T-Shirts

Fit Names and What They Actually Measure

Classic, relaxed and oversized are not three sizes of the same shirt. They are three different patterns, and the difference shows up at the shoulder seam before it shows anywhere else. A classic fit places that seam on the edge of the shoulder. A relaxed fit drops it slightly. An oversized tee drops it well down the arm on purpose, which is what creates the shape. If you want an oversized look, buy the oversized cut rather than sizing up a classic one, because a larger classic tee gets longer and wider without moving the shoulder. Body length is the second number worth checking, since it decides whether a tee tucks or sits over a waistband.

Why Printed Tees Wear Differently from Plain Ones

An all-over print is applied to the fabric before the shirt is cut, so the design runs across seams and behaves exactly like the cloth beneath it. A placed graphic is applied to the finished garment, which means it sits on top as a separate layer. A placed print can crack or lift at the edges over time, while an all-over print fades with the fabric instead of separating from it. Neither is better, but they age differently, and that is worth knowing when a tee is bought for a design rather than for a color.

Keeping a Print Sharp Through the Wash

Prints are damaged by abrasion and heat rather than by water. Washing a printed tee inside out moves the rubbing onto the inner surface, and it is the single habit that extends a design's life most. A cool wash and a low dry setting matter for a second reason on cotton blends: heat is what shrinks the cotton and tires the elastane, so a shirt dried hot changes shape as well as color. Ironing directly over a placed graphic will lift it, which is why the safe route is pressing from the reverse.

For heavier layers over the same cuts, the fleece and cotton blend options sit in Sweatshirts & Hoodies, and the sleeveless and cropped versions are grouped in Tank Tops.