The cheapo shirt that keeps it's shape
December 14, 2012 2:02 PM Subscribe
I have a T-shirt made from a kind of fabric I've not seen since, I'd like to get more. It's supposedly 100% cotton, but I'm not sure if that's true.
Well, what's different about it? The shirt was bought in Thailand, and was probably pretty cheap. It features the iconic Thai Coca-Cola logo.
The fabric feels heavier than normal T-shirts, and creases harder. It's also less fuzzy to the touch. The brand label actually says "No Name" with a colored stick figure. The other side claims it's 100% cotton, but the feeling of the cloth is similar to the "bamboo socks" I also own, which is apparently not really bamboo but Rayon made from bamboo material.
Cotton or not, the shirt is great because it never changed it's shape and lasted longer than any other T-shirt I've owned. Also it feels nice on the skin, but not like those synthetic sports shirts. It now has worn so thin that it's probably close to its end, but I've had it since 2004 and have worn it regularly. If I buy 7 more of these I won't have to buy any more T-shirts for the next 8 years!
I actually took a picture of the fabric, in case that helps any weaving experts out there. So is this just a Rayon shirt, or some kind of magic cotton as the label says?
Well, what's different about it? The shirt was bought in Thailand, and was probably pretty cheap. It features the iconic Thai Coca-Cola logo.
The fabric feels heavier than normal T-shirts, and creases harder. It's also less fuzzy to the touch. The brand label actually says "No Name" with a colored stick figure. The other side claims it's 100% cotton, but the feeling of the cloth is similar to the "bamboo socks" I also own, which is apparently not really bamboo but Rayon made from bamboo material.
Cotton or not, the shirt is great because it never changed it's shape and lasted longer than any other T-shirt I've owned. Also it feels nice on the skin, but not like those synthetic sports shirts. It now has worn so thin that it's probably close to its end, but I've had it since 2004 and have worn it regularly. If I buy 7 more of these I won't have to buy any more T-shirts for the next 8 years!
I actually took a picture of the fabric, in case that helps any weaving experts out there. So is this just a Rayon shirt, or some kind of magic cotton as the label says?
If you're willing to clip a bit of fabric out of the shirt, you can do a burn test which should tell you whether it's cotton, rayon, or something else entirely.
(I agree with The Toad -- in my experience, especially with something machine washed, rayon tends to get limp, pilled, and sad-looking pretty quickly, so it's not likely to be a good bet here.)
posted by katemonster at 2:26 PM on December 14, 2012
(I agree with The Toad -- in my experience, especially with something machine washed, rayon tends to get limp, pilled, and sad-looking pretty quickly, so it's not likely to be a good bet here.)
posted by katemonster at 2:26 PM on December 14, 2012
My guess would be that it's just a very different type of cotton than what's commonly sold in the US. The clothing market here seems to be incredibly obsessed with softness, which is often directly opposed to durability. For a soft fiber like cotton, a short fiber will feel softer but will pill and break down more quickly. It may just be longer cotton fibers and a differently spun yarn than typical cotton. I have some older t-shirts from the US that are much thicker, less stretchy, and less fuzzy-soft than current ones.
Not that the helps you get a new one, much, but don't rule out cotton.
FYI, that fabric is knit, not woven. Not trying to be pedantic, but wanted to let you know in case it helps your search.
posted by duien at 2:31 PM on December 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Not that the helps you get a new one, much, but don't rule out cotton.
FYI, that fabric is knit, not woven. Not trying to be pedantic, but wanted to let you know in case it helps your search.
posted by duien at 2:31 PM on December 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Can you post a picture of the label? That might help us identify your shirt better.
posted by annsunny at 3:14 PM on December 14, 2012
posted by annsunny at 3:14 PM on December 14, 2012
I agree that it may be a different variety of cotton, probably with a longer staple (individual fibers). I have a pima cotton t-shirt that reminds me a little of rayon in its feel and drape, but it's held up much better than rayon usually does. Or most of my regular cotton shirts, for that matter.
I can't say for sure that your shirt is pima cotton or a similar long-staple variety, but that may be a good starting point. L.L. Bean and Lands End both sell 100% pima tees.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:44 PM on December 14, 2012
I can't say for sure that your shirt is pima cotton or a similar long-staple variety, but that may be a good starting point. L.L. Bean and Lands End both sell 100% pima tees.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:44 PM on December 14, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks for the answers! I'll try to look for knit pima cotton T-shirts, and see if those are similar. I uploaded pictures of the label, but didn't have any luck with google. It's kinda hard to google a company named "no name", and image search also didn't help.
I'll also do the burn test later today, that's a good idea.
I could just try to ask in a store that sells fabric, too, and I could bring the shirt. I actually didn't think of that before, even though the city where I live has hundreds of fabric shops. Maybe I should go out more.
posted by Lynx at 9:01 PM on December 14, 2012
I'll also do the burn test later today, that's a good idea.
I could just try to ask in a store that sells fabric, too, and I could bring the shirt. I actually didn't think of that before, even though the city where I live has hundreds of fabric shops. Maybe I should go out more.
posted by Lynx at 9:01 PM on December 14, 2012
I agree with duien, it could be 20S cotton knit which is basically stiffer, thicker, cheaper cotton. A higher weight has a softer, finer "hand".
If it was bought on the street in Thailand (ie has illegal [sic] Coke logo), then it will not be high quality which is what I consider pima cotton to be.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:36 PM on December 14, 2012
If it was bought on the street in Thailand (ie has illegal [sic] Coke logo), then it will not be high quality which is what I consider pima cotton to be.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:36 PM on December 14, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The Toad at 2:24 PM on December 14, 2012