Buying a T-shirt online should be simple, but sizing language can make it sound more complicated than it needs to be. One of the questions we get most often is: what does unisex fit actually mean?
At Galaxy Tees, our main adult T-shirt range is positioned as unisex. That means the same garment is designed to work for a wide range of adult customers rather than being split into separate men's and women's versions. It also means that choosing the right size is more about your measurements and the fit you prefer than the label on the product.
What is a unisex T-shirt?
A unisex T-shirt is generally cut in a straightforward adult shape with a crew neck and a regular body. It is not shaped heavily at the waist, and it is intended to be worn by adults of different body types.
For some people, that means the fit will feel similar to a traditional men's T-shirt. For others, particularly anyone used to a fitted women's tee, it can feel a little roomier through the body. Neither is right or wrong - the important thing is choosing the size that gives you the look and comfort you want.
Start with the way you like your T-shirts to fit
Before looking at a size label, decide whether you normally prefer a closer fit or a more relaxed one.
- Closer fit: choose the size that most closely matches your measurements.
- Regular fit: use the size guide and allow a little room for movement.
- Relaxed or oversized feel: consider going up one size.
If you are between two sizes, choosing the larger one is usually the safer option for a printed casual T-shirt. It gives you a little more room across the chest and stomach and reduces the chance of the print feeling stretched when worn.
Measure the part that actually matters
For most adults, the most useful measurement is around the fullest part of the chest. If your stomach measurement is larger than your chest, use the larger measurement when deciding which size to order.
Use a soft tape measure and keep it level around the body. Do not pull it tight. You want a realistic measurement of how the T-shirt needs to sit when you are moving, not a number squeezed as small as possible.
It can also help to compare the size guide with a T-shirt you already own and like. Lay that shirt flat, measure it, and compare it with the measurements shown on the Galaxy Tees size guide.
Galaxy Tees adult sizing
Our main adult T-shirt range runs from S through to 6XL across the current unisex catalogue. The exact available colours and sizes are shown on each product page.
Every product page includes an adult size guide. We recommend checking it before ordering, even if you normally buy the same size elsewhere. Different brands can use the same size label for slightly different measurements, so the chart is more useful than simply assuming that every XL or 2XL is identical.
You can browse the full Unisex T-Shirts collection or, if you are shopping for a child, use the separate Kids T-Shirts range with its own age-based sizing.
What if you are buying a T-shirt as a gift?
If you cannot measure the person directly, look at the size they usually wear in casual T-shirts rather than fitted shirts or jackets. If you are still unsure, slightly roomy is normally more forgiving than slightly tight.
This is especially useful for birthday and personalised gifts, where you want the recipient to be able to wear the shirt straight away. If you are ordering one of our Personalised Gifts, check the size before entering the custom details so the whole order can be placed correctly first time.
Remember that print placement changes visually with size
The artwork stays proportionate to the garment, but a design will naturally look a little different on an S compared with a 5XL. That is normal. The goal is for the print to look balanced on the shirt rather than forcing exactly the same apparent scale across every body size.
How to care for the T-shirt once it arrives
Once you have the right size, a few simple care steps help keep the print looking good:
- Wash the T-shirt inside out.
- Wash at 30°C.
- Do not iron directly over the printed design.
Those simple habits reduce unnecessary wear on the print and help the shirt stay looking its best.
The easiest sizing rule
If you only remember one thing, make it this: ignore the gender label and use the measurements. A unisex T-shirt is simply an adult T-shirt designed to work across different body types. Check the size guide, use the larger of your chest or stomach measurement if needed, and choose the fit you actually enjoy wearing.
Common unisex sizing mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is ordering purely from the letter on an old T-shirt. An XL from one brand can fit differently from an XL from another, so use the current product size guide rather than relying on habit alone.
Another mistake is measuring only the chest when the stomach is the fuller measurement. A T-shirt has to pass comfortably over the whole torso, so use whichever measurement needs the most room. Finally, remember that cotton garments are casual clothing rather than tailored shirts: a little ease usually looks and feels better than a design stretched tightly across the body.
Ready to browse? Start with our Unisex T-Shirts or explore Personalised Gifts if you are shopping for something made specially for someone.