How long should a men's T-shirt be?

A men's T-shirt should end around the middle of your fly: long enough to cover your belt by a few centimetres when you stand, and to stay over your waistband when you raise your arms, but not so long that it reaches the bottom of your zip. For most men that means a body length of roughly 75–80 cm in size M or L, measured flat from the top of the shoulder to the hem. Taller men and men with a long torso usually need 3–6 cm more than a standard T-shirt gives them.

I'm Lucas Hillen, founder of LEBASQ, a Dutch men's basics brand from Amsterdam (the name is a play on the French "le basique"; we have nothing to do with the painter Henri Lebasque). After more than fifteen years working with T-shirts, length is the complaint I hear most often. Not colour, not fabric: length. So here is how to get it right.

The quick test: where should the hem fall?

Put on a T-shirt, stand in front of a mirror with your arms relaxed and look at the hem.

• Too short: the hem sits on or above your belt, and you see skin or underwear the moment you reach for something or sit down.
• Right: the hem covers the belt by a few centimetres and ends roughly halfway down the fly. Raise both arms: the shirt should still cover your waistband.
• Too long: the hem reaches the bottom of your zip or starts to cover your seat. The T-shirt then looks like a dress, especially in a Regular Fit, and your legs look shorter.

Sitting is the second test. If the back of the shirt rides up and exposes your lower back when you sit at a desk or on a bike, the body is too short for you, even if it looks fine standing.

How to measure T-shirt length

Brands measure body length in a fairly standard way: lay the T-shirt flat and measure in a straight line from the highest point of the shoulder (where the shoulder seam meets the collar) down to the hem. Take the T-shirt in your wardrobe that fits you best, measure it like that, and you have your target number. Compare it with the size chart before you buy: the length of a "large" varies a lot between brands.

Check the width at the same time: measure straight across the chest, about 2–3 cm below the armpits. Length and width together tell you how a T-shirt will actually look on you.

Why most T-shirts end up too short

Most T-shirts are graded from a middle size. When the size goes up, the shirt gets wider much faster than it gets longer. If you are tall and slim, you end up choosing between a shirt that fits your shoulders and is too short, or a shirt that is long enough and far too wide. On top of that, cotton can shrink a little in length after the first washes, so a T-shirt that is just long enough in the shop can be just too short a month later. Pre-shrunk fabric limits that.

Long Fit vs Regular Fit: the actual numbers

This is exactly why we developed our Long Fit. It has the same width and the same sleeves as our Regular Fit, but a body that is 3–6 cm longer. So you get the extra length without the extra fabric around your waist.

• Long Fit body length (flat): M 78 cm, L 80 cm, XL 82 cm, XXL 84 cm, 3XL 85 cm.
• Regular Fit body length: 75–79 cm across the size range.
• Width (both fits): from 53 cm in M to 64 cm in 3XL.

You can find the Long Fit in Steve's Crew (100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, 190 g/m²) and its V-neck sibling James' V-Neck, and as an option in Miles's Crew and Davis' V-Neck (95% cotton, 5% elastane, 180 g/m²), which also come in Regular Fit.

Who needs a longer T-shirt?

• Tall men, roughly from 1.85 m, and men with a long upper body regardless of height.
• Men who wear their T-shirt under a shirt and want it to stay tucked in all day. Every centimetre helps.
• Cyclists and men with active days: leaning forward is where a short body shows first.

When a standard length is better

Longer is not always better. If you are of average height or shorter, or you have shorter legs relative to your torso, a Regular Fit usually looks cleaner, because a long hem shortens the leg line. The same goes for T-shirts you want to wear with high-rise trousers or tucked loosely in the front. A regular-length tee like The Baker (organic cotton, Regular Fit) works well untucked at its natural length.

Length under a sweater or shirt

Under a knit, the T-shirt should be the same length as the sweater or a little longer. A centimetre or two of T-shirt showing at the hem looks intentional; a T-shirt that ends above the sweater's rib means you will be pulling it down all day. Under a shirt that you tuck in, length is all that matters: the shirt needs enough body to stay inside your trousers when you sit and stand up again, which is why I wear a Long Fit as an undershirt myself.

My advice

Measure the T-shirt you like best, compare it with the numbers above or with our size guide, and choose length first, width second. If a T-shirt is too short, no fabric or price will make up for it. And if it does not work out, you can return it within 30 days, free of charge from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

FAQ

How long should a men's T-shirt be?

The hem should cover your belt by a few centimetres and end around the middle of your fly. In practice that is a body length of about 75–80 cm for most men in size M or L, and more if you are tall.

How do I know if my T-shirt is too short?

Raise your arms or sit down. If your waistband or lower back becomes visible, the body is too short for your torso.

What is the difference between Long Fit and Regular Fit at LEBASQ?

Long Fit has the same width and sleeves as Regular Fit, with a body that is 3–6 cm longer. In size L, for example, the Long Fit body measures 80 cm flat.

Do T-shirts get shorter after washing?

Cotton can shrink a little in length, mainly in the first washes. Choose pre-shrunk fabric, wash at 30–40 °C and avoid the tumble dryer to keep the length you bought.