A Glossary of T-Shirt Fabrics
« AAA+ T-SHIRT AAA+ T-SHIRT 102 12/9/2024»A Glossary of T-Shirt Fabrics
Don’t know your Pima from your polyester? Check this glossary.
By RACHEL SHELASKY
Lilla P Pima-Cotton Shirt
Jens Mortensen
Burn-out: Fabric treated with a chemical process that leaves sheer patches for
an edgy look.
Combed cotton: Fine brushes are used to eliminate short strands and straighten
fibers, making the fabric stronger, softer, and smoother.
Jersey: A stretchy knit typically made from cotton or a synthetic blend, it’s
very flexible and comfy.
Linen: Made from the flax plant, the textured weave dries quickly, making it
cool to wear. However, it wrinkles easily.
Modal: A form of rayon made from plant fibers, it has a beautiful drape and a
slinky feel. It resists shrinking but can be prone to pilling, so avoid the
dryer.
Organic cotton: Cotton grown with minimal fertilizers and pesticides. Usually
softer and more expensive than treated cotton.
Pigment dyed: A coloring process that coats the outside of the fibers, it can
create a faded, worn-in look.
Pima, Supima: The highest-quality cotton. Pima is the generic form of extra-
long-fiber cotton grown in the United States, Australia, and South America.
Supima is the trademarked name for 100 percent American-grown Pima cotton.
Both resist pilling, fading, and stretching and get softer with wear.
Polyester: Maintains its shape well and resists shrinking and wrinkles. Not
breathable.
Rayon: A breathable man-made fiber made out of trees, cotton, and woody
plants. Has a silky hand, yet wrinkles. Also called viscose.
Rib knit: A ridged pattern that creates a thick, structured garment with a lot
of give.
Slub: Fibers are twisted to create an irregular weave with a rough-hewn
texture.