T Shirts that don't "Pill" up

[KNS]

Recently I heard a piece on the radio about the general decline in quality of clothing. I have certainly seen this. Not long ago I paid $79 for a pair jeans which fit nice but the denim is very thin. I've stuck with buying Carhart pants and jeans now (usually better quality).

It used to be that I could buy T Shirts that were a fairly nice quality, lasted a long time and didn't "pill" up - or look like an old flannel sheet.

T Shirt quality (seems like brand doesn't matter) is awful now. After a few washes the shirt looks old. I tried True Classics which actually fit very nice but the problem is the same. True Classics, which aren't exactly cheap and their washing instructions must be followed, still pill up. The material is thin - nearly see-through.

Carhart T Shirts are a heavier weight but cut for pretty large guys.

Anyone know of some quality T-Shirts?

[Scott Douglas]

I've had pretty good luck with Land's End T-Shirts.

I used to have a lot of T's that were really heavy duty but they all wore out eventually and my wife culled them from the herd do to the holes in them.

[MMiller]

I like these, made in the USA

https://huckberry.com/store/forty-five/category/p/64125-supima-crew-tee

[Seahawk]

I am moving to these after my daughter bought some as gifts.

I now wear the long sleeve shirts, even in humidity, for sun protection in the summer.

Not sure if this is the brand:

https://www.cariloha.com/ca-bamboo-shirts?ar_clx=yes&ar_campaign=382693428&ar_ad=&ar_adgroup=1213861307725398&ar_channel=google&msclkid=e51fc7494042179b5255a37105003515&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Apparel%20-%20Non-Brand&utm_term=bamboo%20t%20shirts&utm_content=Shirts%20-%20Men%20-%20Non-Brand

[Zeke]

I think Jerzees is the brand silk screeners use. I got a stack of them once that were not printed and they've been the best since JC penny in the '60's

[Evans, Marv]

I bought some from Duluth Trading several years ago, because I was tired of cheap, thin material and all the other problems with cheaply made stuff now days. I paid around $25 for shirts with pockets (since I consider T-shirts without pockets next to useless) and some button up T-shirts with pockets. The material was good, they have a reinforcing panel at the back of the neck (for what that's worth) and lasted well. The only two negative things were: some I used mostly for outside work seemed to fade, and I always take a large size. If I order more, I'll order medium.

Like Milt says. I'd like to find some J.C. Penny's/Sears from the sixties - not just T-shirts, but pants & underwear.

[matthewb0051]

I always wear a undershirt with my shirt/tie/suit combo.

Just bought some Haynes v-necks. First couple of wears they were great, long enough, and held shape. Now I look like I'm wearing one of those half-tshirts that you wore under your shoulder pads in football (or where I'm from with your cut off jeans when you went to the swimming pool). Try and get that image out of your head.

The sleeves are also almost all shrunk away as well.

I love BlipShift automotive themed t-shirts but I've gotten away from their short sleeved shirts as the quality is as others have described above. Their long sleeves are good though.

[Bill Douglas]

I think the problem with the t-shirts is the fabric has a percentage of synthetic fibre in it.

100% cotton t-shirts seem to last for years. I guess, like everything, there are better and lesser quality cottons around. The very thin ones are made that way so the Chinese can fit more t-shirts in a container and more sales per outgoings. And thin ones don't have a chance of surviving in the t-shirt world.

[KNS]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions.

[gtc]

I personally like the newer cotton-elastane stretchy T-shirts. Softer and stretchier than the old boxy heavy cotton tees.

[Alan A]

Under armor. Not cotton - synthetic.

[Tobra]

100% cotton shirts only for me. Lands
End or ,LL Bean

[porsche930dude]

I guess its true because all my shirts are atleast 20 years old. I wear them till there is a 4" hole. Thats the rule.

[Tobra]

Mom got us Tuffskins at JC Penneys. They were practically indestructible. Had this reinforcement at the knee, not sure what it was made of, but it was amazing the abuse it would take. Made Levis look like they were made out of cotton candy

Had good luck with Duluth Trading too. T shirt material golf shirt, very comfy, pocket of course. Also got a sweet jacket for the dog from that Duluth Trading place, had stuff for dogs, who knew.

[A930Rocket]

I like the Dickie’s T-shirts. They come in all sizes, including tall, which is what I need. They come in all kinds of colors, and seem to be heavy duty as well. $17 on Amazon.

[Bob Kontak]

Here's the secret:

Look like Marlon Brando when he was 21.

Shrink those Carhartt (cotton only) t-shirts with 10 washings and then have wardrobe slit the back of the shirt and stitch it up to hug your chest.



Stop doing this when you look like below:

[Superman]

I just learned that Hathaway is no longer in business. Bummer. Best. T-shirts. Ever.

[creaturecat]

Icebreaker merino.
best t shirts ever. price tag reflects it.
the socks are great too - lifetime warranty on those units.

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

Icebreaker merino.
best t shirts ever. price tag reflects it.
the socks are great too - lifetime warranty on those units.

I will pursue the merino tees. All of the socks on my side of the dresser are wool, even for running and biking. Yes, they hurt to pay for (smartwool and the like) but they wear well and last forever. And they never smell like my cotton/whatever ones from when I was a kid...

Banana Republic's gone downhill over the last decade. I have a ~1998 merino sweater that's still going strong after many hundreds of uses. A 2019 one went to crap after two wears - pills everywhere.

"Buy right, cry once" is my motto - but buying right is getting harder and harder to do.