The Softer Side of T-shirts
THE 100 PERCENT
This year, tees are not ushering in any grand changes or visual reworkings. Instead, suppliers and manufacturers are working to increase the value of T-shirts by making the fabric longer-lasting and more comfortable. Bill Pellegrini, eastern regional sales manager for Alstyle Apparel, Anaheim, Calif., mentioned a move toward softer T-shirts. "There has been a gradual movement over the past few years to finer gauge cloth using combed/ring-spun cotton. These shirts have a softer hand and drape well on the wearer," he said. According to Cindy J. Sims, PR and promotions manager at Heritage Sportswear Inc., Hebron, Ohio, this focus on 100 percent combed and ring-spun cotton shirts was inspired by a Bella + Canvas campaign to move away from carded, open end shirts. "You will see Bella + Canvas promoting their tees with a new logo—NO C.O.E. (carded, open end)—so expect other mills to follow suit and do more promoting of their soft tees," she said. Sims noted these non-C.O.E. shirts boast benefits like holding screen prints, heat transfers and embroidery better and for longer.
- Companies:
- Alstyle Apparel
- Heritage Sportswear