Spotlight Magazines Spotlight on Mansfield South, Nottingham July 2015 | Page 14

Spotlight Magazine T-Shirt Tips T-shirts have come a long way from the undergarments they once were. They were introduced by the U.S Navy more than a century ago, and then became a staple item for manual workers. In the 1950s, the T-shirt was popularized in Hollywood by James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, and Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire and The Wild One. In the decades that followed, tees became more popular with both men and women. Today T-shirts are the most commonly purchased men’s clothing item. On average, each American owns about 15 of them, according to a recent survey of 6,000 men and women by trade group Cotton Inc. Cotton prices are rising though, so manufacturers have looked for cheaper alternatives. Many modern tees are made of low-quality cotton or cotton-blends. I’m sure I’m not the only person to be frustrated by a T-shirt which lost its shape after one wash, or bags in the wrong places after a couple of wears. When designers talk about tees they talk about fit, thickness, drape, and a T-shirt’s ability to hold its shape. These qualities are more often found in slightly pricier T-shirts. brand isn’t using plied yarns, which are two single yarns twisted together to offer better strength, lustre and uniformity. If a shirt starts to lose its shape or stretch, it could be due to the lack of strength of the seams, insufficient twist in the yarn, or too few stitches per inch. The Good T-Shirt Guide Before buying: Check the seams, neckband, and hem. They should all lie flat and look smooth. Pay attention to the shoulder seams. Make sure that they are symmetrical. Avoid tees with tight or wrinkled underarm seams. This is a sign of poor construction. Check the weight of the fabric. Unless the T-shirt is of the “tissue tee” sort that’s supposed to be really sheer and meant to layer, women will generally want to be sure that the fabric is heavy enough to conceal their bra. Pull the shirt over your hand to check for transparency. Look for the most flattering neckline. V-necks flatter large chests, scoop necks elongate the neck, and crew necks enhance small busts. So what can we look for on a label that indicates a good quality T-shirt? Look for extra-long-staple cotton, plied yarns, mercerized cotton, combed cotton, Supima cotton, and ring-spun cotton. Those terms generally suggest the cotton will be more durable and more lustrous. If a tee starts to show signs of deterioration after having been washed according to the care instructions, it could mean the 14 www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • [email protected]