Light-Medium compression — the safest first choice. It won't feel too tight like X-Firm or too loose like a regular undershirt. A beginner compression shirt you can wear all day.

Do not size down — it's the most common first time buyer mistake. The compression does the work at your normal size. Sizing down causes the rolling up you're trying to avoid.

Deep U-neck and racerback stay hidden under polos and button-downs. No hardware means no bumps. You'll forget you're wearing it within an hour.

X-Firm compression is built for extreme situations, not daily wear. Start with Light-Medium — the Mesh Tank gives you visible smoothing without the feeling of being squeezed. You can always go stronger later if you want more hold.

A too-small shirt rolls up, digs in, and makes you never want to wear compression again. Order your regular shirt size. The compression is built into the fabric — you don't need to size down to get the effect.

Cheap compression shirts use rough fabrics, thick seams, and inconsistent sizing. Start with a quality shirt that fits right and feels comfortable — a bad first experience with a cheap beginner compression shirt will make you think compression isn't for you when the real problem was the shirt.

This guide covers Light to Light-Medium compression for first time buyers. If you know you need stronger compression for a specific reason, see our Big Belly Compression guide. If you want a complete buying decision guide, see our Complete Buying Guide.