Choosing a size for a retro football shirt seems simple until the real doubts kick in: one base can have an oversized drape, another can be straighter, another can be built to wear open over a t-shirt, and another can work best as the main piece of an outfit. At Offside Originals we don't think of the shirt as matchday kit — we think of it as a street garment. That's why sizing isn't just about chest and length: it's about how you want to wear it.
Start with a shirt you already wear
The most reliable way to choose a size isn't imagining your body inside a chart — it's measuring a real garment you already like. Lay it flat on a table and measure the chest width from armpit to armpit, the length from shoulder to hem and, if the guide includes it, the shoulder width. Then compare those measurements to the chart on the product you want to buy.
This method avoids two common mistakes. The first is buying out of habit: "I always wear M", even though that M can vary a lot depending on the base, the supplier or the country. The second is only looking at a model's height and weight without knowing what fit the shoot was going for. In premium football fashion, two people the same size can choose different sizes depending on the style they're after.
Decide what fit you want before you buy
A retro shirt can work in several ways. If you want it as the main piece with wide jeans, denim shorts, roomy tailored trousers or an open overshirt, you'll probably appreciate a bit of extra room. If you prefer it cleaner under an overshirt or a bomber jacket, your usual size might suit you better. If you're torn between two sizes and want a more relaxed silhouette, it's usually best to size up.
The key is not to confuse "big" with "badly sized". Many 90s football shirts had a boxier presence, with visible sleeves and a drape that sat further from the body. That gesture is part of the blokecore language: the garment breathes, reads from a distance, and doesn't look like fitted technical sportswear.
Look at the type of shirt: they don't all drape the same
On a sublimated shirt, the fabric usually drapes differently than on a heavy cotton shirt. Sublimation allows full graphics, archive patterns, crests, fictional sponsors and colour integrated across the whole piece. Heavy cotton, on the other hand, can give a more streetwear feel: more body, more structure, and a presence closer to a premium everyday shirt.
That's why it doesn't make sense to size the same way on every product. Before buying, check whether the product page mentions fit, fabric weight, composition, made-to-order production or print type. If the product has an editorial shot with a model, use it as a proportion reference, not an exact measurement. The size guide is the authority.
Check chest, length and shoulders
Chest width decides whether the shirt will feel comfortable. Length decides whether it works untucked or ends up too long. Shoulders and sleeves set the attitude: a sleeve that sits slightly lower can add retro character; a sleeve that's too tight can make the shirt read as sportswear when you wanted a street piece.
If you're only going to check one measurement, check chest width. If you can check two, add length. And if you're very fit-sensitive, also check sleeve and shoulder. That extra minute usually saves exchanges, doubts and impulse buys that don't end up fitting your wardrobe.
Factor in made-to-order production
Offside Originals works with made-to-order production. That means the piece is made or prepared after you confirm the order — it doesn't come from endless stock. The model helps reduce waste and keep drops more considered, but it also means buying with more attention: size, variant and address should be checked before you pay.
If an order hasn't entered production yet, there may be room to correct a size. Once it's in production, that's usually not possible. That's why the size guide isn't a minor detail — it's part of the buying experience.
How to choose at Offside Originals
If you're buying a shirt like Iberia White - Meridiano 26, think about use first: do you want it as your main summer shirt, as a layer under a jacket, or as a collector's piece you'll also wear? If the goal is a relaxed outfit, check the chest measurement and consider sizing up if you're between two. If you want a cleaner drape, compare it with a shirt you already wear and stay close to that measurement.
You can also explore the retro shirts collection and go through each product page carefully. The same rule always applies: measure a real garment, compare it to the chart, decide on the fit, and buy with how you'll wear it in mind.
Quick summary
- Measure a shirt that already fits you well.
- Compare chest and length with the product's size guide.
- If you're between two sizes and want a relaxed fit, choose the larger one.
- Check the type of garment: sublimated, heavy cotton or another base.
- Read the FAQ and the shipping page before buying if you're unsure.
If you're buying as a gift, this check matters even more. Borrow a reference shirt, notice whether the person usually wears loose or fitted garments, and avoid choosing by height alone. On a retro-styled shirt, fit intention is part of the gift.
A good size doesn't just avoid a return — it makes the shirt look like what it's meant to be. Not a borrowed kit, but an archive piece that fits you.