Admit it, you have at least one favourite t-shirt. Now, have a look at it and figure out what exactly do you really like about it. Finding the right t-shirt is all about matching it with your purposes. No matter where you are going to wear the t-shirt to, there are three main aspects you should look at. They are 1) temperature or weather and whether the t-shirt will mostly be worn indoors or outdoors, 2) fabric material, and 3) neck styles. Ready to find the most ideal shirt to wear to your daily activities? Let’s get right into it!
Settings: Indoors VS Outdoors
Does it matter WHERE you would wear a t-shirt in the first place? Yes, yes it so very much does. This is because so many aspects are different depending on the locations and they need to be taken into consideration before you’re set on what to wear. Just as how you wouldn’t put on a sheer singlet to go out into the snowy weather, you should also use different kinds of t-shirts to fit different kinds of weather and environment (I’m aware this is quite an extreme comparison, but you get the idea).
For a start, if you are inside your home, office, or elsewhere that’s closed, the temperature is most likely fixed. If the place is air-conditioned, the place will most likely be colder than the temperature you are normally used to. You are most likely going to spend most of your time in a cold space, so make your choice of ‘t-shirt of the day’ following that situation. Likewise, if you know beforehand that you will be spending most time under the scorching sun, choose a much lighter, breathable material.
Materials: Cotton VS Polyester VS Cotton-Polyester Blend
If you are one to appreciate quality and design, you might have a load of thick cotton shirts that outweigh the number of cotton-blend garments in your wardrobe. First, cotton and polyester both have pros and cons worth noting, so it’s only fair that we judge by weighing all of them.
Polyester
Polyester may have a bad rap for not being as comfy and absorbent as cotton, but we can’t simply disregard its various benefits! Due to the fact that it is plastic, this material is incredibly durable and sturdy. It certainly does not break down easily, hence can last longer than a lot of other fabrics.
The colours on polyester clothing also generally do not fade easily and would maintain long after being dyed. If you are getting good quality polyester clothes, they will hold up well and do not shrink in the washes. They also product less wrinkles and normally do not require ironing. Lastly, while polyester may not be as breathable as cotton, it is considered more sweat-wicking which means you will dry quickly when you are sweating, making polyester outfits ideal for gym.
Cotton
The widely-favoured fabric material, cotton, needs no introduction. It is both comfortable and soft on the skin as well as cost-effective. Of course, if you are opting for one that is environmentally-friendly, cotton is the obvious choice as well. Cotton garments allow your skin to breathe and absorb moisture well, keeping your body fresh.
On top of that, cotton clothes is also generally durable that will last long, especially the ones of higher quality. Colours look more vibrant on cotton too, so if this aspect particularly matters to you, you might want to choose cotton over other fabrics, especially considering the fact that cotton supports various printing methods.
Cotton-Polyester Blend
As you can probably tell at this point, there are benefits to both cotton and polyester. Combining the best of both worlds, you will most likely get the right material that is also effective for outdoor activities!
Main advantages:
Strong: While it is soft to touch, cotton is prone to breaking down and tearing pretty easily compared to some other materials. Poly-cotton blend, on the other hand, has slightly more elasticity to it that cotton lacks. This makes the blend is more durable.
Easy to Maintain: Polycotton blend fabrics require less maintenance compared to other materials, including cotton. It is suitable for heavy-duty use and can be washed time and time again without losing its flexibility, stretchability, and durability.
Soft & Sweat-Wicking: On its own, cotton is mainly sweat-absorbing while polyester is more sweat-wicking. In this case, both would be better with half of one another’s qualities. Cotton would be great if it effectively wicks sweat away from your skin, and vice versa with polyester. That is one of the major reasons that make the polycotton blend the right material for outdoor activities. It is still soft due to the cotton content, but it works great in keeping your body dry and fresh.
T-Shirt Necks: Crew Neck VS V-Neck VS Collar
Crew Neck
Also known as the round neck, this is possibly the most common t-shirt neck out there. Quite literally, everyone has tees with crew neck. It is super comfy and perfect for casual activities without extra layers of fabrics around your neck. As crew neck is extremely common, it looks great on pretty much all body shapes.
V-Neck
If you wish to accentuate your shoulders, chest, and waist areas, V neck will do the work for you! While v-neck tees are still casual, when paired with the right pairs of jeans and pants, you can look stylish in it. Not to mention, v-neck t-shirts make a great option when you are layering your outerwear!
Collared Neck
Do you want your tee to look super casual, or do you still want to be able to wear it to semi-casual events or even to work? Do you wish to wear it and look sleek with jeans and slacks? If your answer to all of these is yes, then collared neck is what you are looking for!
The verdict?
To simplify all of the above, all you have to do and remember when choosing clothes for outdoor activities is these words: Stay Cool. Literally stay cool – keep yourself dry and not soaked in sweat. Of course, no harm in doing it figuratively too. If you live in a tropical climate, you would start sweating buckets much faster and easier when you go out under the sun compared to those in dryer lands. We’d recommend a round neck tee with a dry-fit material for you, but it all depends on you.
If you’d like to customise t shirt that is suitable and comfy enough in your daily weather that is also stylish, simply reach us at Custom Prints & Apparels! We’d love to guide and help you in designing your ideal t-shirts. Until next time, stay in style!
