Build your chart from measurements taken on your own approved sample, add a plain fit note, and put most of a first order into M and L with lighter cover at the edges. A hoodie size chart for brands has to do more work than a T-shirt chart, because buyers are deciding how loose they want a garment that is often worn over other layers.
Our hoodies and sweatshirts come in adult sizes S to 3XL, and the minimum is 100 pieces per style with sizes mixed. This post covers the measurements to publish, how to describe fit, and how to split sizes.
The measurements that matter on a hoodie
Measure the garment flat, not the body. These are the measurements buyers actually use:
- Chest width. Side seam to side seam, one cm below the armhole.
- Body length. From the high point of the shoulder to the bottom of the hem rib.
- Sleeve length. From the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff. On drop-shoulder styles, say where you measured from.
- Hem width. Across the bottom rib, relaxed. This tells buyers how the hoodie sits at the hip.
- Hood height. From the shoulder seam at the neck to the top of the hood, useful for buyers who care how the hood frames the face.
Publish chest, length and sleeve at minimum. Hem width and hood height are extras that cut questions.
For zip hoodies, also note the zip length, since buyers sometimes compare it with a hoodie they already own. Round your numbers sensibly and use the same unit throughout. If you sell in a market that uses inches, give both units rather than leaving buyers to convert.
Describing fit
Numbers alone do not tell a buyer how a hoodie will look on them. A short fit note does.
| Style | Fit note you might use |
|---|---|
| Pullover hoodie | Regular fit, room for a T-shirt underneath |
| Zip hoodie | Regular fit, comfortable worn open or closed |
| Crewneck sweatshirt | Regular fit, clean through the body |
| Oversized fit | Dropped shoulder and roomy body; take your usual size for a loose look, or size down for a closer fit |
Write the note in your own brand voice, but keep the information clear. Many returns on hoodies come from buyers not realising a style is oversized, or ordering an oversized style one size up out of habit.
Size ratios for a first order
The right split depends on your audience. These starting points are written as pieces out of 100.
| Size | Pullover or zip, mixed audience | Oversized, mixed audience | College or event merchandise |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 12 | 16 | 14 |
| M | 28 | 32 | 30 |
| L | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| XL | 18 | 15 | 17 |
| 2XL | 8 | 5 | 6 |
| 3XL | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Oversized leans smaller because the cut already provides volume. Merchandise for colleges and events often sits close to a typical mixed split, but a pre-order or sign-up sheet is far more reliable when you can collect one. Ask your group for sizes before you order and you can match the split almost exactly.
Fabric and sizing
Fabric affects how a size feels. Cotton fleece has a brushed inside that adds a little bulk, so the same measurements can feel slightly snugger than in French terry. French terry is lighter and drapes more, so it can feel roomier at the same size. Our post on cotton fleece vs French terry covers the feel in more detail.
Wash the sample and measure it again. Your published chart should reflect the hoodie after a wash, because that is what buyers will be wearing.
Mistakes to avoid
- Copying a chart from another brand. Measurements belong to a specific pattern. Publish what you measure on your own sample.
- Ignoring the hem rib. Body length measured to the top of the rib instead of the bottom will look shorter than it is.
- Skipping the fit note on oversized styles. Without it, buyers order their usual size and are surprised by the volume.
- Spreading too evenly. Equal numbers across six sizes leaves M and L sold out and 3XL unsold.
- Leaving out larger sizes entirely. A few pieces of 2XL and 3XL keep listings complete.
Mixing styles, colours and sizes
The minimum applies per style. A pullover and an oversized fit each need 100 pieces, each with its own ratio. Within a style you can order more than one colour, and the colour split is confirmed at quotation. Different colours do not need identical size splits. Black often sells more evenly across sizes, while lighter colours can lean towards smaller sizes in some audiences.
Using sales data on reorders
After the first order, your own data replaces these estimates. Track sales by size and colour. On the reorder, move pieces from sizes that were left over to sizes that sold out, and keep every size in stock even if only in small numbers.
Choose a style from our white label hoodies and send us your planned quantity per size with the fabric and colours. We will confirm everything in the quotation, and if you are unsure about the split, tell us your audience and we can suggest one.