Merz beim Schwanen
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Great discussion, gang. I wasn't aware that much shrinkage was part of the Merz shirts. It sounds like if I want a proper fitting, I'd best head into my local Self Edge and try some on.
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@Bobcat-Sig I'm just noticing this recent convo and can chime in because I own quite a few Merz things. Their sizing is indeed weird.
The biggest key I can say is to look for whether or not something is described as Classic or Relaxed Fit. I'm 6'2, between 195-200lbs, and I wear an XL in 2-thread shirts. The bulk of stuff I own from them is either tees or henleys in the 2-thread, and I've always been that size. I do have a heavyweight long sleeve henley, which falls under Relaxed Fit, and I wear an L in that one.
Lastly, to make things nice and confusing, I wear an XXL in the 50s tees. For the most part I've never really noticed too much shrink in Merz stuff aside from maybe a little, but I religiously wash everything on cold. The only exception to that is once again the 50s tees, which I noticed did shrink a good bit after the first wash.
Oh and one more thing: I'd highly advise against buying any of their henleys that are the 102 "Maco-Imit" material, which is a mixture of cotton and viscose. Total garbage. Weird fit, strange material, freaks out and loses shape in the wash, not to mention pricier than most of their other shirts.
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@popvulture Very helpful, thank you. How do you tend to size in normal sizing? Are you typically an L in most things or an XL?
For example, I'm M in nearly anything. In Iron Heart shirts, I'm L or XL, depending on how the shirt fits. I also vary widely in terms of selvage denim; anywhere from 30 to 34. I slot in at 32 for most mainstream pants.
Does Merz fit vary like the denim I mentioned? Sounds like it might.
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@Bobcat-Sig it definitely varies — a customer service rep from Merz told me that this can happen due to those old loopwheel machines. I’ve never had it be too drastic as in a shirt being a whole size off, but I’ve definitely XL henleys that were either a little small or big. Going to Self Edge is a great idea, as the only true way to know is to try them on.
To answer your question about size, I’m a L in every “normal” shirt or jacket, save for the occasional thing that runs too big or small. Those are rare though. In IH tops I’m almost always an XL, but I’ve gotten an L in a couple things like CPOs that tend to run a bit big sometimes.
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@Bobcat-Sig you’re welcome! And I agree — it’s an endless resource and even better community
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@Marc2706 Thanks! So far very comfortable and form fitting. Definitely beats those Hanes tees I’ve been wearing.
