The simplest way to know whether a t-shirt fabric is of high or low, quality, is its built quality. If it is made of thin threads then it is considered as low quality shirt. Thick fabric knit tshirts are high quality ones. In-fact high quality t-shirts weigh 160 gsm to 190 gsm. This is considered as superior quality and durable in nature. But there is another category called premium quality which weighs above 200gsm.
Now, the specifications we discussed above is one of the ways to find a high quality t-shirt. Now, what about the case when you don’t find the weight specifications in the t-shirt label. Then what should you do?
We have many solutions. So follow the tips below.
1. Touch test:
Feeling the fabric is one of the most effective ways to assess quality. High-quality T-shirts usually feel soft, smooth, and substantial to the touch.
What next, you can do is, gently stretch the fabric in different directions. Quality T-shirts should stretch slightly and return to their original shape quickly. Poor quality shirts may overstretch or become misshapen.
Lower quality shirts might feel rough, thin, or flimsy.
2. Visual inspection:
Look closely at the fabric. Quality T-shirts should have an even, tight knit without visible holes or inconsistencies. The color should be uniform, and the shirt should look well-constructed.
For a better test, you can hold the shirt up to a light source. Better quality T-shirts, especially in lighter colors, should not be overly transparent. Thinner, lower quality fabrics will allow more light to pass through.
3. Check the stiches:
Check the seams and stitching. Quality T-shirts have straight, even seams with small, consistent stitches. Look for areas like shoulder seams and necklines. These are called stress points. Look for the stiches at these areas.
The next thing you can do is rubbing a small area of the fabric between your fingers or against a rough surface. Quality fabrics should resist pilling (the formation of small balls of fibers on the surface).
4. Drape Test:
The drape test is a simple way to check if a T-shirt is good quality.
Here’s how it works:
Hang the shirt on a hanger, then lift the bottom part of the shirt (where your arms would go) with your hands.
Let go and watch how it falls.
If the shirt drops smoothly and doesn’t get wrinkly, it’s probably high quality.
But if it crumples up or gets very wrinkled when you let it go, it’s likely not as good.
This test shows how well the shirt will look when you wear it – a good shirt should hang nicely on your body without lots of wrinkles.
5. Print Quality:
When buying a T-shirt, the colors and prints also talk about their quality.
Printed shirts often fade or crack after washing, which can be frustrating.
If you have a choice between a plain shirt and a printed one at the same price, it’s usually better to go for the plain one.
This is because adding prints costs money, so manufacturers might cut corners on fabric quality or construction to keep the price the same as a plain shirt.
As a result, the plain shirt is likely to be made with better materials and last longer. In short, if the prices are equal, a plain shirt is often the smarter choice for better overall quality.
Final Words:
Low-quality T-shirts often don’t hold up well. They might lose their shape, fade quickly, or develop holes after just a few washes. This means you end up wasting money because you have to replace them more often.
On the other hand, high-quality T-shirts are a much better investment. They’re made with better materials and construction, so they keep their shape and color longer. You can wear and wash them many times without them wearing out.