T-SHIRT MATERIALS
T-shirts are often our go-to item – we wear them for hanging out at the house, for a casual day/night out, while working out or running errands, to make a statement or simply because we love T-shirts. One of the things most important factors when deciding which T-shirt to buy is how it FEELS. There’s nothing worse than a scratchy T-shirt.
QUESTION: if you’re buying a T-shirt online, how will you know what it feels like?
ANSWER: Read the description of the T-shirt. There should be something written in the description section of the product detail.
For example, We use Next Level Apparel for our Short Sleeve designed T-Shirts and we use the manufacturer’s description of them:
“… This shirt weighs 4.3oz, made of 60/40 combed ringspun cotton/polyester, set-in CVC 1 x 1 baby rib collar and side seams”.
So what does that MEAN? This guide will go through the most popular materials used for T-Shirts and give you an idea of how it will feel!
100% cotton (regular cotton) – Cotton is made from soft vegetable fibers that are twisted together to make yarn, which is then woven to make material.
o This shirt tends to be heavier than blends like poly/ cotton
o Soft feeling
o Is hypoallergenic — so it doesn’t cause allergies or skin irritation
o Not as form fitting as other materials
o Tends to wear out and rips more easily than other materials
o Is such a breathable product, so it’s perfect to wear when it is hot outside (however it does not dry quickly so if you sweat a lot, it could hold in the moisture from your sweat)
o They take longer to dry and if dried on high, they can shrink
100% ringspun cotton – Ring-spun yarn is made by twisting and thinning the cotton strands to make a very fine, strong, soft rope of cotton fibers
o These shirts are more durable and last longer than regular cotton shirts
o Ringspun cotton feel heavier to the touch than regular cotton, even though it isn’t
o Softer than 100% cotton, with a higher-end feel
o Does not shrink as much as an average 100% cotton shirt
100% combed ringspun cotton – Cotton fibers are spun then combed through to remove impurities while ensuring it stays soft to the touch.
o Combed cotton is an extremely soft cotton because the cotton fibers are specially treated before they are spun into yarn
o This material has a beautiful sheen due to its long fibers
o Beware – Combed cotton will shrink if it is exposed to heat. This means it should never be washed in hot water or dried in a hot dryer
100% cotton jersey – Jersey is single-knitted, not woven, cotton fabric that’s known for its stretch and softness.
o There is a natural elasticity without using stretch fibers like elastane
o This material is a very absorbent and breathable fiber
o Jersey fabric does not wrinkle easily because its characteristic stretch lets it keep its shape
o The fabric is usually light-to-medium weight
o While jersey does have a tendency to shrink, shrinkage can be avoided by washing in cold water or washing by hand and air-drying or tumble drying on the low setting
100% Polyester – This material is a man-made fabric and not a natural choice such as silk, cotton, or wool. The fibers can be woven or knitted to create the fabric, although knitted will maximize its flexibility.
o It is resistant to shrinking, stretching, wrinkling
o The fibers used to create polyester are very strong yet lightweight
o It retains its shape very well
o Polyester clothing tends to feel slippery, almost silky to touch
o This material is prone to static build-up
o This material will make you hot, as it does not absorb moisture well
Cotton/poly blends – This is a blend of natural cotton and synthetic polyester.
o Poly/cotton blends have the benefits of both fabrics; strong, durable, wrinkle-resistant, and far more breathable than 100% polyester
o This fabric can be worn more often and washed more often than 100% cotton without worrying about the material losing its durability
o Poly/cotton is also soft and light due to the fiber blend
o Blends of 65% cotton and 35% blend or the 50/50 blend are more versatile and durable and maintain their shape and colors longer than 100% cotton or 100% polyester
o CVC – (Chief Value Cotton) – This is a blend of cotton and polyester, with cotton making up over 50% of the blend
o TC – This is a blend of polyester and cotton, with polyester making up over 60% of the blend
o This material is popularly used for athletic apparel
Eco Smart – 100% recycled plastic polyester fibers – Made for the environmentally-conscious consumer, this Mechanical recycling uses plastic bottles that are washed, shredded, turned back into a polyester chip, and then go through the traditional fiber making process.
o There is still considerable controversy about whether putting recycled plastic bottle fiber into clothing is healthy. For instance, not all plastic is BPA free.
Tri-blend – Tri blend T shirts are made from a blend of three fibers: cotton, polyester, and rayon (which is made of cellulose fibers providing a moisture-absorbent material).
o This blend is VERY SOFT and lightweight
o The cotton portion of the tri blend makes the fabric breathable and durable
o The polyester also makes the fabric durable
o The rayon creates a nice drape
o The typical blend is50% polyester, 25% cotton, and 25% rayon.
o These T shirts are less likely to shrink than 100% cotton
So there you have it. Now, when buying a T-shirt you’ll know what to look for when deciding on the type of T-shirt you want or need based on the softness, breathability, and structure properties. Also which shrink more than others. The purpose of the shirt: family reunion, work uniform, sporting event,
MANY Thanks to @tshirthelpdesk for teaching ME about the importance of T-shirt materials. And below, as shown on The Adair Group Website, here’s a quick recap of the pros and cons of each Material.
