One of the easiest ways to waste money when buying football shirts is by getting the size wrong.
Unlike normal t-shirts, football shirts can fit very differently depending on the brand, the era, and whether you are buying an adult or youth size. A 1990s Umbro large will not fit the same as a modern Adidas large, and a youth XL can sometimes be mistaken for an adult small if you are not careful.
I’ve bought and sold a lot of football shirts over the years, and sizing is one of the most common things people get caught out by when buying online. This guide should help you avoid that.
Football Shirt Size Guide
This guide covers:
- How adult football shirt sizing compares across brands
- How youth football shirt sizing works
- How vintage shirts fit compared to modern shirts
- What to check before buying online
The most important rule is simple: never rely only on the size label.
Always check the era, the manufacturer, and if possible the measurements too.
Why Football Shirt Sizes Vary So Much
Football shirt sizing changes a lot depending on the manufacturer and the time period.
Some of the main reasons are:
- 1990s shirts were often cut baggier
- Modern shirts are usually more fitted
- Different brands use different size blocks
- Player issue shirts fit differently to replica shirts
- Youth shirts can sometimes fit like small adult sizes
This is why a shirt listed as Large is not always actually a true modern Large.
As a general rule:
- 1990s shirts often fit big and boxy
- 2000s shirts vary a lot depending on the brand
- modern shirts usually fit slimmer than vintage shirts
If you are buying for a collection, size also affects value. Adult Medium, Large and XL tend to be the most popular sizes. Youth shirts and very small adult sizes are usually worth less unless they are particularly rare.
If you are buying to collect rather than wear, it is worth reading my tips for buying vintage football shirts as well.
Adult Football Shirt Size Guidance
Adult shirts are normally the easiest to identify, but even here there are still differences between brands and eras.
Typical adult sizes are:
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- XL
- XXL
However, the fit can be very different.
1990s Adult Shirts
Most 1990s football shirts fit larger than modern shirts.
They were often designed with a looser, boxier fit, which is one of the reasons they are so popular now. A 1990s Large often fits more like a roomy modern XL, depending on the brand.
This is especially common with:
- Umbro
- Admiral
- Asics
- early Adidas
If you like an oversized fit, this is good news. If you want a more fitted look, you may need to size down.
2000s Adult Shirts
The 2000s are more mixed.
Nike, especially around the Total 90 era, could vary between loose and quite athletic depending on the shirt. Adidas was generally a bit cleaner and more standard, while some Puma shirts came up tighter.
This is the era where it becomes really important to check measurements if a seller has them.
Modern Adult Shirts
Modern replica shirts are usually more fitted than older shirts, but still wearable in your normal size.
Player issue shirts are different. These are usually tighter, stretchier, and designed for elite athletes rather than everyday wear.
If you are buying modern shirts, the biggest thing to watch is whether the shirt is:
- a standard fan version
- a player issue shirt
- an authentic match-spec version
If you are not sure about that, my guide on how to identify Adidas player issue shirts will help.
Youth Football Shirt Size Guidance
Youth sizes catch a lot of buyers out, especially in vintage football shirts.
It is quite common to see youth shirts listed in a way that makes them look like adult sizes. Sometimes this is accidental, sometimes it isn’t.
You should always check the label carefully.
Common youth markings include:
- Y
- LB
- MB
- SB
- Boys
- Youth XL
- Junior
A youth XL or large boys shirt can sometimes fit like a modern adult small, which is why some sellers try to pass them off as small adult shirts.
Even if the fit is similar, a youth shirt will usually be worth less than the adult equivalent.
That matters a lot if you are buying for a collection.
How Youth Sizes Usually Fit
This is not exact across all brands, but as a rough guide:
- Youth Small – young child fit
- Youth Medium – older child fit
- Youth Large Boys – can fit like a very small adult
- Youth XL – can sometimes fit like an adult small
If you are buying a youth shirt to wear, the measurements matter more than the label.
If you are buying it as an investment or collector piece, remember that adult sizes usually carry more demand.
Brand-by-Brand Football Shirt Fit Guide
Adidas Football Shirt Sizing
Adidas shirts are usually fairly consistent, especially in the modern era.
Older Adidas shirts from the 1990s can fit a little bigger and boxier than modern versions. Modern Adidas replica shirts are usually true to size, while player issue versions are noticeably slimmer.
As a rough guide:
- 1990s Adidas – roomy fit
- 2000s Adidas – fairly standard fit
- modern Adidas replica – true to size
- modern Adidas player issue – slim fit
Nike Football Shirt Sizing
Nike sizing varies more depending on the era.
Some older Nike shirts from the early 2000s feel fairly generous, while later shirts can be more athletic in the body. Modern Nike fan shirts are usually true to size, but the authentic versions can be tighter.
Total 90 era shirts are especially popular, but they do not all fit the same.
If you are buying Nike, always check photos, measurements and the exact season if possible.
Umbro Football Shirt Sizing
Umbro shirts from the 1990s are often roomy and quite boxy.
This is one of the reasons classic Umbro shirts are so wearable today. If you like that baggy vintage fit, Umbro is usually a good brand to buy.
Modern Umbro shirts are less oversized than the older ones.
Puma Football Shirt Sizing
Puma is one of the brands most likely to come up smaller or more fitted.
That is especially true with some modern shirts. If you are between sizes, it is often safer to size up with Puma.
Other Brands
Brands like Kappa, Hummel, Asics, Lotto, Diadora and Reebok can all vary depending on the era. Kappa in particular is known for a closer fit on some shirts, while older Asics shirts can be much baggier.
This is why measurements are always the safest option.
Vintage Football Shirt Fit vs Modern Fit
If you are new to vintage shirts, the biggest difference you will notice is the cut.
Vintage shirts were often made to be:
- heavier
- boxier
- wider in the sleeves
- less fitted around the chest and waist
Modern shirts are usually lighter and more shaped.
That means a vintage Large and a modern Large may both technically be a Large, but they can feel completely different when worn.
If you are buying for everyday wear, this is mainly a comfort issue. If you are buying to resell or collect, it affects value too.
Popular wearable sizes in vintage shirts are usually:
- Medium
- Large
- XL
This is one of the reasons these sizes often command a premium.
What To Check Before Buying a Football Shirt Online
If you are buying a shirt online, especially a vintage one, these are the main things I would always check:
- the labelled size
- whether it is adult or youth
- the manufacturer
- the season or era
- pit-to-pit measurement if available
- shirt length if available
If the listing is unclear, ask the seller.
It is much better to message before buying than end up with a shirt that does not fit or is not what you thought it was.
Condition matters too, so if you are unsure how sellers grade shirts, have a look at my vintage football shirt condition guide.
And if you are buying Manchester United shirts in particular, it is also worth checking my guide on how to spot fake Manchester United shirts.
Final Thoughts
Football shirt sizing is one of those things that gets easier the more shirts you buy.
After a while, you get a feel for which brands come up big, which run small, and which youth sizes can trick buyers. But when you are starting out, it is very easy to get caught out by a label alone.
If I had to give one final tip, it would be this: buy the measurements, not just the size tag.
That applies whether you are buying an adult shirt to wear, a youth shirt for value, or a rare vintage shirt for your collection.
If you are looking for shirts to buy, you can browse the latest stock in my football shirt collection.
