The Mr. Derk Guide to Merz b. Schwanen Sizing
Loopwheeled on nineteen-twenties machines, cut close, and sold unshrunk. These do not run like an ordinary tee. Every style we carry is measured below, with the sizes that are in stock.
Two things before you pick a size.
They run small. Size one to one and a half up from your North American size. A medium at home is a size 6, our LG, here.
They are not pre-shrunk. Expect about three quarters of an inch of length on the tees, and closer to an inch on the sweatshirts, after the first cold wash. Every chart below is the pre-wash garment measured flat.
Loopwheeling is the reason. The fabric is knitted slowly under almost no tension on machines built in the 1920s, so it comes off relaxed and full. It tightens once, then holds. Wash cold, hang dry, and never tumble it.
Charts default to inches. Use the IN / CM buttons on any chart to switch.
215 Loopwheeled Midweight T-Shirt
The one to start with. Two-thread PRIMA knit, seamless tubular body, no side seams. The everyday weight.
Runs small. Size one to one and a half up from your North American size. A medium at home is a size 6 (LG) here. Not pre-shrunk. Expect about 3/4" (2 cm) length shrinkage after the first cold wash. Measurements below are pre-wash garment flat.
1950s Loopwheeled Lightweight T-Shirt
Single-thread knit, noticeably finer than the 215, and cut a little longer in the body. Wears well under a shirt.
Runs small. Size one to one and a half up from your North American size. A medium at home is a size 6 (LG) here. Not pre-shrunk. Expect about 3/4" (2 cm) length shrinkage after the first cold wash. Measurements below are pre-wash garment flat.
2M06 Mid-Century Long Sleeve Henley
Mother-of-pearl buttons, flat-knit cuffs, broader through the shoulder and shaped at the waist.
Runs small. Size one to one and a half up from your North American size. A medium at home is a size 6 (LG) here. Not pre-shrunk. Expect about 3/4" (2 cm) length shrinkage after the first cold wash. Measurements below are pre-wash garment flat.
3M46 Mid-Century Fleece Sweatshirt
Panelled crew neck with knit inserts at the neck and underarm. Side seams, so it is shaped rather than tubular. Starts at MM.
Runs small. Size one to one and a half up from your North American size. A medium at home is a size 6 (LG) here. Not pre-shrunk. Expect about 1" (2 to 3 cm) length shrinkage and a touch of width after the first cold wash. Measurements below are pre-wash garment flat. The 3M46 starts at MM, the smallest size this style is produced in.
Original Heavy Loopwheeled Sweatshirt
The heavyweight. Loopwheeled on the old machines and the only style we carry that runs to 3XL.
Runs small. Size one to one and a half up from your North American size. A medium at home is a size 6 (LG) here. Not pre-shrunk. Expect about 1" (2 to 3 cm) length shrinkage and a touch of width after the first cold wash. Measurements below are pre-wash garment flat.
254 Loopwheeled Boxer Brief
Loopwheeled cotton, ribbed waistband and leg cuffs. No spandex, no elastane, no synthetics at all.
Runs true to Merz sizing. Size one to one and a half up from your North American size. A medium at home is a size 6 (LG) here. Not pre-shrunk. Expect slight length shrinkage after the first cold wash. Measurements below are pre-wash garment flat.
Why we brought them in.
The full story on the loopwheeling, the Swabian factory and what separates these from an ordinary tee: read the Merz b. Schwanen guide.
For UK and EU conversions across every brand we carry, see the size conversion guide.
Still unsure between two sizes? Call the shop on 780.431.4293 and we will measure the garment on the floor for you.