewneck like the TRUST BLACK SWEATER is already roomy through the body, so your usual chest size usually works. The model shown is 6'1" wearing size XL, which tells you the cut runs long enough for taller frames. If you plan to layer a tee underneath, stay with your chest size rather than sizing down.

For unisex hoodie sizing, the same rule applies: match the chest measurement, not the letter. If you want a close fit under a jacket, take your true size. If you want to wear it over a sweater, size up once. Always check the care instructions before you commit, because heat is the enemy of fit. The DOKI DOKI BLACK SWEATER and TRUST BLACK SWEATER both call for machine wash cold inside-out, tumble dry low or hang dry, and no ironing.

• Match chest measurement in sweaters; the cut already adds room.
• Size up once only if you plan to layer underneath.
• Hang dry cotton blends to protect both print and fit.

Check the care label before you choose a size

Fit changes after the first wash if you dry on high heat. Cotton can shrink, and a shirt that fits perfectly out of the bag can turn into a size you avoid. The MONIKA T-SHIRT and the UNDERSTANDING WHITE RINGER T-SHIRT both instruct machine wash cold inside-out with like colors and tumble dry low or hang dry. Following that keeps the chest measurement stable, so the size you chose stays the size you wear.

This matters most for limited stock. The DOKI DOKI LITERATURE CLUB! and OMOCAT collaboration pieces are marked very limited quantity, available while supplies last, with one shirt per style, per person. If you are between sizes on a limited piece, order the size that matches your measured chest and plan to hang dry. Exchanges may not be possible once stock is gone.

• Wash cold inside-out and hang dry to prevent shrink.
• Limited stock means the first size choice is the one that counts.
• If between sizes on a limited drop, choose the larger chest measurement.

Decision rules for unisex tee and top sizing

• If you want a standard fit: Match your measured chest width to the size chart and ignore the letter on the tag. In a unisex 100% cotton tee like the MONIKA T-SHIRT, this usually means one size smaller than your women's size. Standard fit equals chest measurement, not label.
• If you want an oversized tee fit: Size up once for a relaxed drape, or twice for a true oversized look. Choose a heavier fabric such as 4.3 oz. combed ringspun cotton so the shirt holds its shape instead of clinging. One size up is relaxed; two sizes up changes the silhouette.
• If you are buying a sweater or hoodie: Stay with your usual chest size unless you plan to layer. The unisex 80% cotton, 20% polyester crewneck cut already adds room, and the TRUST BLACK SWEATER model at 6'1" in size XL shows the length works on taller frames. Match chest size; size up only for layering.
• If the piece is limited stock: Collaboration pieces like the DOKI DOKI BLACK SWEATER are one per style, per person, available while supplies last. Measure first, choose the size that matches your chest, and plan to hang dry to prevent shrinkage. On limited drops, get the size right the first time.

Catalog fit references

• MONIKA T-SHIRT: Unisex 100% cotton T-shirt, shown on a model who is 5'7" and wearing size S. Use this as a height and size anchor: if you are near 5'7" and want a standard fit, size S is a realistic starting point.
• Slay the Princess - Unisex T-shirt: 4.3 oz. 100% combed ringspun cotton in Graphite Black, with international orders sent DDU and potential VAT or import charges. The heavier combed cotton holds a boxy, oversized shape well, and international buyers should budget for duties on top of the shirt price.
• TRUST BLACK SWEATER: Unisex 80% cotton, 20% polyester crewneck, shown on a model who is 6'1" wearing size XL, with care instructions to machine wash cold inside-out, tumble dry low or hang dry, and do not iron. The taller model reference shows the length works for taller frames, and the no-iron rule protects the printed design while hang drying protects the fit.
• DOKI DOKI BLACK SWEATER: Unisex 80% cotton, 20% polyester crewneck, shown on a model who is 5'7" wearing size S, marked very limited quantity with one shirt per style, per person. The smaller model reference helps shorter buyers choose a size, and the one-per-person limit means you should confirm your measurement before ordering.

Who this sizing approach fits

Best for

• Shoppers ordering a unisex tee for the first time and unsure how the cut compares to women's sizing
• Anyone between two sizes who wants a repeatable way to decide before checkout
• Buyers who want a relaxed or oversized look and need to know how many sizes to move up

Not for

• Shoppers who want a tailored, waist-following women's cut, since unisex tees are cut straight through the body
• Buyers who refuse to measure a shirt at home and prefer to guess from the tag alone
• Anyone expecting exact measurements for a product whose chart is not published, since the catalog does not list full numeric measurements for every item

Unisex t-shirt sizing gets simple once you measure a shirt you already own and compare that number to the chart. Match chest width for a standard fit, size up once for relaxed, and size up twice only when you want a deliberate oversized drape. Check the care label, hang dry cotton pieces, and treat limited drops like the DOKI DOKI and OMOCAT collaboration as a one-shot decision. Measure once, order once, and the fit stops being a gamble.