I bought three shirts recently, having no experience with Bridgeforth sizing. My husband typically wears a 2XL, and his favorite t-shirt is 25" across the chest just under the arms. According to the Bridgeforth Size Chart, that's a 4XL (49"-50"). That seemed a little high to me, but I went with it because as a tall and large woman who shops online, every manufacturer sizing is different and you have to go by the measurements. I bought for my husband (all size 4XL) a Perkins t-shirt ("16/1 singles"), a Golden Arch graphic t-shirt ("30/1 singles"), and the polo shirt. (I had to google what "16/1 singles" vs "30/1 singles" means. Basically, the lower the number, the thicker the shirt in this case.)
The shirts are great and I would have kept them all if the sizing was what I needed. The Perkins shirt is thicker than the graphic shirt (which is consistent with the "singles" numbers of each). I love the thicker cotton. And the polo shirt was a little thicker than the Perkins. They are all gorgeous, and the feel of the fabric is divine. But here are the approximate width measurements of each, measured from armpit to armpit (multiply by 2 to get the full chest measurement):
Perkins: 28"
Golden Arch graphic: 25.5"
Polo: 29"
I'm going to keep the Golden Arch, but return the other two. I'm bummed because I loved all three, but especially the two that I'm returning. These were meant to be Christmas presents, but the replacements won't arrive in time. I hope to buy one or both of the other two for a future birthday present.
But now I don't know what to say about the Bridgeforth Size Chart. I originally read the measurements in the size chart as garment measurements, not body measurements. But with the inconsistent chest measurements between garment types, I wonder if I interpreted that incorrectly. I wish the size chart made it really clear if the numbers are meant to be body or clothing measurements. If I were a new buyer, until they state otherwise, I would go with "body measurements." Had I done that, I probably would have purchased his usual size 2XL, although the graphic t-shirt might have ended up being too small, but the other two shirts would have been just right.
