A gift of clothing carries a risk that a mug never does: it has to fit. Everyone has been on the receiving end of a sweater that was a size too small, and everyone remembers the polite smile that went with it. The risk is easy to reduce, though, and none of the ways to do it needs you to ask “what size are you?” and spoil the surprise.
This guide collects the gentle ways to find a size, helps you decide when you are torn between two, and suggests what to do when you really cannot tell. Our tees and hoodies run from S to 3XL, so there is a wide range to work with.
The best clue is already in their wardrobe
The most reliable source of a size is a piece of clothing the person already owns and wears happily. You do not need to measure anything. You only need to find the label.
- Laundry day. If you share a home, a visit to the laundry basket or the line gives you a look at several labels without a single question.
- A borrowed piece. At a friend’s house or on a weekend away, you may have a perfect reason to borrow a top. A glance at the tag takes a second.
- A recent photo. If you cannot see the item, look at how a favorite hoodie sits in a photo. Is it close to the body or does it hang loose? That tells you the fit they like, which is just as valuable as the number.
Choose a piece the person actually wears, not one at the back of a drawer. A top that has been worn thin has usually earned its place because the fit is right.
Ask someone close, not the receiver
If you do not live with the person, the next best source is somebody who does. A partner, a sibling, a parent or a close friend can often answer with a single message. Phrase it as a general question, such as “what size does she usually wear in a hoodie?”, and it will not give away what is coming.
Adding a second piece of context helps, because sizes feel different across clothes. “She wears a medium in tees but likes hoodies roomy” is a more useful answer than “medium”. Ask whether they prefer a snug, regular or loose fit, and you will have almost everything you need.
Read the size chart on the product page
Every product page has a chart, and it is worth using properly rather than glancing at it. Compare the measurements on the chart with a garment you own that fits well: lay it flat and measure across the chest and along the length with a tape. Then look for the closest figure on the chart.
This works better than relying on the letter. A medium varies from one brand to another, so a letter on its own is only a hint. A measurement taken from a favorite piece is a much stronger one. If you cannot take a measurement without raising suspicion, even a rough description of the fit can still help you pick between two sizes.
When you are between two sizes
Sooner or later you will land between sizes. These rules of thumb help:
1. Think about the person’s taste. If they like loose, comfortable clothing, go up. If they like a close, neat fit, stay down. 2. Think about the piece. A hoodie or a sweatshirt is usually worn loose and layered, so the larger size is often the easier one to wear. A tee can be worn close or relaxed, so you can lean on the person’s taste. 3. Think about what they will wear underneath. If they will wear a layer under the piece, give it room. 4. Think about the risk of each error. A garment that is a little large is generally easier to wear than one that is a little small.
None of these is a guarantee, but together they give a better answer than a coin toss.
Matching pieces for couples, friends and families
Friends Share Quiet Hoodie. FRIENDS SHARE QUIET Hoodie features watercolor artwork showing two mugs of tea facing each other with two curling steam lines and a lavender sprig. The lettering reads “FRIENDS SHARE QUIET”. Quiet Lake at Sunrise with Pines T-Shirt. Pale light spreads over a motionless lake while dark pines line the far shore. The scene is edged by a thin white border, like a keepsake photograph, and the stillness is the whole point: no wind, no crowd, only the first light. Get Well Gentle Days Hoodie. GET WELL GENTLE DAYS Hoodie features watercolor artwork showing a comforting teal cup of lemon tea beside a small honey jar with no label and one chamomile bloom. The lettering reads “GET WELL GENTLE DAYS”.
For groups, a list is your best friend. Write down each person, the size, and the fit they prefer, and then read it back before you pay. For larger orders the habit is the same as for names: a list kept in one place and checked by a second person prevents more mistakes than care alone. Our guide to ordering a group names list shows how to build one, and the same list can hold sizes.
These gift ideas include made-to-order designs. Choosing finished artwork does not mean an item is in stock or ready for immediate delivery. Some selections use finished artwork; only choose custom text where the listing offers it. Check each product’s options and the shipping information before planning when to give it. The photographs illustrate gift-giving ideas; use each product’s listing to see its own design.
Quiet Lake at Sunrise with Pines T-Shirt
- Free gift
$24.95In stock
Valentine's Quiet Orbit T-Shirt
- Free gift
$24.95In stock
Friends Share Quiet Hoodie
- Free gift
$46.95In stock
Get Well Gentle Days Hoodie
- Free gift
$46.95In stock
Read the description and the chart for each piece in a set rather than assuming they match. Two items from the same order can fit quite differently on the same person.
A gift that does not need a size
Sometimes, however careful you are, you cannot find out a size without giving the game away. In that case, the kindest thing may be to choose a different kind of gift altogether, one that carries the same personal message without needing a measurement.
- A mug or tumbler with the same name or title, such as the mugs collection.
- A keepsake, such as an ornament or a keychain, that holds a name and a date.
- A blanket or a pillow, if you want something soft and warm.
You can still give clothing later, once you have learned a size naturally. A card that says “I have something else planned for when I know your size” is a sweet detail in its own right.
Think about care and aftercare
Once you have chosen a size, remember the wear. Printed pieces are best looked after according to their care instructions, and these differ from piece to piece, so check the product page and our product care notes. The general guidance in caring for printed gifts is a helpful read to pass along with the gift.
If a piece does not fit, the details for what to do are on the returns page. Please read them for the current information rather than relying on assumptions, and keep the order confirmation somewhere you can find it.
Make the size part of the surprise
A gentle way to deal with uncertainty is to be honest about it in the card. A line such as “I chose a relaxed fit, so feel free to tell me if you would like a different size next time” is warm and practical. It signals that you thought about comfort, and it makes it easy for the receiver to be honest. The post on writing a note to go with it has ideas for the right tone.
FAQ
What if I only know the size in another brand?
Treat it as a rough guide. Compare the measurements on our size chart with a garment you know fits, and choose the closest match.
Should I size up for a hoodie?
Often, yes, because hoodies are usually worn loose and layered. If the person prefers a close fit, stay with their usual size instead.
Can I ask a friend to check the size for me?
Yes. A mutual friend or a family member can usually find out without giving the surprise away. Ask a general question rather than mentioning a gift.
Are the sizes the same for tees and hoodies?
Both ranges run from S to 3XL, but they fit differently, so check the chart on each product page.
Where can I get help with my order?
Visit the help center or contact us with your order number.
