Unisex Sizing Explained: How to Pick Your Size (XS–3XL)
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Unisex sizing means one size chart fits everyone, rather than separate men's and women's cuts — Biren's tees run XS to 3XL in a single unisex fit, so you pick your size based on measurements, not gender-specific sizing conventions. If you're used to shopping gendered sizing, here's how to translate that into a unisex size that actually fits.
How Is Unisex Sizing Different From Men's or Women's Sizing?
Gendered sizing typically uses two different patterns — women's cuts run narrower through the chest and shoulders with more taper at the waist, while men's cuts run broader and boxier. Unisex sizing uses one pattern built to work across body types, sized by actual measurements (chest width, body length) rather than a gendered size label.
This is why a "size Medium" in unisex sizing won't necessarily match a women's Medium or a men's Medium — the unisex Medium is its own measurement, not an average of the two.
How Do I Convert My Usual Size to Unisex Sizing?
Skip the size label entirely and go straight to measurements — it's the only reliable conversion method.
Measure a t-shirt you already own and like the fit of: body length (shoulder seam to hem), chest width (flat, one inch below the armhole), and sleeve length (shoulder seam to sleeve edge). Compare those numbers directly against the unisex size chart rather than trying to match your usual letter size, since "Medium" means different things across brands and gendered categories.
What If I'm Between Two Sizes?
For Biren's Regular fit, size up for a slightly more relaxed result — the difference between adjacent sizes is small enough that sizing up doesn't meaningfully change the silhouette. For the Oversized fit, order your true size, since the cut already includes extra room by design, and sizing up tends to push past the intended proportions.
Does Unisex Sizing Run Larger or Smaller Than Gendered Sizing?
Neither, inherently — it depends on the specific brand and cut. Unisex sizing is a different sizing system altogether, not a scaled-up or scaled-down version of gendered sizing. This is exactly why measurement-based comparison works better than assuming your gendered size will translate directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is unisex sizing the same as "one size fits all"?
No. Unisex sizing still offers a full range of sizes (Biren runs XS to 3XL) — it just uses one pattern and one size chart across that range, rather than separate patterns for different genders.
Should I size down for a more fitted unisex look?
You can, but check the chart first rather than assuming. Sizing down changes chest width and body length by a specific, measurable amount — compare that against how you actually want the shirt to fit before deciding.
Why do brands use unisex sizing instead of separate men's and women's cuts?
It simplifies production to a single pattern and makes the fit accessible to anyone regardless of how they shop gendered categories. For graphic tees specifically, a boxier unisex cut also tends to suit oversized and streetwear styling better than a tapered gendered fit.
How accurate is measuring an existing shirt compared to measuring my body?
More accurate for practical purposes. Measuring your body gives you raw dimensions, but measuring a shirt you already like the fit of accounts for how much ease or looseness you personally prefer — which body measurements alone don't capture.
Do unisex sizes run true across different fits from the same brand?
Not necessarily. Even within one brand, different cuts (like Regular versus Oversized) can use different measurements at the same labeled size, since each fit is patterned for its own silhouette. Always check the chart for the specific fit you're ordering.
Find your exact measurements on our Regular Size Guide or Oversized Size Guide, or read our complete Size Guide for the full breakdown across both fits.