Comfort Colors 1717 Size Guide

Comfort Colors 1717 runs true to size, but it is cut fuller and a little longer than a standard retail tee. If you want the classic relaxed look, order your normal size. If you want the oversized look, go one size up. It is a heavyweight 6.1 oz garment-dyed tee, so it feels substantial from the first wear and softer after every wash.

Every Christian T-shirt we print at She Wears Faith uses this blank, so this guide applies to our whole range.

Quick Answer: Which Size Should You Order?

Comfort Colors 1717 Size Chart

All measurements are in inches and taken on the garment laid flat. Width is measured across the chest one inch below the armhole. Length is measured from the highest point of the shoulder down to the hem. Because width is a flat measurement, double it to get the full chest circumference of the shirt.

Every design we make is offered in all six sizes, S through 3XL. There is nothing to check for and nothing that sells out of a size, because each shirt is printed for you after you order.

How to Find Your Size Without Guessing

The most reliable method costs nothing and takes two minutes. Do not measure your body. Measure a shirt you already own and like the fit of.

1. Take a T-shirt you already wear and love, and lay it flat on a table. Smooth out the wrinkles.
2. Measure straight across the chest, about an inch below where the sleeve meets the body. That number is the width.
3. Measure from the highest point of the shoulder seam straight down to the bottom hem. That number is the length.
4. Find the closest match in the chart above. If you land between two sizes, take the larger one. The 1717 is meant to be roomy.

Does the Comfort Colors 1717 Shrink?

It is pre-shrunk, so it is not going to change dramatically. What you can expect is a small amount of shrinkage in the length after the first hot wash or a hot tumble dry, which is normal for heavyweight 100% cotton. The width tends to hold.

If you want to keep the length exactly as it arrived, wash it cold and either hang it to dry or tumble dry on low. That is the whole trick.

One note specific to garment-dyed shirts: the dye is applied after the shirt is sewn, which is what gives the 1717 its soft, lived-in character. It also means the first wash can release a little excess dye. Wash it separately or with similar shades the first time, and you will not have a problem after that.

Should You Size Up?

This is the single most common question we get, and the honest answer is that it depends on the look you are after rather than on the shirt running small.

• Size up if you want the oversized, slightly slouchy look, you like sleeves that sit lower on the arm, or you plan to wear it over leggings as a longer top.
• Stay with your usual size if you want a normal relaxed tee, you plan to tuck or knot the front, or you are layering it under something.
• Consider sizing down if you are between sizes and prefer a closer fit. Just know that even a size down, this is not a fitted tee.

Because the 1717 is a unisex cut, it is straighter through the waist than a shirt cut specifically for women. Most women find their usual size works and simply reads a bit roomier than they are used to.

How the 1717 Compares to Other Popular Tee Blanks

If you have bought printed tees before, you have probably worn one of these. Knowing which one you liked is a shortcut to picking the right size here.

The short version: if your favorite tee is a Bella + Canvas, expect the 1717 to feel roomier and heavier at the same size. If it is a Gildan, you are in familiar territory with a nicer fabric.

When the Comfort Colors 1717 Is Not the Right Pick

We would rather you buy the right shirt than the wrong one, so here is the honest side.

• You want a fitted or tailored tee. This is not that shirt at any size. It is relaxed by design and always will be.
• You want something light for high summer. At 6.1 oz this is a substantial tee. Lovely in spring and autumn, warm in real heat.
• You need it to look identical to a shirt you bought a year ago. Garment dyeing produces small batch-to-batch variation. That is a feature of the process, not a fault, but it is worth knowing if you are matching an existing shirt.
• You are buying for someone whose size you are unsure of. A gift card removes the guesswork, and the shirt will still be there afterwards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Comfort Colors shirts run big or small?

They run true to size, cut fuller and slightly longer than a standard retail tee. Order your normal size for a relaxed fit and one size up for an oversized look.

Is the Comfort Colors 1717 unisex?

Yes. It is a unisex cut, which means it is straighter through the waist than a women's-specific tee. Most women order their usual size and find it wears comfortably roomy.

What size is the model wearing?

Size Large, in the size chart photograph above.

How much does the Comfort Colors 1717 weigh?

6.1 oz per square yard, 100% ring-spun cotton. That places it firmly in heavyweight territory, heavier than a Gildan 5000 at 5.3 oz and considerably heavier than a Bella + Canvas 3001 at 4.2 oz.

Will the print crack or fade?

Wash cold, turn the shirt inside out, and tumble dry on low or hang it to dry. Skip the iron directly on the print. Treated that way the design holds up for years.

Do you offer plus sizes?

Every design comes in six sizes, S through 3XL. A 3XL measures 27.75 inches across the chest laid flat, which is 55.5 inches all the way round.

What if I order the wrong size?

Get in touch and we will help you sort it out. Our full policy is on the FAQ page, and you can always reach a real person through the contact page.

Explore More

Now that you know your size, have a look around. Our Christian T-shirts for women are all printed on this blank, and if you are still deciding where to buy, our honest guide to Christian clothing brands compares us against eight others, including the ones we think beat us in places.