I bought a 'heavy' tee and when it arrived, it was lighter weight than I thought it would be. Why was that? Simple. Thanks to marketers, the people that brought you Jumbo Shrimp, what it says it not what you think.
So let's take a look at the three indicators that will tell you what you're getting.
First, there's Size. Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, etc. As you've probably learned through experience, any one of those sizes are not consistent from manufacturer to manufacturer. Which is why we include size tables.
Then, there's Fit. Men's and Unisex are the same thing. Women can fit into Men's, but Men can't fit into Women's. For Women, there's a breakdown of Slim, Relaxed, Flowy, and Slouchy Fits. Or the Boyfriend Tee, which is just a looser overall fit.
- Baggy : The picture that comes to mind at the word ‘baggy’ is probably an example of oversized clothing, rather than true baggy. This is a crucial difference. The baggy fit drapes over the shoulders with a larger space for the head and arms rather than a conventional fitting.
- Muscle : While this classification is a bit more prominent amongst women, a large demand for muscle shirt variations is presented by gym-bros. These shirts essentially wrap the body in a skin-suit of a different color. They’re the tightest manifestation of the tee; the ultimate expression of muscles that simply can’t be contained within the framework of a ‘conventional’ shirt.
- Regular : The universal appeal and practicality of these items make them fit just about any customer. As this is the most common, it’s worth mentioning that there are the most options (colors, sizes, models, etc.) within this genre.
- Slim : This fit wraps around the body tightly, but not as much as the muscle tee. When utilized correctly, this style is phenomenal for displaying the efforts of a disciplined workout routine. However, it’s important to consider the exact fitting, as excessive tightness or an imbalance in fabric distribution can lead to discomfort, impingement, or an uneven look.
Finally, there's Fabric Thickness and Fabric Weight. The one I didn't pay attention to. It;s always a question when someone says Light or Heavy, are they talking about fabric thickness, or overall weight, per square yard of material.
Fabric Thickness. We try to include the Fabric Thickness in our descriptions.
- Super Light. between 0.006” - 0.007” in thickness. The lightest and most breathable option. Partially see-through. However, this transparency effect diminishes somewhat with darker colors. Tends to wrinkle more. Incredible breathability during hotter weather. The silky feel to a super light is a pleasure to encounter. Vulnerability to tearing comes with that richness.
- Light. 0.008” in fabric width. More of an all-year-’round piece. It can serve as an undershirt to protect outerwear while not resulting in the rapid overheating that thicker shirts can contribute to. Still relatively thin, wrinkling can occur, but there are wrinkle-free and iron-free manifestations widely available. Relaxed-business to casual wear due to how they drape over the body. However, this tightness can be uncomfortable for customers wishing to hide unwanted curvature. . The weight here produces a soft, buttery feeling to the fabric - a significant reason why they’re purchased in stores. If someone likes the feel in their hands, the logical conclusion is it would feel even better against the body.
- Medium. around 0.009”. The go-to for many t-shirt sellers. No opacity except for a bit of show-through with whiter tees. Fairly resistant to wrinkling. However, many non-iron options exist. While this category leans toward the more casual side, there are exceptions.
- Medium Heavy. higher thickness (0.010’ - 0.011”) means they're ffairly warm, good for cool or windy days. This version also moves up the ladder of wrinkle resistance from lighter fabrics. A great many t-shirts are produced in this genre, extremely durable.
- Heavy. Some of the thickest (0.012” - 0.014”) and heaviest shirts available, these garments are purposed for heavy weather and winter climates. They retain heat significantly better than their thinner counterparts. Flannels are often made from this type of material due to its durability, warmth, and styling.
- Super-Heavy : The weightiest of the bunch, the super-heavy (0.015”) is often seen as denim. Very rare for a t-shirt.
Shirt Weight, by Square Yard
- Light-Weight Shirts : < 5 ounces / square yard. Or below 170 grams per square meter.
- Medium-Weight Shirts : Around 5 ounces / square yard. Or about 170 grams per square meter.
- Heavyweight shirts : > 6 ounces per square yard. Or roughly 200 grams per square meter or more.
