How to choose the ideal T-shirt that is great for work, sport or leisure?

 

Trends have come and gone over the years, but the T-shirt is one of the basic pieces that has been around for a long time and does not look like going anywhere soon. One reason for the T-shirt's universal popularity is how many situations it suits. Another is how comfortable it is.

Another reason for the T-shirt's popularity is its versatility. You can wear it on its own, under an open shirt, or tuck it under a jumper or cardigan for an extra layer of warmth. T-shirts can be plain, patterned, or come in wild colours covered with fun graphics or quotes. They can look very everyday or somewhat more dressy, depending on what you wear them with.

 

 

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO INVEST IN HIGH-QUALITY T-SHIRTS

In many shops you can buy a T-shirt for just a few euros. Many people do this, and there is certainly nothing wrong with it.

However, buying this kind of T-shirt has several important drawbacks. The biggest difference is the lack of quality. These T-shirts are cheap, which means they are affordable, but it also means they probably will not last long. You may have them for a season or a year, but they will soon stretch, tear and lose their vibrant colour.

Many cheap T-shirts are also made of cheap material that is uncomfortable and rough to the touch. They also usually shrink in the wash, which means you will wear it well only a few times before it becomes too small.

 

It is worth spending a little more and buying a quality T-shirt. The cost will more than pay off in the time the T-shirt lasts. A quality T-shirt can serve you for years, while you might have to buy three or four cheaper ones to last the same length of time.

A more expensive T-shirt is also usually more comfortable. The fabric is softer and gentler on your skin, the seams are more durable, and some seams are even padded, as on the Advanced functional T-shirt. Such a T-shirt will wash better and will not shrink or lose its shape.

When you buy a more expensive T-shirt, you are also more likely to find a size that fits better and is therefore more flattering. Many cheap T-shirts are cut in very standard boxy shapes that do not really suit anyone. If you want to find a cut and design that truly flatters your figure, you will have to put down a little more money for the quality that a well-designed T-shirt provides.

 

 

5 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR FINDING THE PERFECT T-SHIRT

It would be nice if T-shirt sizes were standard and if, every time you picked up a medium in any shop, it were exactly the same size. Unfortunately, a medium in some shops is the same as an extra large in others.

Because of the huge differences in what a size label actually means, it is hard to determine what size of T-shirt you should wear.

The solution? Stop worrying about what your size is. You will most likely have a different size in every shop you visit. Instead, in every place you go, try on different sizes and use your best judgement to assess how the T-shirt looks on you, to decide which size to buy.

When deciding how a T-shirt should fit, keep a few things in mind:

 

1. Size/fit

A T-shirt that fits properly should be neither too tight nor too loose. If it is too loose, it will hang on you like a sack and will not look good. If it is too tight, it will look as if you are squeezed into it and about to burst at the seams – a look that will almost certainly appear awkward and unflattering.

 

2. Shoulder seams

The shoulder seams are a good way to tell how well a T-shirt fits you. Ideally, these seams should reach to the very end of the shoulder, at the top of your arm. If they reach down onto your upper arm, the T-shirt is too big. If they do not reach all the way to the end of the shoulder, the T-shirt is too small.

 

3. Sleeves

The sleeves should reach about halfway down your upper arm. If you are exceptionally tall, you may be able to wear slightly longer sleeves without any problem, as they will look more proportionate.

 

4. Length

The bottom hem of the T-shirt should not sit higher than your hips, otherwise the T-shirt is too small. It should cover your waist and extend a few centimetres past it. If it is shorter than that, it will reveal your stomach when you raise your arms. If it is longer, it will look like a dress. When trying on a T-shirt, raise your arms to see how high it rides up.

 

5. Shape

Many cheap T-shirts have no shape at all. When you put them on, they hang like sacks and look extremely unflattering. Instead, look for a T-shirt that follows the lines of your body a little more closely. Avoid T-shirts cut in big boxy shapes.

 

 

HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF FOR A T-SHIRT

We often buy T-shirts online as well, where trying on in person is not possible. When it comes to choosing a T-shirt size, the size labels can vary greatly. In some cases the shop or brand can provide a size chart, which is the best reference for choosing the right size.

When measuring yourself for a T-shirt, you need to take the following measurements:

 

1. Chest

To measure your chest circumference, wrap the tape measure under your armpits and around the widest part of your chest. It is important to stand normally, without hunching or puffing out your chest. The tape should be snug, but not so tight that it restricts your breathing.

Some size charts show the half-chest measurement (a) instead of the full chest circumference. To measure this, use the tape to measure from a point under the arm on one side to a point under the other arm. Alternatively, you can measure the full circumference and divide it by 2.

 

2. Length

The bottom hem of the T-shirt should reach a few centimetres below the waist. To measure the length you need, stand up straight and measure from the highest point of the shoulders to a point below the waist (b).

 

WHEN TO CHOOSE A PLAIN COTTON T-SHIRT, AND WHEN TO INVEST IN A FUNCTIONAL T-SHIRT?

 

A quality T-shirt made of cotton will serve you well in many situations. Cotton is an exceptionally pleasant and comfortable material that is kind to the skin and therefore does not cause allergic reactions or itching. A cotton T-shirt breathes very well and is therefore also suitable for hot summer days.

 

A good example of such a T-shirt is the Imperial Fit T-shirt, which is made of 100% cotton and is available in 9 different colours – so you are sure to find one that suits you best.

Cotton T-shirts are also great for leisure, sleeping, and less physically demanding work.

If you do not sweat much in your tasks, a quality cotton T-shirt will be just right for your everyday activities. 

 

You can see all the cotton T-shirts in our range here.

 

 

 

For sports activities, physically demanding work, or if you generally sweat a lot, it is smart to invest in a functional T-shirt.

Functional T-shirts are usually made of high-quality stretch fabric that does not absorb moisture but releases it outwards and dries quickly.

 

An excellent example of such a T-shirt is the Advanced functional T-shirt. The Advanced T-shirt is antibacterial, so in addition to reducing perspiration, it also helps prevent the unpleasant odours that come with sweating.

 

These T-shirts are often made of double fabric, with the inner layer made of cotton and the outer layer of a more durable blend of elastane and polyester. Because functional T-shirts are more complex to make, they are usually more expensive than plain cotton T-shirts, but the investment will certainly pay off if you are physically active at work.

 

You can see all the functional T-shirts in our range here.