Bookish Shirt Sizing Guide

Every Amo Luz design is printed on garment-dyed Comfort Colors blanks — the same soft, heavyweight cotton that feels broken-in from the first wear. But because these aren’t your typical fast-fashion tees, the fit works a little differently than what you might be used to.

This guide covers everything you need to know: how to measure, how each product type fits, and how to choose the right size whether you want a fitted look or that cozy oversized drape for marathon reading sessions.

How Our Garment-Dyed Apparel Fits

Comfort Colors garment-dyed apparel has a relaxed, unisex fit — not slim, not boxy, just comfortably in between. The garment-dyeing process means each piece is dyed after it’s sewn and then pre-shrunk, so what arrives at your door is essentially the size it’ll stay.

A few things worth knowing before you pick your size:

Relaxed, not oversized. These aren’t slim-fit tees, but they’re not swim-in-them huge either. The cut follows a classic straight silhouette with enough room to move, breathe, and curl up with a book without feeling restricted.

Pre-shrunk means minimal shrinkage. Because the garment-dye process involves washing and tumbling before the shirt ever reaches you, expect very little change after your first home wash — typically less than an inch in any direction. No need to size up “just in case.”

Unisex sizing. All our tees, sweatshirts, and hoodies use unisex sizing. If you typically wear women’s sizes, you may want to size down one for a more fitted look, or stay true to size for that effortlessly relaxed feel most readers love.

How to Measure for the Best Fit

The most reliable way to find your size is to grab a shirt, sweatshirt, or hoodie you already own and love — one that fits the way you want your Amo Luz piece to fit. Lay it flat on a table and measure:

Width (Chest): Measure straight across the chest, from one side seam to the other, about one inch below the armholes. This is the half-chest measurement — double it for your full chest circumference.

Length (Body): Measure from the highest point of the shoulder (where the seam meets the collar) straight down to the bottom hem.

Sleeve (Center Back): Measure from the center of the back neckline, across the shoulder, and down to the end of the sleeve hem. This one matters most for long sleeves, sweatshirts, and hoodies.

Once you have those numbers, compare them to the size charts below. If you fall between two sizes, here’s the general rule: size down for a more fitted look, size up for that cozy oversized reading-on-the-couch vibe.

T-Shirt Size Chart — Comfort Colors 1717

Our tees are printed on the Comfort Colors CC 1717 — a 6.1 oz, 100% ring-spun cotton, garment-dyed heavyweight tee. This is the blank that made Comfort Colors famous: soft from day one, built to last, and available in the earthy, muted tones that define the Amo Luz palette.

Fabric: 6.1 oz, 100% ring-spun cotton
Fit: Relaxed unisex
Construction: Seamless tubular body, double-needle hems, twill-taped neck and shoulders

Size Width (in) Length (in) Sleeve Center Back (in)
S 18¼ 26⅝ 16¼
M 20¼ 28 17¾
L 22 29⅜ 19
XL 24 30¾ 20½
2XL 26 31⅝ 21¾
3XL 27¾ 32½ 23¼

Measurements taken with garment laid flat. Width = chest measured 1 inch below armholes. Actual measurements may vary up to ±1 inch due to the garment-dye process.

Fit notes: The CC 1717 runs true to a relaxed fit. Most readers order their standard unisex size. If you typically wear a women’s medium, a unisex small will give you a fitted look, while a unisex medium keeps it relaxed. For the oversized “Sunday reading” fit, go one size up from your usual.

Browse all designs on our Book Lover Shirts collection.

Sweatshirt Size Chart — Comfort Colors 1566

Our crewneck sweatshirts use the Comfort Colors CC 1566 — a 9.5 oz fleece blend that’s garment-dyed for the same lived-in softness as our tees. The crewneck cut makes it a natural layering piece, and the heavier weight means it holds its shape beautifully whether you’re wearing it to a book club meetup or an all-day reading marathon at home.

Fabric: 9.5 oz, 80% ring-spun cotton / 20% polyester
Fit: Relaxed unisex (runs slightly wider than the tee)
Construction: Side-seamed body, rolled forward shoulders, 1×1 rib collar, cuffs, and waistband

Size Width (in) Length (in) Sleeve Center Back (in)
S 21 27½ 31½
M 23 28½ 33½
L 25 29½ 35¼
XL 26½ 30½ 36¾
2XL 28 31½ 38¼
3XL 29½ 32½ 39¼

Measurements taken with garment laid flat. Actual measurements may vary up to ±1 inch due to the garment-dye process.

Fit notes: The CC 1566 crewneck runs slightly wider than the tee — about 2–3 inches more in the chest at each size. This is by design: sweatshirts are meant to layer over a tee comfortably. Most readers stick with their standard size. If you want that trendy collegiate oversized look (very on-brand for a Reading Society crewneck), size up one.

Browse all designs on our Book Lover Sweatshirts collection.

Hoodie Size Chart — Comfort Colors 1567

Our hoodies use the Comfort Colors CC 1567 — same 9.5 oz garment-dyed fleece blend as the crewneck, but with a jersey-lined drawcord hood and a front handwarmer pocket. The sizing matches the crewneck sweatshirt exactly, so if you know your size in one, you know it in both.

Fabric: 9.5 oz, 80% ring-spun cotton / 20% polyester
Fit: Relaxed unisex (same dimensions as the CC 1566 crewneck)
Construction: Side-seamed body, jersey-lined hood, ribbed cuffs and waistband, front kangaroo pocket

Size Width (in) Length (in) Sleeve Center Back (in)
S 21 27½ 31½
M 23 28½ 33½
L 25 29½ 35¼
XL 26½ 30½ 36¾
2XL 28 31½ 38¼
3XL 29½ 32½ 39¼

Measurements taken with garment laid flat. Actual measurements may vary up to ±1 inch due to the garment-dye process.

Fit notes: Same sizing as the crewneck — order the same size in both and expect the same fit. The hood adds a little visual bulk around the neckline, but the body dimensions are identical. For those Reading Society and Dark Academia hoodies, the oversized look works beautifully — size up one if that’s your style.

Browse all designs on our Book Lover Hoodies collection.

Quick Size Recommendation by Body Type

Not sure where to start? Here’s a quick reference based on common body measurements. These are suggestions, not rules — use the “measure a shirt you love” method above for the most accurate fit.

Your Chest (full, in) Fitted Look Relaxed Look Oversized Look
32–34 S S M
35–37 S M L
38–40 M L XL
41–43 L XL 2XL
44–46 XL 2XL 3XL
47–50 2XL 3XL

Based on garment width doubled + 2–4 inches of ease for relaxed fit, 4–6 inches for oversized.

Tee vs. Sweatshirt vs. Hoodie — Size Comparison

Wondering if you should order the same size across all three product types? Here’s a side-by-side comparison at each size to help you decide.

Size Tee Width Sweatshirt Width Hoodie Width Tee Length Sweatshirt Length Hoodie Length
S 18¼ 21 21 26⅝ 27½ 27½
M 20¼ 23 23 28 28½ 28½
L 22 25 25 29⅜ 29½ 29½
XL 24 26½ 26½ 30¾ 30½ 30½
2XL 26 28 28 31⅝ 31½ 31½

The sweatshirt and hoodie run about 2–3 inches wider in the chest than the tee at each size. Length is very similar across all three. So if you wear a medium tee and want the same relative fit in a sweatshirt, stick with medium — the extra width is built into the sweatshirt pattern for layering comfort.

Care Instructions — Keep Your Bookish Apparel Looking New

Garment-dyed apparel is low-maintenance by nature, but a little care goes a long way. Here’s how to keep your Amo Luz pieces looking their best:

Washing: Turn inside out and wash in cold water. This protects the printed design and preserves the garment-dyed color.

Drying: Tumble dry on low heat, or air dry if you prefer. The pre-shrunk process means you won’t see significant shrinkage either way.

Avoid: Bleach and fabric softeners. Bleach damages the dye, and fabric softeners can interfere with the garment-dyed texture that makes these shirts so soft in the first place.

The good news: The garment-dye process means your shirt arrives soft and stays that way. No break-in period needed. That lived-in feel you get on day one? It only gets better.

For more detailed care tips, check out our guide on How to Care for Printed Shirts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Comfort Colors shirts shrink?
Minimal shrinkage — typically less than one inch in any direction. Our tees, sweatshirts, and hoodies are pre-shrunk during the garment-dye process, so what you receive is close to its final size. Follow cold wash and low-heat dry instructions for best results.

Should I size up or down?
It depends on the fit you want. For a standard relaxed fit, order your usual unisex size. For a more fitted look (especially if you typically wear women’s sizes), consider sizing down one. For an oversized, cozy look — perfect for reading days — size up one.

Are these unisex sizes?
Yes. All Amo Luz tees, sweatshirts, and hoodies use unisex sizing. The fit is relaxed and designed to work across body types. Women who prefer a more tailored silhouette often size down one from their standard unisex size.

Is the hoodie the same size as the sweatshirt?
Yes. The Comfort Colors CC 1567 hoodie and CC 1566 crewneck sweatshirt share identical body dimensions. If you know your size in one, you know it in both. The only difference is the hood and front pocket on the hoodie.

What if my size doesn’t fit?
We offer 60-day hassle-free returns. If the fit isn’t right, send it back and we’ll help you find the right size. No questions, no stress — just email [email protected].

How do I measure myself for a shirt?
The easiest method is to measure a shirt you already own and love. Lay it flat, measure the chest width (one inch below the armholes, seam to seam) and the length (shoulder to hem). Compare those numbers to our size charts above. This is more reliable than measuring your body directly, because it accounts for the fit style you actually prefer.

Printed in the USA

Ships within 1–2 business days

Comfort Colors Blanks

Garment-dyed heavyweight 6.1 oz

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Delivered in 4–7 business days

60-Day Returns

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