Back in the day, all T-shirts were cut from the same cloth. And that cloth was made from cotton.
Which is great because cotton breathes well and it’s comfortable. But in today’s world of fashion and fabrics, it’s no longer the only game in town.
In fact, you can practically make an amazing T-shirt from any type of material. Which is great because we believe you should have options to help you look and feel your best.
Keep reading to discover which are the best fabric types for your comfort and style.
While there are definitely other types of materials offered on the market, many people still swear by cotton. That’s because cotton is a sturdy fabric and feels soft.
Cotton is also affordable and works perfectly for different types of shirts. It’s one downside is that it does wrinkle.
But did you know that there is more than one type of cotton we can choose from? Let’s take a look at the various types of cotton we can make the best T-shirts with.
Combed cotton is a bit more expensive than basic cotton but it’s also really soft. That’s because the cotton fibers are specially treated before they’re spun into yarn.
Organic cotton production maintains soil fertility. Fewer fertilizers and pesticides are used to grow the cotton.
The upside is the environment wins. The downside is that it costs more. But between its super soft feel and the knowledge that you’re doing the planet some good, it’s worth it.
Supima cotton is 100% American grown. This type of cotton is very soft and durable.
Considered among the highest quality of cotton available, you’ll love how it resists pilling, fading, and stretching. After you wash, you’ll notice the only change is how much softer it feels.
You’ll love slub cotton because it’s a unique fabric with texture to it. It’s also light, airy, and won’t cling to your body.
Since this cotton looks as though there are slight lumps in the fabric, ironing is not required. It’s designed to look twisted and knotty.
While there are plenty of cotton choices available, they aren’t the only game in town. There are other types of fabric that work great with T-shirts.
Each different type has its own look and style. Let’s take a look at what else is available.
Some of the best T-shirts are made from linen. Linen has a textured weave because it’s made from the flax plant.
That makes it lightweight, breathable, and as it wicks moisture, it’s a great fabric to wear in the summer months. Linen actually gets stronger when it’s damp.
With each washing, linen becomes softer.
But if you hate ironing, you might want to avoid linen as it wrinkles incredibly easily.
Most of us immediately think of the brand name Spandex when we hear the term lycra. It’s a stretchy material often added to T-shirts and other clothing which gives the material a bit more “give”.
You’ll often find lycra in athletic clothing as the material allows for easy movements.
Polyester reminds some of us of the 1970s. It was used widely back then but it’s still a popular fabric.
That’s because polyester is a really strong fabric. It dries quickly and can’t mold or mildew.
Those who hate chores like laundry and ironing will love polyester. It’s easy to wash and dry and will still retain its shape after repeated washings.
It also won’t shrink or stretch and it doesn’t need ironing.
For those who love silk but not the price tag, rayon is a great alternative. It’s made from a man-made fiber created from trees, cotton, and plants.
Manufacturers weave or knit rayon into a silky, breathable fabric that drapes easily. Rayon is great for dying and is highly absorbent.
Is rayon stretchy? Yes, but it’s a weak fabric that can shrink or stretch over time if not handled properly. It’s best to dry-clean rayon. Also, watch out, it wrinkles easily.
Modal is a form of rayon made from beechwood plant fibers. That gives it a beautiful drape and a slinky feel.
You’ll love how cool modal feels to the touch. And it dries quickly after getting wet, making it a great choice in the summer for the best T-shirts.
Modal is fade and shrink-resistant. It also stays soft and doesn’t pill as quickly as regular rayon does.
Often the different types of shirts you see sold in a store contain two or three different materials known as blends.
Combining two or more fabrics allows the best qualities to emerge making the best T-shirts that feel great and last forever.
The most popular is a cotton and polyester blend. The cotton remains cool and light while the polyester makes the shirt strong and wrinkle-resistant.
A blend is a good choice if you’re planning on turning your plain T-shirts into something much cooler.
Did you know the best T-shirts come in weaves as well? Let’s learn about how weaves affect the fabric.
A plain weave cotton wrinkles easily. It’s also less absorbent than other weaves.
This type of weave is best for types of shirts worn on cooler days or in a work environment.
Similar to the plain weave, the end-on-end weave alternate colors which create a heathered effect. These types of fabric are a good lightweight choice for warm weather.
A Voile weave is a soft, sheer, and light fabric. You’ll find these types of fabric is great in hot weather because it breathes.
Try a twill weave if you’re looking for a wrinkle-resistant fabric that’s easy to care for. These types of fabric also come in several varieties like herringbone, chino, denim, houndstooth, gabardine, and cavalry.
Oxford weave is a popular shirt material. These types of shirts feel smoother and silkier than other fabrics. It’s also more expensive.
Mr Jack(GM)
We woven fabrics manufacturer from china over 16 years,we weave/dye/print ourselves.
Any woven fabrics inquiries please contact us
We supply one-stop full series woven fabrics service.
Mob/whatsapp/wechat:+8615988150362
Mail: director@sixdragontextile.com
Hangzhou Six Dragon Textile Co.,ltd
http://www.sixdragontextile.com
Contact: Jack Wang
Phone: +86-15988150362
E-mail: gm@sixdragontextile.com
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