In the hot summer, a T-shirt is a must-have item in your wardrobe! So, are you planning to buy a new T-shirt? Do you choose T-shirts that are versatile and easy to wear? In this article, I will teach you in detail how to choose a good cotton T-shirt from aspects such as fabric, weight, pattern and details:
Take a look Fabric
In the processing of T-shirts, raw materials are processed into yarn, and the yarn is woven into fabric. Therefore, the quality of the fabric directly determines the quality of a T-shirt. Common T-shirt fabrics and characteristics are as follows:
1. Pure cotton
Only 100% cotton can be called “pure cotton”, and pure cotton includes fine-staple cotton and long-staple cotton. Suggestion: Choose long-staple cotton T-shirts, among which our country’s Xinjiang long-staple cotton is of the best quality.
Pure cotton T-shirts feel soft and comfortable, are wear-resistant and washable, and have good anti-wrinkle properties. I highly recommend white T-shirts.
2. Blended cotton
Blended cotton is usually a fabric made from a mixture of 75% cotton and yarn from other raw materials. The main types are as follows:
(1) Cotton +Polyester fiber: The advantage of T-shirts made of this kind of fabric is that it is wrinkle-resistant and not easy to deform; the disadvantage is that it feels stuffy, easy to pill, does not absorb sweat, and has poor elasticity.
(2) Cotton + spandex: T-shirts made of this kind of fabric have elasticity and good drape; but they have poor hygroscopicity and poor heat resistance.
(3) Cotton + Tencel: This kind of fabric is good as a T-shirt, soft and drapey, and shiny; the disadvantage is that it may harden in a hot and humid environment and the skin feel is not good.
(4) Cotton + mulberry silk: The advantage of mulberry silk is that it feels comfortable on the skin and has anti-ultraviolet effect; the disadvantage is that it is easy to wrinkle and snag, so you should pay special attention to protection when wearing it.
(5) Cotton + linen: Cotton and linen blended with T-shirts can be anti-bacterial and insect-proof, moisture-absorbent and breathable, and there is no static electricity problem; however, cotton and linen T-shirts are prone to wrinkles and do not feel good on the body.
Selection suggestions: The pure cotton model is my most recommended, it is comfortable, skin-friendly and easy to care for, and the price is relatively affordable.
Second look at the technology
(1) Carded cotton
Cotton with the most common technology and the cheapest price. It is not smooth, easy to fade and has a grainy feel. Generally it will not be used directly to make T-shirts, and it is not recommended to buy T-shirts made of ordinary cotton.
(2) Combed cotton
The cloth woven from combed cotton is obviously smoother, moisture-absorbent and breathable, soft and comfortable, not prone to shrinkage and pilling, and is washable and durable. It is a type of T I recommend. shirt fabric.
(3) Mercerized cotton
Mercerized cotton is softer and more comfortable than ordinary cotton, has a silky luster, moderate elasticity, and good drape. However, mercerized cotton is thin and easy to be damaged, and the price is relatively high.
(4) Double mercerized cotton
Double mercerized cotton is generally made of long-staple cotton, which has good moisture absorption and breathability, and has better elasticity and drape than mercerized cotton. However, double mercerized cotton is also more delicate and cannot be rubbed frequently. It is also more expensive than mercerized cotton and is generally not used to make T-shirts.
Selection suggestions: Combed cotton T-shirts are the most cost-effective choice.
Third, look at the gram weight
The gram weight refers to the total weight of one square meter of fabric. Generally, the larger the gram weight value, the thicker the fabric. The heavier the cotton T-shirt, the better. It is recommended to choose according to the seasonal temperature, which is more scientific.
Selection suggestions: In spring and summer, it is recommended to choose 180-220g weight, which is more suitable, cool, breathable and not stuffy; in autumn and winter, it is recommended to choose 220-280g weight, which is warm and comfortable.
Fourth look at the count
The count determines the softness of the fabric. The higher the count, the thinner the threads, and the softer the clothes. Among them:
(1) Thick count yarn: the count is below 18, mainly used for thick fabrics, and is generally not used on T-shirts;
(2) Medium count yarn: the count is between The 19-29 count range is mainly used for knitted clothing with general requirements and can generally only be worn outside;
(3) Fine count yarn: Any count above 30 counts is called fine count yarn. Mainly used for close-fitting clothing and other high-end clothing.
Selection suggestions: It is recommended to choose cotton T-shirts in the range of 40-80 counts, which will be more suitable. If the number is less than 40, it will not feel good on the skin, and if it is higher than 80, the price will be too expensive.
