Nothing spoils a new kit faster than shirts that do not fit. When you order custom team uniforms, you are usually sizing twenty, fifty or a few hundred people at once, from young children to adult players. This guide shows a simple, reliable way to collect sizes for the whole team.
Pick one size chart and stick to it
The biggest source of sizing errors is mixing charts. US and European sizes are not the same: a US “Youth Large”, a European “152” and an adult “Small” can all be close to each other, and a European “M” is often cut differently from a US “M”. Choose one chart for the whole order, share it with everyone and ask them to size from it only.
At Stitch Next we can work to US charts, European charts or your own measurements, from youth XS up to adult 5XL, so the youngest players and the biggest adults can wear the same design.
Measure a garment, not the player
Asking people to measure their own chest is unreliable. A better method is to ask each player to lay a shirt that fits them well flat on a table and measure:
- Chest width: straight across, one inch (2-3 cm) below the armpits.
- Body length: from the highest point of the shoulder down to the hem.
- For shorts and trousers: waist width relaxed, and the outside leg length.
Compare those numbers with the chart and pick the closest size. This takes a minute and removes most of the guesswork.
Youth sizes: size for the whole season
Children grow during a season. If a child is between two sizes, choose the larger one. For academies with many age groups, it helps to order a few spare shirts in the most common sizes for players who join later.
Fit differs by sport
Different sports expect different fits. Basketball jerseys and shorts are usually worn loose; rugby shirts are cut close so they are harder to grab; cycling jerseys are close-fitting; football shirts sit in between. Tell us the fit your team prefers and we will cut to it.
Collect sizes in one sheet
Use a single spreadsheet with columns for name as printed, number, shirt size, shorts size and any other item. One person should check it for mistakes before it is sent. Watch for duplicate numbers and misspelled names, because these are printed exactly as supplied.
Check the sample before the bulk order
The safest step of all is a sample. After you approve the mock-up, we make a free sample of your own design (you only cover the shipping). Try it on a few players of different builds and adjust the size list if needed before bulk production starts.
Need help?
Send us your size list or your own measurement chart and we will check it with you. Request a quote or read more answers in our FAQ.