Size Guide
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Choosing a size, in brief
- Crewneck sweatshirts, pullover hoodies and tees come in unisex sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL and 3XL.
- Quarter-zip pullovers come in S, M, L, XL and 2XL.
- Dad caps and the cuffed beanie are one size: caps adjust with a back strap, beanies stretch.
- The most reliable guide is a garment you already own and like. This page shows you how to compare.
- Wrong size? Return it within 60 days of delivery with a free return label; refunds are issued within 7 days of receiving your return.
Every top at Thread Well is cut in unisex sizing. Unisex garments are designed to fit a wide range of bodies, which means they are straighter through the waist and a little roomier through the body than fitted women’s styles. That is part of their appeal: a monogram crewneck that drapes easily is the one you reach for on a cold morning. It also means your usual size in a fitted brand is not always your best size here. This guide explains how to choose with confidence, without guessing.
Why we suggest comparing with a garment you own
Size labels are not universal. A medium from one maker can be a small or a large from another, and the same person may wear different sizes in a tee and a hoodie. The most dependable way to choose is to find a sweatshirt, hoodie or tee you already own and enjoy wearing, measure it flat, and compare it with how the style you are considering is meant to fit. You do not need a tape measure for your body, only for a garment on a table.
Pick the closest match to what you are buying. If you are ordering a crewneck sweatshirt, measure a crewneck sweatshirt. If you are ordering a tee, measure a tee. A quarter-zip compares best with another pullover worn over a shirt.
How to measure a garment you already own
- Lay it flat. Place the garment face up on a table or the floor. Smooth out wrinkles without stretching the fabric. Zip a quarter-zip closed.
- Chest width. Measure straight across the front from one side seam to the other, about one inch below the armholes. This single measurement tells you most of what you need to know about fit.
- Body length. Measure from the highest point of the shoulder, where the shoulder seam meets the collar, straight down to the bottom of the hem or ribbed waistband.
- Sleeve length. Measure from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff along the outside of the sleeve. For a long-sleeve sweatshirt, this tells you whether cuffs will sit at the wrist or bunch up.
- Write it down. Keep the three numbers with a note of which garment you measured and how you like it to fit.
Measuring for a gift? You can often borrow a sweatshirt from the laundry basket for two minutes, or ask a family member to measure one quietly. If none of that is possible, the gift sizing section below helps.
If you would like a second opinion, email the three measurements and the product you are considering to support@threadwell.shop, and tell us how you like things to fit. We will help you choose.
How each style tends to fit
| Garment | Sizes | How it tends to feel | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crewneck sweatshirt | S–3XL | Relaxed through the body with ribbed collar, cuffs and hem that gather the fabric back in. | Your usual size gives a classic relaxed look; one size up gives an oversized drape. |
| Pullover hoodie | S–3XL | Similar body to a crewneck, but the hood and pouch pocket add visual bulk at the neck and front. | Between sizes, the smaller one usually looks neater. |
| Quarter-zip pullover | S–2XL | Designed as a layer over a tee or a shirt, with a stand collar. | If you plan to wear a thick layer underneath, compare with a pullover you wear the same way. |
| Unisex tee | S–3XL | Straight through the body, with sleeves that sit a little longer than a fitted women’s tee. | If you prefer a fitted tee, consider a size down. |
| Dad cap | One size | Unstructured, low profile, curved brim. | Adjusts with the back strap to fit most adult heads. |
| Cuffed beanie | One size | Rib-knit with a fold-over cuff. | Stretches to fit most adult heads. |
Some designs offer a Style option, where you choose Tee, Crewneck or Hoodie for the same embroidery. All three use the same S–3XL size labels; pick the size for the style you choose using the notes above, because a hoodie will feel roomier than a tee in the same size.
Choosing between two sizes
Most size questions are really “M or L?” questions. Here is how to decide.
Think about how you will wear it
A monogram crewneck worn over a collared shirt for a lunch out wants a little room. A tee worn under a cardigan wants less. A hoodie for book-club evenings and long reads in a chair is often nicest with extra length. Picture the moment you will wear it most, and choose for that moment.
Think about the embroidery
Embroidery sits where it is designed to sit, regardless of size: a left-chest name sits over the heart and a full-chest design sits across the upper chest. On a much larger size, a left-chest monogram will sit a little lower and further from the collar simply because the garment is bigger. If you like the placement in our product photos, a size close to your natural fit keeps it there.
When in doubt
- For a neat, tailored look, choose the smaller of the two sizes.
- For a relaxed or oversized look, choose the larger.
- For a hoodie, lean towards the smaller, because the hood adds bulk.
- For a tee you will layer under a sweater, lean towards the smaller.
- For a sweatshirt you will wear over a collared shirt, lean towards the larger.
Sizing for women, men and teens
Unisex sizing follows a traditional men’s size scale. Many women find that their unisex size is one size smaller than their usual women’s size if they want a closer fit, or the same as their usual women’s size for a relaxed one. Men usually take their normal size. Teens who wear adult sizes can use the same comparison method; our range starts at adult S and does not include youth sizes.
These are general observations about unisex sizing, not measurements of our garments. The comparison method above is always the more reliable guide.
Buying a size as a gift
Gifts are where sizing feels hardest, and where most of our sweatshirts end up: a mama crewneck with the children’s names on the sleeve, a grandma’s garden sweatshirt, a bride’s Mrs. crewneck, a teacher apple crewneck for the end of the year. A few ways to get it right:
- Look at what they already wear. Note the size label of a sweatshirt or tee they wear often, and whether it fits them loosely or closely.
- Ask a partner or family member. They can check a label without spoiling the surprise.
- Choose roomy when unsure. A crewneck that is slightly large still looks intentional; one that is too tight rarely gets worn.
- Remember the return window. The recipient can return the piece within 60 days of delivery with a free label, and you can reorder the right size.
For group gifts, such as matching crewnecks for a book club or a grade team, ask each person for their size and list them line by line in Order notes. It is much easier than guessing six sizes.
Three sizing stories
The bride who wanted it borrowed-looking
A bride ordering the Mrs. Script crewneck for her wedding morning usually wears a women’s small. She wanted the slouchy, borrowed-from-a-partner look for photos, so she measured a favourite oversized sweatshirt from her wardrobe, decided she wanted that same easy drape, and ordered a unisex M rather than an S. The script stayed centred across the chest, just a little lower.
The teacher team with five different sizes
A grade team ordering teacher apple crewnecks asked each teacher to check the label of a sweatshirt she already liked. The organiser then listed every name with its size in Order notes. Nobody guessed, and the left-chest apple sat in the same place on every crewneck.
The hoodie that was one size too generous
A customer who wears L in most tees ordered a pullover hoodie in L, then found the hood made it feel bulkier than she liked. She returned it with the free label within the 60 days, ordered M, and noted for next time that hoodies run roomier than tees for her.
Caps and beanies
Our dad caps and the cuffed beanie are one size. Caps have an adjustable strap at the back that fits most adult heads; slide it tighter or looser until the cap sits comfortably above your ears. The beanie is rib-knit and stretches to fit most adult heads, with a fold-over cuff where the embroidery sits.
If you would like to check before ordering, measure around your head with a soft tape, just above the ears and across the middle of the forehead, where a hat naturally sits. Compare that with a cap or beanie you already wear comfortably. If you have a smaller or larger head than most and want to be sure, email us before ordering.
Personalisation and size
Size and personalisation are independent. You choose the size on the product page, and you write letters, names, dates and thread colour in the Order notes box at checkout. When you order several personalised pieces, include the size next to each name in your note, for example “Crewneck L Sand: J S M, Antique Gold; Crewneck M Navy: A R K, Ivory”. That way the right letters go on the right size.
Spotted that you chose the wrong size after ordering? Write to us within 24 hours with your order number, and we will change it. See Cancel or Change an Order for details.
If the size is not right
It happens. If a piece does not fit, return it within 60 days of delivery. We provide a free return label for change-of-mind returns, size included, and personalised pieces are covered. Once your return reaches us, we issue your refund within 7 days, to your original payment method or as store credit that never expires.
- Email support@threadwell.shop with your order number and the item.
- Place a new order for the size you need, so it is not held up while the first piece travels back.
- Pack the returned piece and use the free label we send you.
- Your refund follows within 7 days of the return reaching us.
The full process is on Returns & Exchanges, and the money side is on the Refund Policy.
Keeping the fit after washing
How you wash affects how a garment fits over time. Turn embroidered pieces inside out, wash on a cool, gentle cycle with similar colours, and tumble dry on low or hang to dry. High heat in a dryer can tighten knit fabric. Never iron directly over embroidery; if you need to, iron the reverse side on a low setting. Hand wash beanies and spot clean caps.
Questions about size
If you are still unsure, email support@threadwell.shop with the product, the size you are considering and the measurements of a garment you own. We reply within 24 hours on business days. You can also read the FAQs, visit the Help Center, or browse crewneck sweatshirts, hoodies and quarter-zips and embroidered tees.