The best plain T-shirts: what to check before you buy

What makes a plain T-shirt good?

A good plain T-shirt does three things well: it feels comfortable, it looks the same after 20 washes as after two, and it costs a fair price. Everything else is taste.

Because there is no print to distract the eye, small details matter more on a plain tee. A wavy collar, a see-through body or seams that twist are much more obvious on a blank shirt. The six checks below cover what actually makes the difference.

Which fabric weight (gsm) should a plain tee have?

Gsm stands for grams per square metre. The higher the number, the denser and heavier the fabric. It is the best single number for comparing plain tees across brands.

• Approx. 140 to 150 gsm: light and airy, ideal for summer and sport, but white may be slightly see-through.
• Approx. 160 to 180 gsm: the everyday all-rounder for most people.
• Approx. 190 gsm and up: heavy cotton, sturdy and more opaque, with a boxier drape.

For comparison, Fruit of the Loom's Original weighs approx. 145 gsm, Iconic approx. 150, Valueweight approx. 165 and Heavy Cotton approx. 195 gsm. Our T-shirt gsm guide goes into more detail.

Is 100 % cotton the best fabric for plain T-shirts?

For most people, yes. Cotton is soft, breathable and takes print, embroidery and dye well. It can shrink a few percent on a hot first wash, so wash at 30 to 40 degrees and skip the hot tumble dryer.

Heather or marl colours, such as heather grey, contain some polyester. That is normal and gives the mottled look. Blends dry faster and shrink less, but breathe less well and are more likely to pill over time.

Which neckline and fit should you choose?

The collar is usually the first part of a cheap tee to fail. Look for a ribbed crew neck that lies flat and springs back when you stretch it gently. Taped shoulder seams also help the neckline keep its shape.

• Crew neck: the classic plain tee, works on its own and under a jumper.
• V-neck: a little dressier and good under an open shirt.
• Long sleeve: the same basic tee for cooler days or as a base layer.

For fit, compare your chest measurement with the size guide rather than relying on the letter on the label. Approx. body chest measurements for Fruit of the Loom tees:

If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one. Cotton can tighten a little after the first wash.

Do side seams matter on a plain T-shirt?

Classic Fruit of the Loom tees are knitted as a tube, so they have no side seams. This has a few practical benefits: nothing to rub under the arms, no seams that slowly twist to the front, and an even surface all the way round for printing.

Side-seamed tees, on the other hand, can be cut with a narrower waist for a more fitted look. Neither is right or wrong. If you want a simple, even basic, tubular is a good choice. If you want a tailored silhouette, look for side seams.

What is a fair price per plain T-shirt?

A branded basic tee typically costs somewhere between €5 and €10. What really matters is the price per tee including delivery. A tee that looks cheap can end up expensive if delivery is high and you only buy one or two.

At Marmalade Co. a Fruit of the Loom T-shirt costs €6.95. From 3 pieces there is 5 % off, from 5 pieces 10 % off, which brings the price to €6.26 per tee. DHL delivery is €7 flat to Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain. The shop does not currently deliver to the United Kingdom.

When does it pay to buy plain tees in bulk?

Plain tees are a basic you wear often, so buying several at once usually makes sense. With a flat delivery fee, the more you order, the smaller the delivery share per tee. Five tees at €6.26 plus €7 delivery come to €38.28, or about €7.66 per tee all in.

For teams, clubs and events, see our guide to plain T-shirts in bulk, which also covers how to split sizes for a group. If you want a white basic that stays white, read plain white T-shirts.