The Ultimate T-Shirt Buying Guide

By Shirtspace | Dec 29, 2017 |  Updated Nov 30, 2020

 An extremely common question we hear is “what’s the best t-shirt?” While there isn’t one “right” answer, we’ve come up with a pretty great list of low, mid-range, and pricier shirt options for the 3 most popular fabrics. These are shirts that we prefer in-house, as well as ones that we know our customers love too.

 

100% Cotton T-shirts

Cotton has been around for hundreds of years and its popularity in the apparel industry is as steady as ever. Cotton is a naturally occurring fiber and is softer than polyester garments. The softest cotton available is ringspun cotton, which is the type of cotton most widely found in retail settings.

$:

Gildan G200

• Starts at $2.09

• 5.3 oz regular cotton

• Tubular construction

• Standard-fit

• Customer favorite

$$:

Gildan Softstyle G640

• Starts at $2.50

• 4.5 oz ringspun cotton

• Tubular construction

• Standard-fit

• Softer than Gildan G200

Anvil 980

• Starts at $2.74

• 4.5 oz ringspun cotton

• Tearaway label

• Tubular construction

• Standard-fit

• Softer than Gildan G200

$$$:

Bella+Canvas 3001C

• Starts at $4.22

• 4.2 oz ringspun cotton

• Side seam construction

• Retail, fashion-fit

• ShirtSpace team favorite!

Next Level 3600

• Starts at $4.22

• 4.3 oz ringspun cotton

• Side seam construction

• Retail, fashion-fit

 

50/50 Cotton Polyester T-shirts

Shirts made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester are generally less expensive than 100% cotton tees, yet still have the softness that you find in 100% cotton apparel. The polyester is wrinkle resistant, offers increased durability, and fades less than 100% cotton t-shirts.

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Gildan G800

• Starts at $2.26

• 5.6 oz

• Dryblend and moisture wicking

• Heat transfer label

• Customer favorite

$$:

Bella+Canvas 3650

• Starts at $5.60

• 3.6 oz

• Unisex sizing

• Unique color options

• Side seam construction

• Retail, fashion-fit

$$$:

Bayside 5010

• Starts at $8.56

• 4.2 oz

• Unisex sizing

• Made in the U.S.A

 

Tri blend T-shirts

Tri blend fabric is a mix of 50% cotton, 25% polyester, and 25% rayon. The cotton offers breathability and softness, the polyester provides durability, and the rayon offers an ideal drape that lends itself to a flattering fit. Tri blend t-shirts generally have a heathered appearance, but for those in search of solid color tri blend shirts, Bella+Canvas has 30 different shades to choose from.

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Anvil 6750

• Starts at $5.71

• 4.7 oz

• Tearaway label

• Side seam construction

• Retail, fashion-fit

$$:

Threadfast Apparel 102A

• Starts at $6.47

• 4.1 oz

• Tearaway label

• Side seam construction

• Retail, fashion-fit

$$$:

Bella+Canvas 3413C

• Starts at $6.75

• 3.4 oz

• Side seam construction

• Retail, fashion-fit

• ShirtSpace team favorite!

Next Level 6010

• Starts at $6.74

• 4.3 oz

• Side seam construction

• Retail, fashion-fit