How Do Comfort Colors Shirts Fit? Your Sizing Guide
By Bobby Harris — Navy FMF Corpsman (2002–2010), founder of First Rise Outfitters
Comfort Colors shirts are defined by a relaxed, boxy, vintage silhouette that sits noticeably roomier than modern fitted tees. If you’ve ever ordered one expecting a standard retail fit and been surprised by the extra room, you’re not alone. The flagship 1717 model is a 6.1 oz garment-dyed tee built from 100% ring-spun cotton, and it’s intentionally designed to drape away from your body. Knowing how do Comfort Colors shirts fit before you order saves you the hassle of a return and gets you into the right size the first time.
How do Comfort Colors 1717 shirts fit?
The Comfort Colors 1717 fits with a unisex, relaxed, boxy cut. The chest is wider, the body is slightly shorter, and the whole shirt hangs with a lived-in ease that modern slim-cut tees don’t offer. This is not a flaw in the design. It’s the entire point.
A medium 1717 measures 22 inches in chest width, which is wider than many retail-fit shirts at the same labeled size. That extra room across the chest is what gives the shirt its signature drape. The body length on a medium runs 29 inches, which is slightly shorter than some modern retail options.
The fabric itself plays a big role in how the shirt feels on your body. At 6.1 oz, this is a heavyweight cotton that has real structure. It doesn’t cling or stretch out of shape. The garment-dyeing process means the shirt is dyed after it’s fully assembled, which creates a soft, pre-washed feel and subtle color variation from shirt to shirt. You’re getting something that already feels broken in on the first wear.
Chest width and body length at a glance
| Size | Chest width (inches) | Body length (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 20 | 27 |
| M | 22 | 29 |
| L | 24 | 31 |
| XL | 26 | 32 |
| 2XL | 28 | 33 |
Pro Tip: Lay your favorite well-fitting shirt flat on a table and measure pit-to-pit across the chest. Compare that number to the chart above. That single measurement will tell you more than any size label ever will.
How should you choose the right Comfort Colors size?
Choosing the right size comes down to one key decision: what kind of fit do you want? The 1717 is designed for a relaxed, vintage look, so your strategy depends on your personal preference.
Accurate sizing starts with measuring a shirt you already own and love. Lay it flat, measure pit-to-pit across the chest, and measure from the shoulder seam straight down to the hem. Those two numbers are your guide.
- Order true to size if you want the intended vintage relaxed drape. This is the most common choice and gives you the look the shirt was designed for.
- Size down one if you prefer a closer, more fitted silhouette. Women especially find this gives a flattering shape without losing the soft, comfortable feel.
- Size up one only if you specifically want an oversized streetwear look. Going up more than one size typically creates excessive bagginess that most people don’t want.
- Check the size range before ordering. The 1717 starts at Small and goes up to 4XL. There is no XS option, so very petite buyers should keep that in mind.
- Consider your height. The 1717 runs slightly shorter in body length than some modern shirts. If you’re tall and need length, sizing up may help, but check the length measurement first.
Pro Tip: If you’re between sizes, go with your smaller size. The 1717 is already roomy, and sizing up is usually unnecessary because the shirt’s intentional roominess does the work for you.
Check the Firstriseoutfitters sizing guide for a straightforward breakdown that matches these measurements to real-world fit expectations.
How does the Comfort Colors fit compare to other shirt fits?
The Comfort Colors 1717 fits differently from modern retail shirts in two clear ways: it’s wider across the chest and shorter in the body. A medium 1717 measures 22 inches wide and 29 inches long, while a comparable modern retail-fit medium typically runs 22 inches wide but 30 inches long with a slimmer, more tapered cut through the torso. Same chest number, very different feel.
The fabric weight also changes how the shirt sits on your body. At 6.1 oz, the 1717 weighs 45% more than popular retail-fit tees in the same category. That extra weight means the fabric falls straight down rather than hugging your shape. It’s a structured drape, not a clingy one.
Here’s what sets the 1717 apart from standard retail fits:
- Chest width: Wider at every size, giving a roomier feel even when ordered true to size
- Body length: Slightly shorter, which can surprise taller buyers used to longer modern cuts
- Fabric weight: Heavier cotton creates a more structured, less stretchy feel
- Garment-dye finish: Delivers softness and color depth that piece-dyed fabrics don’t match
- Silhouette: Boxy and straight rather than tapered at the waist
The biggest misconception buyers carry into their first Comfort Colors order is that “true to size” means the same thing it does with modern fashion tees. It doesn’t. True to size in the 1717 means a relaxed, vintage-inspired fit with real room to breathe.
What care and wash practices affect the fit?
Garment-dyed shirts behave differently in the wash than standard cotton tees, and knowing this upfront protects your fit. The good news is that the 1717 is already pre-washed as part of the dyeing process, so most of the shrinkage has already happened before the shirt reaches you.
Cold wash and tumble dry low is the care combination that keeps the shirt closest to its original size. Heat is the main enemy of cotton fit retention. High dryer heat causes length to pull in more than width, which is why most shrinkage in the 1717 shows up in body length rather than chest width.
- Shrinkage is minimal. Under 5% size change is typical after washing, which is less than untreated heavyweight cottons.
- The shirt gets softer with every wash. The garment-dye finish continues to relax over time, deepening that broken-in feel.
- Color stays vibrant longer when washed in cold water and kept out of high heat.
- If you need length, size up before washing. The small amount of shrinkage that does occur tends to come from the body length, not the chest.
Pro Tip: Turn your shirt inside out before washing. This simple habit protects the printed artwork and keeps the garment-dyed color from fading faster than it needs to.
Who benefits most from wearing Comfort Colors shirts?
Comfort Colors shirts suit a specific kind of person: someone who values comfort, durability, and a worn-in aesthetic over a sharp, tailored look. That’s not a small group. It’s actually the majority of people who wear graphic tees for everyday life and outdoor activities.
Outdoor enthusiasts get real value from the heavyweight cotton. It holds up to repeated wear in the field, breathes better than synthetic blends, and looks better the more you wear it. Anglers, hikers, and campers who want a shirt that can go from the truck to the trail without looking out of place will find the 1717 fits that need well.
- Anglers and outdoor adventurers who want a durable, breathable shirt that looks good after hard use
- Women who prefer a relaxed fit and order true to size, or who size down one for a fitted look. The fishing clothes for women guide at Firstriseoutfitters covers this in more detail.
- Vintage style fans who want the faded, lived-in color palette that garment-dyeing produces
- Print-on-demand sellers and merch designers who need a premium blank that photographs well and holds artwork cleanly
- Layering enthusiasts who want a shirt with enough room to wear over a base layer on cold mornings
The 1717 is not the shirt for someone who wants a sharp, slim silhouette. If that’s your goal, a different cut serves you better. But if you want something that feels like your favorite shirt from five years ago on the very first wear, this is it.
Key Takeaways
Comfort Colors 1717 shirts fit with a relaxed, boxy, vintage silhouette that runs wider in the chest and shorter in the body than modern retail-fit tees, making flat measurements the most reliable sizing tool.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Relaxed, boxy fit | The 1717 is intentionally roomy; true to size delivers a vintage drape, not a slim fit. |
| Measure before ordering | Compare pit-to-pit chest width and body length to the size chart for the best result. |
| Sizing up is rarely needed | The shirt is already roomy; size down for a closer fit, not up. |
| Minimal shrinkage | Under 5% size change after washing, mostly in body length, not chest width. |
| Cold wash, low dry | This care routine preserves fit, softness, and color vibrancy over time. |
Why I stopped overthinking Comfort Colors sizing
Bobby here. After wearing and recommending these shirts for years, the single biggest mistake I see people make is treating the 1717 like a standard retail tee. They order their usual size, expect a modern fit, and then feel like something went wrong when the shirt is roomier than expected. Nothing went wrong. That’s the shirt doing exactly what it was designed to do.
My honest advice is to lean into the philosophy of the garment. The 1717 was built for comfort, not for looking sharp at a business meeting. When I’m out before sunrise on the water, the last thing I want is a shirt pulling across my shoulders or riding up when I cast. The extra room is a feature, not a bug.
The flat measurement method is the one I trust completely. Grab a shirt you already love, lay it flat, and measure it. That removes all the guesswork. I’ve seen people size up “just to be safe” and end up with a shirt that swallows them. The 1717 is already generous. Trust the measurements, not the instinct to go bigger.
One more thing: if you’re buying for outdoor use, the weight of this fabric matters more than you’d think. A 6.1 oz cotton shirt holds its shape through a full day on the water or trail in a way that lighter tees simply don’t. That’s the kind of durability that makes a shirt worth keeping for years.
— Bobby
Firstriseoutfitters carries the Comfort Colors shirts built for early mornings
Firstriseoutfitters prints its badge tee series on garment-dyed Comfort Colors blanks in muted, river-inspired tones that look right at home on a tailgate at 5 AM or a streamside lunch break. Every shirt in the lineup carries the same 6.1 oz ring-spun cotton construction and relaxed fit described throughout this guide.
The Brook Trout Angler Tee and the Funny Fisherman Shirt are two of the most popular options for anglers who want a shirt that holds up to real use and looks better with every wash. Both ship with full sizing guidance so you land the right fit on the first order.
FAQ
How do Comfort Colors shirts fit compared to regular tees?
Comfort Colors 1717 shirts fit with a relaxed, boxy silhouette that is wider in the chest and slightly shorter in the body than modern slim-fit retail tees. Ordering true to size gives you the intended vintage drape, not a fitted look.
Do Comfort Colors shirts run big or true to size?
They run true to size for a relaxed fit, which means they feel bigger than a modern fitted tee at the same labeled size. Size down one if you prefer a closer fit.
How much do Comfort Colors shirts shrink after washing?
Shrinkage is under 5% and occurs mostly in body length, not chest width. Cold wash and tumble dry low keeps shrinkage at its minimum.
What sizes does the Comfort Colors 1717 come in?
The 1717 ranges from Small to 4XL with no XS option. Very petite buyers should keep this in mind when selecting a size.
Should women size down in Comfort Colors shirts?
Women who want a fitted look typically size down one from their usual size. Ordering true to size gives a relaxed, oversized feel that many women also prefer for casual and outdoor wear.