Wholesale Apparel Sizing Guide: XS to 5XL

Wholesale apparel sizing guide cover graphic, XS to 5XL

A wrong size mix kills margins faster than a bad print. Overstocked sizes sit as dead inventory. Understocked sizes mean lost sales. For B2B buyers sourcing blank hoodies, tees, and fleece for decoration and resale, a clear understanding of sizing standards, measurement methodology, and ordering ratios is essential to keeping margins intact and reorders predictable.

Below: exact measurements for every size, how fit categories shift those numbers, and the order ratios that keep inventory lean.

Three Layer’s Size Range: XS to 5XL

Three Layer Sportswear reaches XS through 5XL at its widest, and the exact span depends on the style. The 5108 Premium Pullover Hoodie and the P280 Midweight Pullover Hoodie run the full XS through 5XL range. The 5109 Premium Full Zip Hoodie and the 8801 Fleece Jogger run XS through 3XL. The remaining core styles, including the 15001 Heavyweight Urban Pullover, the CR280 Crewneck and the 1003 and 1005 tees, run S through 3XL. Knowing which style covers which range lets your brand serve every customer segment without sourcing from multiple suppliers.

Extended sizes (3XL through 5XL) are produced on the same production lines in Pakistan, using the same fabric and construction standards as core sizes.

Hoodie Measurement Reference Table

All measurements are in inches, taken flat (not doubled). Chest width is measured 1 inch below the armhole seam. Body length is measured from the highest point of the shoulder to the bottom hem. Sleeve length is measured from the center back neck to the cuff.

Size Chest Width Body Length Sleeve Length
XS 19.5″ 26″ 32″
S 20.5″ 27″ 33″
M 22″ 28″ 34″
L 24″ 29″ 35″
XL 26″ 30″ 36″
2XL 28″ 31″ 36.5″
3XL 30″ 32″ 37″
4XL 32″ 33″ 37.5″
5XL 34″ 34″ 38″

T-Shirt Measurement Reference Table

Size Chest Width Body Length
S 18″ 27″
M 20″ 28″
L 22″ 29″
XL 24″ 30″
2XL 26″ 31″
3XL 28″ 32″

How Sizing Varies by Fit: Regular vs. Oversized

Regular Fit

Regular-fit garments typically include moderate ease at the chest, meaning 3 to 4 inches of room beyond the actual body measurement, though the exact amount varies by style. This is the safest baseline for brands selling to a general audience. A regular-fit Large hoodie typically has a 24″ chest width (48″ full circumference), suitable for a 40-44″ actual chest measurement.

Oversized / Boxy Fit

Oversized blanks add 2-4 extra inches of ease beyond regular fit, with a dropped shoulder and shorter body-to-width ratio that creates the “boxy” silhouette. When ordering oversized styles, recommend that buyers review garment measurements and compare them to their preferred fit rather than relying on a universal size-down rule.

Sizing Implications for Decoration

Fit affects print and embroidery placement. On oversized garments, a standard left-chest logo that looks proportional on a regular-fit blank can appear undersized and too high. Consider increasing design dimensions by 10-15% on oversized blanks, and lowering the placement by 1-2 inches.

Size Ratio Ordering Recommendations

Size mix depends on your end market. These common starting ratios can serve as a baseline:

Standard Bell Curve Ratio (General Market)

S M L XL 2XL 3XL
1 2 3 3 2 1

This 1-2-3-3-2-1 ratio works for most general-market brands. In a 12-unit pack, you would order 1 S, 2 M, 3 L, 3 XL, 2 2XL, 1 3XL. The curve centers on L/XL, which tracks with average adult sizing in the US market.

Streetwear / Youth Skew

S M L XL 2XL
2 3 3 2 1

Streetwear brands with a younger demographic (18-30) typically see higher demand in S and M. If your brand sells oversized fits, this skew shifts even further left, with M and L becoming the peak sizes as customers intentionally size down.

Corporate / Promotional Skew

S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL
1 2 3 3 3 2 1

Corporate orders tend to skew larger because the audience spans all body types and age groups. Extend your ratio through 4XL and weight the curve toward XL/2XL. Running out of larger sizes on a corporate order damages repeat business.

The Plus-Size Market Opportunity

The plus-size apparel market (3XL and above) is underserved and high-margin in wholesale. Demand for extended sizes (3XL and above) is significant and growing, yet many wholesale suppliers cap their range at 2XL or charge significant upcharges.

Why You Should Stock 3XL-5XL

  • Underserved demand. Customers in extended sizes have fewer options and are often more brand-loyal when they find a supplier that consistently stocks their size.
  • Higher margins. Extended sizes often carry higher costs and may support higher selling prices, but buyers should confirm current pricing and margin structure by style.
  • Corporate and team orders require it. Any B2B decorator serving corporate clients, sports teams, or event organizers needs extended sizes. Failing to stock them means losing entire orders, not just the extended-size portion.
  • Broader market capture. Brands that offer XS-5XL capture orders that competitors turn away and position themselves as the go-to supplier for decorators who serve diverse audiences.

Three Layer’s extended sizing on the 5108 and P280, together with S through 3XL coverage across the rest of the line, means you can stock a broad range from a single supplier without quality or consistency compromises.

Youth Sizing: Y300 and Y5501

Three Layer also offers youth-sized blanks for brands and decorators serving the kids’ market, school programs, and team uniforms:

  • Y300 Youth Pullover Hoodie: Available in youth sizes YS through YXL. Proportioned for youth (approximate ages 6-14), not simply scaled-down adult garments. Shorter body length, narrower shoulders, and adjusted sleeve length for age-appropriate fit.
  • Y5501 Youth Fleece Jogger: Available in youth sizes YS through YXL. Same three-layer fleece construction and quality standards as the adult 8801 Fleece Jogger, sized for younger wearers. Features the same tear-away labels for private labeling.

Youth Size Reference

Youth Size Age Range Chest Width (Tee) Body Length (Tee)
YS 6-8 15″ 21″
YM 8-10 16.5″ 23″
YL 10-12 18″ 25″
YXL 12-14 19″ 27″

Tips for Helping End Customers Choose the Right Size

If your B2B clients sell direct to consumers, help them reduce returns by implementing these sizing best practices on their storefronts:

  • Publish a size chart with actual garment measurements not generic S/M/L descriptions. Include chest width, body length, and sleeve length.
  • Provide a “How to Measure” graphic showing customers where to measure their body or a favorite garment for comparison.
  • Include model measurements. “Model is 6’0″, 180 lbs, wearing size L” gives customers an immediate visual reference.
  • Note the fit type. Clearly state whether the garment is regular fit or oversized, and recommend sizing down for oversized styles.
  • Offer size exchange policies. Recommend that your clients offer size exchanges. An easy exchange policy reduces hesitation for first-time buyers in the 3XL-5XL range who have not handled the garment yet.

Order Smarter with Three Layer

Ordering at a glance: there is no minimum order on standard stock colors. Custom colors require 600 pieces per color and a lead time of about 120 days. Orders of $200 or more on listed wholesale prices ship free. Samples are available on request once you open a wholesale account, and the sample cost is credited back on your first bulk order.

Three Layer Sportswear’s XS-5XL range covers adult and youth styles from a single supplier, with consistent sizing across production runs. Samples are available across the full size range. Verify measurements against your customer data before placing a bulk order. Browse the full wholesale blanks shop to see current styles and sizes in stock.

Wholesale blank apparel, designed in Los Angeles

Three Layer Sportswear supplies blank, undecorated apparel to screen printers, clothing brands, and merch companies. In stock blanks ship with no minimum order. Orders placed by 12pm PT ship the same day, with 1 to 2 day delivery across Southern California and same day pickup at our Los Angeles warehouse. Custom and private label production runs about 120 days.

Pricing is wholesale and customer specific. See live inventory and your pricing inside the NuOrder portal after logging in. For wholesale access, contact sales@threelayer.com.

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