Fit & Measurements

Size Guide

Every number below is a flat-lay measurement taken on the actual garment, not a body measurement. Inches first, centimetres underneath. Measurements are pre-wash, so expect around 2–3% shrinkage in the first few washes.

How to measure

Two different measurements are in play here. The tables below measure the garment. The method for checking the fit of a garment you already own is to measure that garment the same way, and compare. It is far more reliable than going by a label size, because garment sizes are not standardised across brands.

LengthFrom the highest point of the shoulder, straight down to the bottom hem, laid flat.
ChestStraight across the garment, armpit to armpit, then doubled for the total circumference.
SleeveFrom the shoulder seam down to the cuff, along the outside of the arm, laid flat.
ShoulderSeam to seam across the top of the garment, from one shoulder point to the other.

To check a garment you already own: lay it flat, smooth out the wrinkles, and measure it exactly as described above. Compare those numbers to the table and pick the closest match. If you fall between two sizes, the larger one is the safer choice for a relaxed fit.

The Guardian Beast T-Shirt

Every number is a flat-lay measurement of the actual garment, not a body measurement. Inches first, centimetres underneath.

T-Shirt — flat-lay measurements

220 gsm (6 oz/yd²) · 100% cotton, pre-shrunk, ring-spun · Oversized by design

SizeLengthChest (pit-to-pit ×2)SleeveShoulderRecommended weight
S26.4" (67 cm)19.7" (50 cm)7.9" (20 cm)16.9" (43 cm)3.3–3.8 kg / 7–8.4 lb
M27.6" (70 cm)20.9" (53 cm)8.3" (21 cm)17.9" (45.5 cm)3.6–4.1 kg / 8–9 lb
L28.7" (73 cm)22" (56 cm)8.7" (22 cm)18.9" (48 cm)3.9–4.4 kg / 8.6–9.7 lb
XL29.9" (76 cm)23.2" (59 cm)9.1" (23 cm)19.9" (50.5 cm)4.2–4.8 kg / 9.3–10.6 lb
2XL31.1" (79 cm)24.4" (62 cm)9.4" (24 cm)20.9" (53 cm)4.5–5.1 kg / 10–11.2 lb
3XL32.3" (82 cm)25.6" (65 cm)9.8" (25 cm)21.9" (55.5 cm)4.8–5.5 kg / 10.6–12.1 lb
Which size to take: This is a genuine oversized cut, not a normal shirt scaled up. Take your usual size for the relaxed fit we designed; size down one for a regular fit.
These are Asian-cut garments. Sizing runs generous relative to UK and EU equivalents — an American size usually fits larger than you expect.

The Guardian Beast Heavyweight Crewneck

Every number is a flat-lay measurement of the actual garment, not a body measurement. Inches first, centimetres underneath.

Crewneck — flat-lay measurements

330 gsm (8.9 oz/yd²) · 100% cotton, pre-shrunk, brushed loopback (French terry) · Relaxed fit with dropped shoulders

SizeLengthChest (pit-to-pit ×2)SleeveShoulderRecommended weight
M25.2" (64 cm)19.7" (50 cm)9.1" (23 cm)18.1" (46 cm)3.8–4.3 kg / 8.4–9.5 lb
L26.4" (67 cm)20.9" (53 cm)9.4" (24 cm)18.9" (48 cm)4.1–4.6 kg / 9–10.1 lb
XL27.6" (70 cm)22" (56 cm)9.8" (25 cm)19.7" (50 cm)4.3–4.9 kg / 9.5–10.8 lb
2XL28.7" (73 cm)23.2" (59 cm)10.2" (26 cm)20.5" (52 cm)4.6–5.2 kg / 10.1–11.5 lb
3XL29.9" (76 cm)24.4" (62 cm)10.6" (27 cm)21.3" (54 cm)4.9–5.6 kg / 10.8–12.3 lb
Which size to take: Take your usual size for a relaxed fit; size down one for a closer fit.
These are Asian-cut garments. Sizing runs generous relative to UK and EU equivalents — an American size usually fits larger than you expect.

The Guardian Beast Heavyweight Hoodie

Every number is a flat-lay measurement of the actual garment, not a body measurement. Inches first, centimetres underneath.

Hoodie — flat-lay measurements

460 gsm (12.4 oz/yd²) · 95% combed cotton, 5% elastane, brushed fleece inner, double-layer hood · Relaxed fit with dropped shoulders

SizeLengthChest (pit-to-pit ×2)SleeveShoulderRecommended weight
M25.2" (64 cm)21.3" (54 cm)9.1" (23 cm)18.1" (46 cm)4.1–4.6 kg / 9–10.1 lb
L26.4" (67 cm)22" (56 cm)9.4" (24 cm)18.9" (48 cm)4.3–4.9 kg / 9.5–10.8 lb
XL27.6" (70 cm)22.8" (58 cm)9.8" (25 cm)19.7" (50 cm)4.6–5.2 kg / 10.1–11.5 lb
2XL28.7" (73 cm)23.6" (60 cm)10.2" (26 cm)20.5" (52 cm)4.9–5.6 kg / 10.8–12.3 lb
3XL29.9" (76 cm)24.4" (62 cm)10.6" (27 cm)21.3" (54 cm)5.2–6.0 kg / 11.5–13.2 lb
Which size to take: Heavy and structured. Take your usual size for a relaxed fit; size down one if you want it closer to the body.
These are Asian-cut garments. Sizing runs generous relative to UK and EU equivalents — an American size usually fits larger than you expect.

The Guardian Beast Structured Cap

How to measure your head, and why the cap is a one-size garment with an adjustable strap.

Cap — flat-lay measurements

100% cotton twill, six-panel structured crown, pre-curved brim · One size, adjustable

SizeHead circumferenceCrown heightBrim
One size21.7–24 in (55–61 cm)5.1 in (13 cm)2.8 in (7 cm)

How to measure your head

Wrap a tape measure around your head just above your ears and across the back of your head, keeping it snug but not tight. That figure is your head circumference — and it is the number the cap is built around. A cap normally comes in only one size, so there is nothing to choose between: the adjustable strap at the back does the fitting. If you measure outside the 55–61 cm range, message us before ordering and we will confirm fit from your measurements.

Please note: the figure above is the head circumference the cap fits — it is not the circumference of the cap itself, which is smaller because it sits on your head rather than around it. Sizing a cap means measuring your head, not measuring the cap.

Which size to take: One size fits most. The cap is a large-size head shape with a metal adjustable strap at the back — head circumference roughly 55–61 cm (21.7–24 in). If you measure outside that range, message us before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

The four questions that come up most often about fit.

Should I size up?

Not usually. Every garment we make is cut to a specific fit, and the "size down one" advice in each table above applies only to the garments that are designed to be oversized or relaxed. If you are between two sizes and you want a close fit, size down. If you want room to layer underneath, size up. If you are unsure, message us with your usual size in a brand you like and we will tell you honestly which one to take.

What does Asian fit mean?

Some of our garments are cut on Asian blocks, which means the body of the garment is roomier than a UK or EU equivalent of the same nominal size, and the sleeves and body run longer. Sizing on these garments is generous, so an American size usually fits larger than you expect. Our T-shirt, crewneck and hoodie are all cut this way. The cap is not — it is a standard six-panel construction with a metal adjustable strap. Each product page states clearly which case applies to it.

How do I measure myself?

For a chest measurement, wrap a tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape level under your arms and across the back, and do not pull it tight. Compare that figure to the Chest column in the table — that column is already the doubled, full-circumference figure, so it matches what you measure around your body directly. For length, measure from the base of your neck to where you want the hem to sit. If you are between sizes, the size that matches your chest is the one that will fit best; the length difference between two sizes is smaller than the chest difference.

What if the cap is too big?

The cap is one size with a metal adjustable strap at the back, so the fit is tuned to you rather than to a size label. It is built for a head circumference of roughly 55–61 cm. If you measure outside that range, message us before ordering and we will confirm fit from your measurements. If a cap still does not sit right once it arrives, contact us and we will work it out with you.

Need help choosing?

If anything here is unclear, tell us your usual size in a garment you already own and we will pick for you. We answer within one business day.

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