Of the 100 billion items of clothing sold worldwide each year, these are 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 induces another problem: the difficulty of identifying a quality T-shirt among the masses. In this article, we will give you some tips to recognize a good T-shirt and allow you to invest with full knowledge of the facts.
Shop from brands you trust.
Behind the price of a T-shirt , there are a certain number of associated costs: purchase of raw materials, remuneration of partners, margin of the brand and workshops, overheads, transport costs, etc. As a result, a (very) low amount can only be obtained at the cost of negligence on the elements mentioned above, most often in disregard of human and environmental rights. Unsurprisingly, we therefore advise you not to buy from fast-fashion brands and invite you to prefer responsible brands worthy of trust . 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 skin, nothing beats a natural material . Since T-shirts are worn next to the skin, we suggest you choose a hypoallergenic ecological fiber such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp or ramie. For your information, some of them are subject to labels that include social and environmental requirements that guarantee virtuous production conditions. For example, our organic cotton T-shirts are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards) certified , ensuring responsible conditions of cultivation, harvesting and processing.
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 have mixed cotton and linen to combine the softness and flexibility of the former with the breathability of the latter. 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 grammage 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, the raw material and the knitting also come into play. For a 4-season T-shirt with a life expectancy worthy of the name, we advise you to avoid grammages lower than 140 g/m2 , which are definitely too thin and prone to twisting. Similarly, knits exceeding 250 g/m2 will be of no use to you between May and September due to their thickness. Finally, models displaying a grammage between these two values seem interesting to us. At Hast, it is precisely in this window that we have aimed with organic cotton T-shirts of 160 g/m2 and cotton-linen T-shirts of 235 g/m2 . The ideal compromise between resistance , 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 the progress of dyeing has opened 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 have been made and colored using the Garment Dye technique. A technique that consists of dyeing the garment once it has been made, unlike the traditional method of making the garment from already dyed fabric. The advantage of this technique? A greater choice of colors over the season . In addition, the colors obtained have a slightly faded , more authentic appearance. This technique has also been 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 ochre, you will necessarily find the right shades to brighten up your outfits. Alone or accompanied, these tones inspired by nature will allow you to awaken 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 organic cotton t-shirt with ecru embroidery to give it a well-deserved echo.
- With beige cotton-linen chinos , a pale pink or plum would perfectly complement the tender clarity of the brown.
- Paired with ecru pleated pants , nautical blue or navy blue would offer you a most harmonious contrast.
- Amidst a blue formal jacket , you could just as easily bet 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 that we are very proud of: the "no-dye" t-shirt that has not undergone any dye treatment and our soberly assertive embroidered models.
Take a look at the care tips.
Before and/or after purchase, it is essential to consult the recommendations indicated on the label to properly maintain your (future) t-shirt. This is all the more important since this garment is one of those that must be cleaned most frequently. Between you and me, these are very often the same: machine wash at 30°C , moderate spin at 600 rpm maximum , air dry away from sunlight and that's it. These recommendations may vary slightly depending on the composition of the item, but we still suggest that you be careful: remember that the lifespan of your garment largely depends on them.
Up to you.
Billions of T-shirts are created every year, and finding the "shoe that fits" in this ocean of clothing is like a treasure hunt. By taking an interest in 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 Holy Grail. A way to consume with confidence and awareness to buy a T-shirt that fits you, in every sense of the word.
