Video Game Merch Sizing FAQ: Shrinkage, Fit, and Unisex Cuts

Quick answer

Most game shirts are 100% cotton, so expect a small amount of shrinkage after the first wash, especially if you use hot water or a hot dryer. Unisex cuts run straighter and longer than women's cuts, so measure a shirt you already like and compare it to the size chart rather than guessing from your usual size.

Sizing questions are the number one reason people hesitate before buying game merch online. You cannot try it on, the size chart uses numbers, and every brand seems to cut things a little differently. This FAQ answers the specific questions that come up most often so you can order once and get it right.

The short version: fabric content and cut style matter more than the label on the tag. A 100% cotton unisex tee and a 100% cotton long-sleeved shirt from the same store can fit differently, and both may change slightly after washing. Here is what to check before you add anything to your cart.

Do game shirts shrink?

Yes, most 100% cotton game shirts shrink a little, typically in length more than width. The amount depends on the fabric, the water temperature, and how you dry it. Cold wash and low tumble dry or hang dry keeps shrinkage minimal. Hot water and a hot dryer will shrink a cotton shirt more noticeably, sometimes by half a size or more.

If a shirt is a cotton blend, it will usually shrink less because the synthetic fiber helps hold the shape. The product listing will tell you the fabric content. When in doubt, size up if you are between sizes and plan to machine dry, or stay true to size and hang dry.

• Wash 100% cotton shirts in cold water to limit shrinkage.
• Hang dry or use low heat to preserve length.
• Tie-dyed shirts should be washed separately before wearing to avoid color bleeding.

What does unisex fit actually mean?

Unisex fit means the shirt is cut for a straighter, boxier silhouette rather than a curved or fitted one. It is not simply a men's shirt. Compared to a women's cut, a unisex tee usually has wider shoulders, a longer body, and a straighter hem. Many people size down one from their women's size for a closer fit, or stay true to size for a relaxed look.

Some game shirts use a boxy fit on purpose. That is a deliberate cut, not a sizing error. If a listing says boxy fit, expect a shorter, wider body than a standard unisex tee. Check the size chart for chest and length measurements, and compare those numbers to a shirt you already own.

• Unisex is a cut, not a gender label.
• Size down for a fitted look, stay true for relaxed.
• Boxy fit runs wider and shorter than standard unisex.

How do I measure for a shirt without trying it on?

Take a shirt you already like the fit of and lay it flat. Measure across the chest from one armpit seam to the other, then double that number for the full chest measurement. Measure from the highest point of the shoulder to the bottom hem for body length. Compare those numbers to the size chart on the product page.

Do not rely on the size you wear in one brand. A medium in one cut can match a large in another. The chest and length numbers are the only reliable comparison. If you are between two sizes, think about how you want the shirt to fit: closer to the body or roomier. That preference decides it.

• Measure a shirt you own, not your body, for the closest match.
• Chest and length are the two numbers that matter most.
• Between sizes? Choose based on how you want it to fit.

Why do long-sleeved shirts fit differently from tees?

Long-sleeved shirts often use a different garment model than short-sleeved tees, even when both are 100% cotton. Sleeve length and shoulder width can vary more than body length. If you have long arms, check whether the size chart lists sleeve measurements. If it does not, that is a limitation of the listing, not a sign the shirt will not fit.

Layering changes the equation too. A long-sleeved shirt worn under a jacket or over a tee needs a little extra room. If you plan to layer, consider staying true to size rather than sizing down. For a standalone fit, your usual size is usually right.

• Check for sleeve measurements if arm length is a concern.
• Size up slightly if you plan to layer over another shirt.
• Long-sleeved and short-sleeved cuts are not interchangeable.

Should I size up for a looser fit or size down for a tighter one?

Size up if you want a relaxed, streetwear-style fit or plan to machine dry cotton. Size down if you want a closer fit and the shirt is a standard unisex cut. For boxy fits, sizing down usually gets you back to a normal length without losing too much width.

There is no universal rule because cuts vary. The most reliable approach is to compare the size chart to a shirt you already own. If the chart is missing measurements you need, that is a real limitation. In that case, choose the size you wear most often in similar fabrics and cuts.

• Size up for relaxed fits or if you machine dry on high heat.
• Size down for a closer fit in standard unisex cuts.
• When the chart is incomplete, default to your most common size.

Sizing FAQ quick reference

Will my cotton shirt shrink?

Yes, 100% cotton shrinks slightly, mostly in length. Cold wash and low or hang dry keeps it minimal. If you are between sizes and plan to machine dry, size up.

How does unisex fit compare to women's fit?

Unisex is straighter and longer with wider shoulders. It is a cut, not a gender label. Size down one for a fitted look, stay true for relaxed.

What is the fastest way to pick a size?

Measure a shirt you already own across the chest and from shoulder to hem, then compare to the size chart. Chest and length numbers beat brand size labels every time.

How real listings handle fit and fabric

• Bonfire Ritual: This official Cult of the Lamb shirt is printed on special tie-dyed, 100% cotton shirts from Dyenomite and should be washed separately before wearing to avoid color bleeding issues. Tie-dyed cotton can bleed, so wash it alone the first time. Expect the same slight cotton shrinkage as other 100% cotton tees, and follow the separate-wash instruction to protect the dye.
• Atsu's Bounty: This official Ghost of Yotei t-shirt is a 100% cotton shirt with a special, boxy fit and raw-hemmed fabric patches on the front and back. Boxy fit runs wider and shorter than a standard unisex tee. If you want a closer fit, size down. If you like a relaxed streetwear look, stay true to size.
• Kindred Souls Long-Sleeved Shirt: This official Hollow Knight long-sleeved shirt features three print locations on soft, 100% cotton garments from Port & Company, in unisex sizes S-4X. Three print locations mean the fabric has less stretch across the body. If you plan to layer it, stay true to size rather than sizing down, and expect normal cotton shrinkage.

Sizing game merch comes down to fabric and cut, not guesswork. Check the cotton content, note whether the fit is standard or boxy, and compare the size chart to a shirt you already own. That three-step check prevents most returns and gets you a shirt you actually wear.