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Comfort Colors Size & Fit Guide

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Imri Merritt

Comfort Colors has built its reputation on that perfect broken-in feel—soft, relaxed, and effortlessly cool. But here's the thing: their sizing reflects that same laid-back philosophy. These aren't your typical fitted tees.

Whether you're ordering custom t-shirts for your team, sweatshirts for a college event, or hoodies for your brand's merch drop, understanding how Comfort Colors fits can make the difference between nailing the perfect order and dealing with exchanges.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know: how their garment-dyed process affects sizing, what "relaxed fit" actually means, and practical tips for choosing sizes whether you're ordering one shirt or a thousand. Let's make sure your Comfort Colors order fits exactly how you want it.

How Comfort Colors Shirts Fit

Comfort Colors apparel is built around one core philosophy: comfort over everything. That means a relaxed, unisex fit that's roomier than most fashion brands but not sloppy or oversized.

The signature look features drop shoulders, looser sleeves, and extra room through the chest and torso. Think of it as the difference between a slim-fit dress shirt and your favorite weekend tee—Comfort Colors lands firmly in weekend territory. The cut flatters different body types without clinging or restricting movement.

What sets them apart is the garment-dyed process. Since the late 1970s, Comfort Colors has dyed finished shirts rather than fabric, creating that instantly soft, vintage feel. The result is shirts that feel broken-in from day one, with none of the stiffness you'd expect from new cotton.

Comfort Colors Fit Categories

Classic Fit (Youth)

Designed for kids who need room to move and grow. Casual and easygoing through the body and sleeves, perfect for active days or layering. Parents appreciate the forgiving cut that accommodates growth spurts.

Relaxed Fit (Adults)

The signature Comfort Colors experience. Noticeably looser than standard tees with extra room in shoulders, chest, and sleeves. Drapes comfortably without clinging—ideal for anyone prioritizing comfort and that effortless, laid-back vibe.

Boxy Fit (Women's)

A modern, slightly shorter cut that's wider through the body without being oversized. Offers freedom of movement with a contemporary silhouette that pairs well with high-waisted bottoms or works as a statement piece.

Comfort Colors Size Chart

Below is the current 2025 Comfort Colors sizing chart. You can download the PDF here.

The Comfort Colors sizing chart breaks down measurements by style number and product type. Find your style (like 1717 for the classic heavyweight tee), then look at the size columns from XXS to 4XL. Each size shows two numbers: chest width (measured flat, armpit to armpit) and body length (from shoulder to hem).

Comfort Colors runs generous and relaxed across all sizes, with consistent increases in both width and length as you size up. A Large in style 1717 measures 22" wide by 29⅜" long, while a 2XL is 26" wide by 31⅝" long. The sizing stays stable and consistent across their core lines, making it easy to choose based on your own preferred fit.

For the most accurate fit, measure a shirt you already own and love. Lay it flat without wrinkles, measure straight across the chest about an inch below the armholes, then measure length from the highest shoulder point down to the hem. Compare these measurements directly to the size chart.

How Comfort Colors Fit Feels (Real-World Insights)

Our product specialists and customers consistently describe the same thing: Comfort Colors feels different from other brands. The 6.1-ounce heavyweight cotton has substantial heft without being bulky, and that garment-dyed finish creates an instantly soft hand feel that mimics your favorite vintage tee.

  • The Comfort Factor: Right out of the package, there's no stiff, scratchy new-shirt sensation. The fabric drapes naturally without clinging to your body, giving you that unrestricted feeling whether you're working, lounging, or layering. Customers often mention how the extra room in the shoulders and sleeves never feels baggy—just comfortable and easy. Even something normally more fitted like a quarter-zip has a relaxed, lived-in feel.
  • Why People Keep Coming Back: The heavyweight construction means these shirts hold their shape wash after wash, while the garment-dye process ensures the softness actually improves over time. Event planners love them because they photograph well and feel premium in hand. College bookstores stock them because students genuinely want to wear them beyond freshman orientation. Brand owners choose them because the quality justifies the price point.

Versatile Sizing Philosophy: Want that on-trend oversized look? Size up for extra slouch. Prefer something closer to fitted? Size down—the relaxed cut won't suddenly become tight. This flexibility makes group orders easier since the forgiving fit works for different body types and style preferences without looking like everyone's wearing the wrong size.

Shrinkage and Garment-Dye Considerations

Comfort Colors shirts are pre-shrunk during the garment-dyeing process, which significantly reduces the likelihood of major shrinkage compared to untreated cotton blanks. However, expect about 2-3% shrinkage if you use high heat in the wash or dryer. The garment-dye process actually helps stabilize the fabric, so these shirts typically maintain their sizing and shape better than standard cotton tees over time.

Care Instructions

Wash in cold water and dry on low heat or hang dry to preserve both fit and color vibrancy. The ring-spun cotton construction and quality dyeing methods mean your shirts will maintain their softness and shape through dozens of washes. Skip the high heat—it's the quickest way to turn a perfect-fitting shirt into something that's suddenly too small.

Sizing Recommendations

  • Getting your measurements right: Grab a favorite shirt, lay it flat, and measure chest width (armpit to armpit) and body length (shoulder to hem). Compare these numbers directly to the Comfort Colors size chart for your target style. This beats guessing every time.
  • Standard unisex approach: Your usual size delivers the signature relaxed fit without excess fabric. Want something closer to your body? Size down—the generous cut won't suddenly become restrictive. Looking for that oversized streetwear vibe? Size up for extra slouch through the shoulders and sleeves.
  • Women's sizing strategy: The dedicated women's boxy cut runs shorter in length, so sizing up gives you that coveted oversized look without the shirt extending far below your waist. For unisex styles, going up one or two sizes creates the boyfriend tee effect while maintaining proportional sleeves and shoulders.
  • Group order success: The forgiving unisex fit simplifies bulk orders since it flatters various body types without micro-managing individual preferences. Remind your group that Comfort Colors runs larger than fitted fashion brands, so those wanting a closer fit should consider sizing down, while anyone preferring loose and comfortable can stick with their normal size.

Get the Perfect Fit Every Time

Comfort Colors sizing is refreshingly straightforward—generous, comfortable, and forgiving. The relaxed fit philosophy means you can focus on color and style choices instead of wrestling with complicated size conversions or worrying about returns.

Use the size chart, measure a shirt you love, and remember that Comfort Colors errs on the side of comfort. Whether you're ordering five shirts for your startup or 500 for a festival, the consistent sizing makes group orders simple. You can also learn more at our complete guide to Custom Colors shirts.

Ready to create custom Comfort Colors apparel that fits just right? RushOrderTees specializes in decorating Comfort Colors products with screen printing, embroidery, and DTF transfers. Our team knows these garments inside and out—contact us for sizing guidance or to start your custom order.

Imri Merritt

About the Author

A graduate of the Multimedia program at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Imri Merritt is an industry veteran with over 20 years of graphic design and color separations experience in the screen printing industry.