T-shirts are made of different kinds of fabrics. Each kind has its own characteristics and own advantage and advantages. Choosing the right one for your own use can help you enjoy the quality and comfort of your clothes. T-shirts are a staple garment for all kinds of people. There could be no person, in this lifetime, who has not worn a t-shirt at least once. Men, women, adults and children wear t-shirts.

The T-shirts are comfortable and casual. Anybody can wear them, of course with consideration of the appropriateness of the occasion. It would not be proper to wear t-shirts, no matter how comfortable and chic they are, in weddings, cocktails, or a formal event. Still, just like any apparel, these are worn in proper places and occasions.

Fabric

The fabric used is paramount to the quality of t-shirts. It also matters in its designs and prints. Some are super design and print friendly, while some need more special handlings. If you know the difference in fabrics used to make t-shirts, you can make better decisions relative to the creation and care of a good t-shirt. Click here to learn more about fabrics and textiles.

Cotton

Cotton is the most common fabric used in making t-shirts. There are also different types of cotton that are used in creating this clothing.

• Combed cotton – this is after the fabric is rid of short strands and combed to straighten the fiber strands. It becomes smoother, softer, and stronger; this kind is good for printing.
• Organic cotton – is a popular option, it is comfortable and softer. It is also more expensive, softer, more comfortable and a preferred option. It cost more than regular cotton.
• Pima cotton – is said to have the highest quality. Fibers are extra-long fibers that make very soft fabrics. It is durable and will resist fading, stretching, and pilling.
• Slub cotton – is created before weaving cotton. It is unique, airy and light. Fabrics made of this need no ironing.

Advantages of cotton fabrics are as follows:

• The material is natural;
• The source is renewable;
• It is good for those who have sensitive skin;
• It is breathable so it is not warm to the skin;
• It is soft.

The advantages are:

• Production is expensive;
• It needs more water during production;
• Growing it needs land;
• Products made of cotton are more expensive for customers.

Other Fabrics

• Linen – comes from flax plant (Linum usitatissimum) which is intentionally cultivated for its fiber, as discussed in https://www.britannica.com/plant/flax. It has a textured weave and is best for summer clothes because it is lightweight and breathable, it dries of moisture quickly, but it can easily wrinkle.
• Polyester – this dries quickly and is not prone to mildew. It can maintain its shape without being stretched. This is often used in athletic clothes. It is synthetic and has nylon, acrylic, and acetate in it. It is fast dry and durable; cost-effective, flexible, can blend nicely with cotton, and it is recyclable.
• Rayon – this is also used in athletic clothes and is affordable than silk but it can be an alternative. It is made of fiber made from trees, cotton, and plants. It is breathable, silky to the touch and drapes with less effort. It also is dye friendly and is absorbent.
• Lycra – in reality, is Spandex. It is used to made t-shirts more stretchy and is found in athletic wear more than anywhere else. It allows moving so easy.

Costs

Manufacturing fabrics are costly so products are therefore expensive. But some manufacturers cut corners to keep their prices down. Either they pay their workers with low wages or skip steps in the process of manufacturing. Forcibly low-priced fabrics create affordable t-shirts, but they compromise the quality of the product. This is often noticeable after several washes. This also means some factory workers were oppressed and unjustly paid. Realizing all these, perhaps you are wondering now how much wages were cut off form how many workers.

Some individuals always go for famous brands and whatever is in the current trends. But do we know if the fabrics used in these clothes are of good quality or not? What is meant here is that, expensive does not always mean quality, and quality products do not always have to be expensive. There are many small manufacturers and designers that offer products with so much more quality than the famous brands but do not cost as much as the price of the branded ones. You just have to be an intelligent buyer.
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