T-Shirts that don't suck?

Skilid · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:30

GD,

Where can I buy t-shirts that don't shrink upon the first wash? Almost every one I buy fits great in the store, but when I wash it it gets a little smaller everywhere. The thing that I hate the most though is they lose about an inch in length. I'm 6ft and I wear medium size t-shirts. If I wear large they swamp me. The worst offender is Next. I've also had stuff go completely out of shape from there as well as places like fat face and tkmaxx.

Literally the only t-shirt I own at the moment that hasn't shrunk is one from Sainsburys. I've heard that I should avoid 100% cotton. Is this true?

Cheers!

PS. I wash at 30 and don't tumble dry.

Avenged7Fold · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:35

Have you consulted a specialist (spoken to your wife/GF)?

izzop · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:41

Have you considered buying large to allow for the shrinkage?

Certainly have t-shirts shrink over time through wear/washing but none that I can think of that have shrunk after first wash, unless I balls up and wash them wrong, or they're on boarder line too tight size wise to begin with.

JonnyT · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:43

Saltrock are good quality and hold up pretty well...

TS7 · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:44

I've always been in to fashion and clothes so have sampled the whole spectrum when it comes to t shirts from designer to high street. The most consistent and best fit has actually been the H&M t-shirts for £3.99. They have pretty much every colour you could want and the t shirts retain there fit wash after wash. I highly recommend. American Apparel also do good quality t shirts.

ChrisD. · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:47

Wash at lower temperatures, I was most of my clothes at 30 and tumble iron on the delicate setting and don't see to have the same issue.

One thing I get annoyed about is collars on polo shirts getting ruined after a few washes no matter what I do.

MikeTheNative · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:48

Are you sure that you aren't just getting fat?

Avenged7Fold · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:51

ChrisD. said:
Wash at lower temperatures, I was most of my clothes at 30 and tumble iron on the delicate setting and don't see to have the same issue.

One thing I get annoyed about is collars on polo shirts getting ruined after a few washes no matter what I do.

If the curving of the collars are your main concern, i found clipping from the folded side as they dry helps to breath some life into them

Eurofighter · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:53

Just buy large or find a brand that does small size larges or big mediums.

ChrisD. · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:54

Avenged7Fold said:
If the curving of the collars are your main concern, i found clipping from the folded side as they dry helps to breath some life into them

It's fold lines that I get annoyed with. Ralf Lauren tops are notorious for it, so much so I don't buy them any more although they are my favourite looking polo top.

Cleisthenes · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:55

Uniqlo, thank me later

You should also spec a budget as you can spend whatever you want on a basic T. Uniqlo are good for the money (£9.90) though.

bledd · 13 Mar 2017 at 14:56

Top man used to make great t-shirts for £5. The ones they have now are terrible. Good news is the Primark £2 t-shirts are a great replacement.

Dav4 · 13 Mar 2017 at 15:20

Burtons, Zara and Topman are good for decent t shirts that last imo.
I know what you mean about shrinking I'm 6ft2 and buy a large and i am forever throwing tops away due to losing length. Primark and Asos are terrible for shrinking

G-MAN2004 · 13 Mar 2017 at 15:21

Are you a cool guy, OP?

Cleisthenes · 13 Mar 2017 at 15:29

OcUK is a terrible place to ask for clothes advice to be fair.

Psycho Sonny · 13 Mar 2017 at 15:33

i don't think I have had any t-shirt not shrink with time however cheap ones from primark I bought for use in home gym were the worst offenders. And was the only and last time I bought anything from primark. The best ones though were Calvin Klein however they are around £30 a t-shirt. They have cheaper ones but they aren't as good. I know because I have bought them as well and thery shrunk much quicker.

https://www.qwertee.com/shop

I buy all my t-shirts from there now and I buy a size up to allow for shrinkage. So what if it looks loose to begin with. After 5 washes it fits exactly right and will do do for the next 100 washes before it's time to think about retiring it.

Pho · 13 Mar 2017 at 15:35

If you want plan shirts go for the Russell Classic Heavyweight (~£5.50 if you shop around) or Haynes Beefy-T (~£9). They're both made of heavy cotton and rated highly. Russell/Haynes/Gildan are what a lot of the t-shirt printing people use as the base shirt. They're also ringspun which means they're nice and smooth

B@Th*nG · 13 Mar 2017 at 15:41

bought some cheap primarni recently (£2-5) and they've survived a few washes and fit well

B@

Jamesyboyjim · 13 Mar 2017 at 16:16

Its the Primark ones that shrink after one wash. My other t shirts I wash at 40 and keep them well away from the tumble dryer. this seems to stop them shrinking.

englishpremier · 13 Mar 2017 at 16:56

Cotton shrinks over time. I wash most of my gear with no heat. There is still some shrinkage.

Best bet is to find a style of t-shirt you like from American Apparel, Fruit of the loom, Hanes, etc.. and just have your own designs printed.