Of the 100 billion items of clothing sold each year in the world, these are the t-shirts that climb to the top of the podium. Produced in hundreds of millions of copies every year, the basic of basics is quite simply the number 1 item in the textile industry . Beyond its socio-ecological impacts, this frenetic production leads to another problem: the difficulty of identifying a quality t-shirt among the masses. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to recognize a good t-shirt and allow you to invest wisely.
Source from trusted brands.
Behind the price of a t-shirt , there are a certain number of associated costs: purchase of raw materials, partner remuneration, brand and workshop margin, overheads, transport costs, etc. Consequently, a (very) low amount can only be obtained at the cost of neglecting the elements mentioned above, most often with disregard for human and environmental rights. Unsurprisingly, we therefore advise you not to buy from fast-fashion brands and invite you to prefer responsible , trustworthy brands . To give you an idea, a new t-shirt for less than €25-30 is very unlikely to have been designed and produced ethically.
Favor natural materials.
In direct contact with the epidermis, nothing beats a natural material . T-shirts are worn next to the skin, so we suggest you choose a hypoallergenic ecological fiber such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp or even ramie. For information, some of them are subject to labels covering social and environmental requirements which guarantee virtuous production conditions. For example, our organic cotton t-shirts are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards) certified , ensuring responsible growing, harvesting and processing conditions.
Furthermore, it is possible to combine several natural materials to adjust the properties of the fabric. At Hast, it is precisely with this in mind that we mixed cotton and linen to combine the softness and flexibility of the first and the breathability of the second. With 70% cotton and 30% linen, our summer t-shirts combine the best of both fibers for a unique feel and performance.
Watch the weight.
On a t-shirt, the weight corresponds to the weight of the material per square meter. Generally speaking, the heavier and denser a t-shirt is, the stronger and more durable it is . However, the spinning technique, raw material and knitting also come into play. For a 4-season t-shirt with a life expectancy worthy of the name, we advise you to avoid weights less than 140 g/m2 , which are definitely too thin and prone to twisting. Likewise, knitwear weighing more than 250 g/m2 will be of no use to you between May and September due to their thickness. Finally, models displaying a weight between these two values seem interesting to us. At Hast, it is precisely this window that we have targeted with 160 g/m2 organic cotton T-shirts and 235 g/m2 cotton-linen T-shirts . The ideal compromise between strength , versatility and durability .
Pick colors that you won't get tired of.
Another important parameter on the t-shirt: its color. If everyone has in mind the cult white model on the shoulders of Marlon Brando, James Dean and Steve McQueen, it is understood that progress in dyeing has opened up the field of possibilities in terms of colors . By browsing the shelves of our collections , you will have plenty of time to realize this by discovering particularly effective muted shades.
The t-shirts from our new spring-summer 2023 collection were made and colored using the Garment Dye technique. A technique which consists of dyeing the garment once made, as opposed to the traditional method which is to make the garment in already dyed fabric. The advantage of this technique? A greater choice of color for the season . In addition, the colors obtained have a slight faded appearance , more authentic . This technique was also used for our chinos , work jackets and shorts , the colors blend together perfectly.
From the essential blues and grays to the more adventurous plum, yellow and ocher, you will definitely find the right shades to brighten up your outfits. Alone or accompanied, these tones inspired by nature will allow you to enhance any look by playing on contrasts or complementarities, monochromes or color blocks. Examples? All you had to do was ask!
- Tucked into ecru pleated pants , consider our timeless forest green t-shirt in organic cotton with ecru embroidery to give it a well-deserved touch.
- With beige cotton-linen chinos , a pale pink or plum would respond wonderfully to the tender lightness of brown.
- Accompanied by ecru pleated pants , a nautical blue or navy blue would offer you a most harmonious contrast.
- In the middle of a blue formal jacket , you could just as easily rely on the sobriety of white as on the vitality of an emerald; depending on the circumstances and your mood.
In all these cases (and many others), you could also trust two new products of which we are not a little proud: the “no-dye” t-shirt which has not undergone any dyeing treatment and our soberly assertive embroidered models.
Take a look at the maintenance tips.
Before and/or after purchase, it is essential to consult the recommendations indicated on the label to properly care for your (future) t-shirt. This is all the more important as this garment is one of those that needs to be cleaned most frequently. Between us, these are very often the same: machine washing at 30°C , moderate spinning at 600 rpm maximum , drying in the open air away from sunlight and That's it. These recommendations may vary slightly depending on the composition of the piece, we still suggest that you be careful: remember that the lifespan of your garment largely depends on it.
Up to you.
Billions of t-shirts are created every year, and finding the right fit in this ocean of clothing is like a treasure hunt. By looking at the parameters we have just listed (brand, material, weight, color and care instructions), there is no doubt that you will be able to find your way to the sacred Grail. A way to consume with confidence and awareness to buy a t-shirt that suits you, in every sense of the word.
