T-shirt wearers around the world seem to be endlessly searching for that ideal t-shirt that is so soft and comfortable that you never want to take it off. However, have you noticed that this search is decreasing in difficulty? The feel of the tee shirt has drastically changed over the last few years. Do you tend to favor the softer clothes in your closet over abrasive ones? Gone are standard weight jersey cotton tees, the stiff fabric that may be ideal for the ball court but not so great for the bedroom. Designers have broken down fabric fibers to make shirts thinner and more gauze-y, making fabric softeners almost obsolete. You can pick up 2 almost identical T-shirts and they can feel very different to the touch. The difference is due to a variety of factors. For starters, quality makes a huge difference. That’s why softer tees are more expensive, while cheaper tees are relatively inexpensive. Thread count is another huge factor. If the tee is made of high quality fabric, it most likely contains a 200+ count, referring to how many threads make up an inch of the fabric. Also, manufacturers are implementing many new methods and technology to create a softer feel. Combing techniques remove tough fibers before cotton is spun into thread. Enzyme washes, peaching, burn outs and slub cottons have also made the new tee shirt generation more comfortable than ever. Warning: This trend may have you feeling yourself – literally and figuratively speaking.

By: Andréa Nelson