A good shirt has two jobs. It has to fit the way you like, and the print has to still be readable after a season of riding, washing and wearing it to breakfast. Get either one wrong and the shirt ends up in the back of the drawer.
This guide covers both: how to choose the right T-shirt size when you're ordering online, and how to wash a printed shirt so the design lasts. No guesswork, no tape measure tricks — just a flat table and a few minutes.
Why online T-shirt sizes are confusing
A "large" from one brand isn't a "large" from another. Some cuts run slim, some run boxy, and some shrink a full size after the first hot wash. If you've ever bought two shirts in the same size and found one tight and one loose, that's why.
The only reliable way around it is to stop trusting the letter on the tag and start trusting a measurement.
Step 1: Find the shirt you already like
Go to the drawer and pull out the T-shirt you reach for most. Not the one you got free at an event — the one that fits the way you want a shirt to fit. That shirt is your measuring stick.
Step 2: Measure it flat
Lay the shirt flat on a table or bed, front side up, and smooth out the wrinkles. Then take two numbers:
- Body width: straight across the chest, from the seam under one armpit to the seam under the other.
- Body length: from the highest point of the shoulder, right next to the collar, straight down to the bottom hem.
Write both down. Inches or centimeters both work.
Step 3: Match it to the size chart
Compare your two numbers with the chart on our Size Guide. Our tees come in S through 3XL. Width matters most for comfort, so match that first, then check that the length works for you.
A few rules of thumb:
- Our tees are a classic fit — a regular cut, not slim and not oversized.
- If you like a roomier shirt, go up one size.
- If you're between two sizes, choose the larger one.
- If you'll wear it over a layer or under a riding jacket, measure the shirt you'd normally wear that way.
Buying a shirt as a gift
Sizing a gift is where most shirt orders go wrong. A few ways to get it right without spoiling the surprise:
- Borrow one of his T-shirts from the laundry pile for five minutes and measure it.
- Ask someone who does his laundry what size he buys.
- Check the tag on a shirt he wears often, then confirm with our chart.
- When in doubt, size up. A slightly loose shirt gets worn; a tight one doesn't.
Looking for gift ideas? See Gifts for Riders.
If the size still misses
It happens. If the fit isn't right, email us within 30 days of delivery with your order number and the size you need. We'll send a new shirt in that size once, free of charge. One free size exchange per item. Because every shirt is printed to order, we can't take returns for a change of mind — which is why we'd rather help you get the size right before you order. Full details are in our Refund Policy.
Not sure which size to pick? Email support@graythrottle.com with the two measurements from your favorite shirt and we'll tell you.
How to make the print last
The design is the whole point of a shirt like ours. A line that reads clearly across a parking lot needs to stay sharp. The good news: keeping a printed T-shirt looking new takes about thirty extra seconds per wash.
Wash cold
Heat is hard on printed designs. Washing in cold water is gentler on the print and on the shirt.
Turn it inside out
Before it goes in the machine, turn the shirt inside out. That way the printed side isn't rubbing against zippers, jeans and everything else in the load. It is one of the simplest ways to keep a print sharp.
Hang it to dry
Hang the shirt or lay it flat to dry instead of putting it in the dryer. It takes longer, but the print stays sharp a lot longer.
A few more habits that help
These are general good practice for most printed shirts:
- Skip the bleach.
- Don't iron directly on the design. If the shirt needs ironing, do it inside out.
- Wash with similar colors, especially for darker shirts.
- Don't leave it balled up wet in the washer or in a saddlebag after a rainy ride. Hang it as soon as you can.
A quick reference
| Do | Skip |
|---|---|
| Measure a shirt you already like | Guessing from the letter on the tag |
| Size up if you're between sizes | Ordering tight and hoping |
| Wash cold, inside out | Hot water with the printed side out |
| Hang dry | The dryer |
What if the print arrives wrong?
Care habits keep a good print good. They can't fix one that came out wrong in the first place. If your shirt arrives misprinted, damaged or isn't what you ordered, email us within 30 days of delivery with a photo. We'll reprint it or refund you, and you don't need to send the shirt back.
Ready to order?
With two numbers in hand and a cold wash ahead, you're set. Browse Still At It for shirts written by riders who are still riding, or see the full lineup in All Shirts. Every shirt is printed to order: production takes 2–5 business days, then delivery inside the US takes 3–7 business days. We ship to US addresses only.
More questions? Our FAQ covers the common ones.