Alright folks, time to tackle something that drove me nuts last week – picking the right size for an Irish rugby jersey. Yeah, sounds simple, right? Man, was I wrong. Here’s exactly what I did, step by messy step.
My Old Jersey Bit the Dust
My trusty old Ireland jersey finally gave up the ghost after one too many washes – seriously, it was practically see-through near the shoulders. Time for a new one! Went online straight away, buzzing to get the new gear. Saw all the options, picked the design I wanted… then BAM. Hit the size chart. Charts. Multiple charts from different places. Suddenly felt like I needed a maths degree.
The Tape Measure Came Out
Right, no panic. Dug out the measuring tape from the junk drawer. Figured I’d measure my chest like the charts said. Pulled the tape snug under my arms where it’s widest. Wrote down the number. Easy? Nah.
First problem: Was I measuring tight? Loose? Charts didn’t say. Measured again, sorta in between.
Second problem: What about my gut? Or my shoulders? Rugby shirts are not t-shirts. They gotta move. I lift weights a bit, so my shoulders are broader than my waist measurement suggests. Charts barely mentioned shoulders. Panic rising.
The “Just Guess” Tactic (Spoiler: It Failed)
Figured maybe I’d go with my usual t-shirt size – Large. Placed the order for a Large. Waited. Excitedly ripped open the package when it arrived…
Yeah, no. Arms? Tight. Across the shoulders? Felt like I was wearing a straight jacket. Could barely lift my arms to hug my kid! Total fail. Looked like I’d borrowed my little brother’s shirt. Sent it straight back.
Operation: Sizing Experiment
Alright, time for real research. Went back online. Found a proper size chart, hopefully a reliable one. Measured myself again:
- Chest: Measured firmly but not strangling myself. Wrote it down clearly.
- Waist: Measured loosely where I usually wear my pants.
- Shoulders: Got my wife to help – measured bone to bone across the top of my back.
- My Old Size: Dug out my ancient Large jersey and measured its pit-to-pit, shoulder seam-to-shoulder seam.
Compared all these numbers to every brand’s chart I could find. Shockingly, they weren’t all the same! Some brands run big, some run small. The Irish one I wanted seemed to be on the “slightly snug” side according to forums. Good grief.
The Re-Order (The Sequel)
Based on my new measurements (especially the shoulders!) and knowing this brand liked it close-fit, I decided to go ONE SIZE UP from what just my chest measurement suggested. So, Chest said Large, gut said Large, shoulders screamed “Get an XL you dummy!” So, swallowed my pride and ordered the XL.
XL Lands – Sweet Relief!
New package arrives. Deep breath. Opened it. Pulled it on over my head… Aaahhh. YES. Sits perfectly on the shoulders. Arms move freely for tackling an invisible opponent in my living room. Chest feels supported, not squeezed. Length is spot on. It’s fitted, like a rugby jersey should be, but I can actually breathe. Victory!
The Real-World Lessons Learned the Hard Way:
- Ignore your “usual” shirt size for Rugby kits. Seriously.
- Measure like your life depends on it – chest AND shoulders at least.
- Find out if the brand runs small, big, or true. Forums are gold.
- If your body isn’t a perfect rectangle (who is?), size for the biggest part – for rugby shirts, that’s very often the shoulders and chest.
- Don’t be stubborn like me – if your shoulders are broad, size up from the chest chart, trust me.
- Accept you might return one first time. Annoying? Yep. Better than looking like a stuffed sausage.
So yeah, picking the right fit was way more work than I thought. But now I’ve got a jersey I can actually wear without feeling like the Incredible Hulk mid-rip. Happy days. Hope this saves someone else the hassle!
