Every garment I own, measured by hand, in one table. I am 6 foot 8 and 285 pounds. Everything below came off a tape in my own house, laid flat and unstretched, on a garment I bought with my own money. Nothing here is copied from a size chart, because size charts are what sent half of these back.

Twenty-six garments across nine categories so far. Each row links to the full review it came from where one exists. The table grows as I measure more — this page is the record, not a snapshot.

Why this page exists

Tall sizing is not a standard. It is three letters on a label that different companies interpret differently, and the only way to know what a garment actually measures is for somebody to put a tape on it. Almost nobody does, because it takes a purchase and twenty minutes per garment.

The clearest proof is in the polo table below: three shirts, all labelled 3XLT, three inches apart around the chest and two inches apart across the shoulder. The body length agreed within an inch. So tall sizing is broadly reliable on height and unreliable on width — and the label tells you nothing about the second part.

A note on the Buy column. It used to carry a link only for garments I kept. I have changed that, because a dash was hiding information rather than protecting anyone. It now links anything sold on Amazon, and the Note column carries the verdict right beside it — including the word Returned and the reason why. A return is one man’s verdict on one body: a coat that is too tight on me at 6′8″ and 285 lb is a coat that fits somebody else. Where a garment is not sold on Amazon, or the brand has no affiliate programme, the column still shows a dash. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; that changes nothing about the numbers, which all come off a tape in my own hands.

Tops

Polos — three brands, and one size step

GarmentLabel sizeBody backBody frontChest flat (around)ShoulderSleeveCuff / openingFabricNoteBuy
Greg Norman Polo3XLT343027.5 (55)2311.5890/10 poly-spandexBroadest shoulder and longest body of the threeAmazon →
Kohl’s FLX Polo3XLT3330.527.5 (55)22.511990/10 poly-spandexSoftest of the three; Kohl’s only
Under Armour Polo3XLT3330.2526 (52)21119100% polyesterThe trim one; narrowest cutAmazon →
Under Armour Polo4XLT34.53128 (56)21.51110100% polyesterOne size up: +1.5 body, +4 chest, sleeve unchangedAmazon →
The first three are all 3XLT. The fourth is the same Under Armour polo one size up, and it is the cleanest size-step evidence here. Chest is given flat with the around figure in brackets. None has a side vent.

Athletic tops

GarmentLabel sizeBody backBody frontChest flat (around)ShoulderSleeveCuff / openingFabricNoteBuy
Under Armour Exercise shirt3XLT32.52728 (56)raglan17.5 · 21.5 CB8.5100% polyesterRoomiest UA top measuredAmazon →
Under Armour Exercise shirt4XLT3530.530.5 (61)raglan19 · 23 CB9.25100% polyesterOne clean size step from the 3XLTAmazon →
JMierr Pullover3XLT332927 (54)raglan31.5 · 38 CB6100% polyesterLong sleeve; raglanAmazon →
Raglan tops have no shoulder seam, so no shoulder figure exists. Sleeve is given shoulder-to-cuff, then centre-back-to-cuff where both were taken.

The two Under Armour exercise shirts are the cleanest size-step evidence on this site: one garment, one brand, one step from 3XLT to 4XLT. It bought 2.5 inches of body length and 5 inches of chest. You buy width to get length, which is fine if you are broad and a problem if you are not.

Shirts

GarmentLabel sizeBody backBody frontChest flat (around)ShoulderSleeveCuff / openingFabricNoteBuy
Kecols Pocket teeXXL Tall35*30.5*27.5 (55)22.512 · 23 CB50 cotton / 50 polyReturned. Too big. A crew-neck short-sleeve pocket tee, not a work shirt. *incl collarAmazon →
Sold as a work shirt; it is the pocket-tee shape. Both body figures include the collar.

Knitwear and hoodies

GarmentLabel sizeBody backBody frontChest flat (around)ShoulderSleeveCuff / openingFabricNoteBuy
Amazon Essentials Crewneck sweater2XL Big-Tall30.52727 (54)2526.5 · 37.5 CB100% cottonRibbed hem 2.75 in – the band that grips and ridesAmazon →
Izod Crewneck sweater3XLT3128.7528 (56)2528 · 37.5 CB100% polyesterNo ribbed hemAmazon →
Amazon Essentials Crewneck sweater2XLT323227 (54)21.526.5 · 35.5 CB4100% cottonKept. Shoulder sits inside the windowAmazon →
Coofandy Crewneck sweater3XL2825.525 (50)20.525.5 · 35.5 CB4.5100% acrylicNo tall version made. Four inches short in the bodyAmazon →
Amazon Essentials Hoodie2XLT313127 (54)raglan · 37 CB5100% cottonKept. Hood opening 14 in; pouch 13 x 9.5Amazon →
The Amazon Essentials sweaters are two different garments, not one measured twice — note the shoulder figures.

Coats

GarmentLabel sizeBody backBody frontChest flat (around)ShoulderSleeveCuff / openingFabricNoteBuy
Nautica Sailing jacket2XLT322629 (58)2028 · 38 CB6.5100% polyesterReturned. A 20 in shoulder is the problemAmazon →
Nautica Wool pea coat3XT3533.529 (58)2529 · 38 CB10.559 wool / 36 polyReturned. Too big everywhere. Side vent 9 inAmazon →
BGOWATU Quilted bomberXXL30*27.2528.5 (57)22.2526.5 · 39 CB2100% polyesterReturned. Way too tight — the only plain XXL here. *incl 2.25 in hem bandAmazon →
Legendary Whitetails Waxed cotton2XT36.5*28.528 (56)2228 · 41 CB63 cotton / 37 polyReturned. Not cold-ready below the mid 20s. Hood 17 in. *incl 3.25 in collarAmazon →
Wantdo Puffer2XLT313131 (62)22.527.5 · 37.5 CB100% polyesterReturned, but the closest call. Needed one more inch. Hood 13 in. Zero front-to-back dropAmazon →
Amazon Essentials Mid-length pufferXXL Big & Tall3531*35 (70)2427.5 · 38.5 CB2100% polyesterReturned for bulk. The only one that closes over a sweater. Hood 12 in. *excl 3 in collarAmazon →
All six returned. Shoulder decided the two Nauticas, in opposite directions; the four from September failed on chest, on warmth, on an inch of room and on bulk. Sleeve is shoulder-to-cuff, then centre-back-to-cuff.

Bottoms

Jeans

GarmentLabel sizeFront riseRear riseInseamWaistband flatThigh flatLeg / cuff openingFabricNoteBuy
Amazon Essentials Slim-Fit Comfort Stretch40×3611.7535.014.5Kept. Bought twice. Under my rise window and wearableAmazon →
The Perfect Jean3812.535.016Kept. Bought twice. The rise that landed rightAmazon →
Gap Relaxed Fit4013.7520Returned. Overshot on a long torsoAmazon →
Wrangler 13MWZ4014.517Returned unworn. Sat above the natural waistAmazon →
True Classic Stretch Straight Fit40×361242Returned. Waistband 42 in on a labelled 40Amazon →
Front rise is the number that decided every one of these. Inseam figures are what the tape said, not what the label claimed.

Read the rise column, not the inseam column. Under my window is survivable — the Amazon Essentials jean sits low and I bought a second pair. Over it is not: the Wrangler went back unworn.

Chinos

GarmentLabel sizeFront riseRear riseInseamWaistband flatThigh flatLeg / cuff openingFabricNoteBuy
Amazon Essentials Skinny-Fit Washed Comfort Stretch38×36121736.02012.57.25cotton stretch twillKept. A true 36 in inseam. Runs 2 in large – size downAmazon →
A true 36 inch inseam, and a 5 inch rise differential — the biggest on this page.

Joggers

GarmentLabel sizeFront riseRear riseInseamWaistband flatThigh flatLeg / cuff openingFabricNoteBuy
Sevego Tall Inseam JoggerXL / 33141733.01812.54Kept. 33 in to the bottom of the cuffAmazon →
Sevego Tall Inseam JoggerXXL / 3514.2536.020135.75Returned. Too much fabric everywhereAmazon →
GM MGBOYGYM Active Athletic Workout Jogger2XLT13.2516.2531.516.25135The keeper. Worn over a year; still like newAmazon →
Sevego inseam is given to the bottom of the cuff. The two Sevego rows are the same brand in two sizes, which is why the return was a size problem and not a brand problem.

Shorts and tights

GarmentLabel sizeFront riseRear riseInseamWaistband flatThigh flatLeg / cuff openingFabricNoteBuy
Under Armour Exercise shorts2XL1215.58.251912.751185 poly / 15 elastaneAmazon →
Under Armour Golf shorts4012.517820.5131190 poly / 10 elastaneAmazon →
Under Armour Compression tights (relaxed)3XLT8.529.51910.55.2575 poly / 25 elastaneStretched figures in the reviewAmazon →
Under Armour Compression tights (stretched)3XLT9.7531.020.5126.575 poly / 25 elastaneStretch buys width not lengthAmazon →
CompressionZ Compression tights, ¾ (relaxed)2XL9.512157582 nylon / 18 LycraKept. Lands mid-calf. Not fully opaque — worn under shortsAmazon →
CompressionZ Compression tights, ¾ (slight tug)2XL111416.59682 nylon / 18 Lycra1.5 in band, no drawcord — the only one of the three that pushes downAmazon →
SKINS Compression tights, calf length (relaxed)2XL1213159477% polyester / 23% elastaneKept. Fully opaque. 2 in band, stays put. The link is the longer version, not this oneAmazon →
SKINS Compression tights, calf length (slight tug)2XL14151611577% polyester / 23% elastaneCold or 30 °C gentle wash per SKINS. Link is the longer versionAmazon →
DFND ACTIVE Compression tights, full length (relaxed)3XL12.513157475 nylon / 25 LycraKept. Fully opaque. Drawcord waist, stays put. Diagonal crotch seamAmazon →
DFND ACTIVE Compression tights, full length (slight tug)3XL1415169575 nylon / 25 LycraSmallest front-to-rear rise gap measured on this siteAmazon →
Tights are recorded twice, relaxed and gently stretched, because a compression garment has no single honest number. On the CompressionZ, SKINS and DFND rows the second figure is a slight tug rather than the limit of the fabric, so it is not comparable like-for-like with the Under Armour stretched figures above.

How each measurement is taken

  • Body back — centre of the collar seam at the back, straight down to the hem.
  • Body front — base of the collar at the front, down to the front hem. The gap between the two is the back drop, and it is on your side.
  • Chest, flat — seam to seam, one inch below the armhole. The around figure is simply the double.
  • Shoulder — seam to seam across the back. Raglan garments get a dash, because the seam does not exist.
  • Sleeve — shoulder seam to cuff edge, and centre-back-to-cuff where both were taken. The second one works on raglan.
  • Front rise — top of the waistband straight down to the crotch seam. On a long torso this is the number that decides the pair.
  • Inseam — crotch seam down the inside leg. On joggers, given to the bottom of the cuff.
  • Waistband, flat — relaxed, not stretched, side to side. Double it for the around figure.

What this page does not do

It does not tell you what fits you. It tells you what these garments measure, so you can compare them against something you already own and like. That is the honest limit of a tape.

It also has gaps, and I would rather name them than paper over them. There are no shoulder figures on raglan tops because no seam exists. Some rows have no fabric content where the care label had gone. Underwear and socks are missing entirely, because the numbers that matter there — leg opening against thigh, calf height — are ones no brand publishes and I have not yet measured systematically.

Where a figure has been corrected since first publication, the correction wins and the page is updated. The FLX polo chest on this page reads 27.5 inches flat because I re-measured it on 9 September 2026; an earlier figure of 28 was wrong and has been removed everywhere it appeared.

The two I would actually buy

Most of this table is evidence rather than shopping advice. Two of them are both.

The Tall Take

Amazon Essentials Skinny-Fit Washed Comfort Stretch Chino

Verdict: The casual half of this question, and a steal. Soft, reads clearly different from denim.

Fit at 6’8″, 285 lb: 38×36 — size down. The waistband measures 40 inches around on a labelled 38, so it runs about two inches large. Front rise 12 in, rear rise 17 in: low at the front, high at the back so the seat stays covered.

Measured: Inseam a true 36 in  ·  Front rise 12 in  ·  Rear rise 17 in  ·  Thigh 12.5 in flat  ·  Cuff 7.25 in flat

Price changes often — check the current price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Tall Take

Under Armour Tech Polo

Verdict: The trim one. The narrowest cut in the polo table, and the one to buy if a 3XLT usually hangs on you.

Fit at 6’8″, 285 lb: 3XLT gives the full 33 inches of body length with a 21 inch shoulder and 52 inches around the chest — three inches narrower than the other two polos on this page.

Measured: Body 33 in  ·  Chest 52 in around  ·  Shoulder 21 in  ·  100% polyester  ·  No side vent

Price changes often — check the current price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Everything else in the table is here because it was measured, not because I am recommending it. Several of these went back.