Premium T-Shirts vs. Basic T-Shirts

What is a premium t-shirt?

A premium t-shirt is a garment crafted with thorough attention to detail, an emphasis on fit and the use of high-quality materials. The fabric used is often from superior cotton varieties, such as Pima cotton which contributes to a notably soft and smooth texture, offering a higher level of comfort.

The construction of a premium t-shirt involves more precise stitching, resulting in a fit that is not only comfortable but also exhibits a more tailored appearance. The seams are carefully finished, more robust and the overall design may include subtle or unique details that set it apart. A premium t-shirt should have a tailored fit that hugs your body without being too tight or too loose. Premium t-shirts are known for their durability, with the ability to withstand repeated wear and wash cycles while maintaining their shape and luxurious feel.

What is a basic t-shirt?

A basic t-shirt is a more budget friendly option as the focus is on affordability rather than premium features. These are mass produced so they are widely available and easy to find, providing many options for the shopper. While comfortable, it may not provide the same level of softness as a premium tee. The fabric may be thinner and less luxurious, usually made from standard cotton, polyester or a cotton-polyester blend. These t-shirts may also be less durable, with a tendency to show signs of wear and tear more quickly, especially after repeated washes.

How do they compare?

Price: The most obvious difference you will notice between a premium t-shirt and a basic t-shirt is the price. A premium t-shirt will cost more than a basic t-shirt. But there is a good reason for this. A premium t-shirt will feel softer, be more comfortable to wear, fit you better and perhaps most importantly, be more durable than a basic tee. All these attributes are a result of the work put into the design of the t-shirt, choice of materials/fabric and the stronger, detail-oriented construction.

Price however, does not determine the quality of a premium t-shirt. You can immediately identify a basic tee based on its price; a premium tee isn’t quite so easy. There are plenty of t-shirts out there that have premium prices and even call themselves a premium t-shirt but they fall short in some of the areas mentioned above. The attributes of a t-shirt are far more telling than the price.

Fit: A premium t-shirt is often designed with a particular fit or look in mind, to make the wearer look their best. It tends to fit the body better, made to complement the shape of your body. Whereas a basic t-shirt, is designed to be able to be worn by as many people as possible, a kind of generic fit. It’s not designed for any specific look and not any particular person.

Fabric: Fabric is an important part of the premium t-shirt. This determines how soft the t-shirt will be, how comfortable, breathability, durability, whether the shirt retains shape and how it hangs on your body. Because of this, a lot of thought and research is put into the choice of fabric for a premium t-shirt. With a basic t-shirt, cost is usually the main determining factor in the choice of fabrics. Sometimes for the basic tee, the least expensive fabric is the only choice, affordability being the primary concern.

Custom made: Another aspect of the premium t-shirt that is quite nice is that often these t-shirts are made specifically for the clothing company that sells it. They designed the pattern; they chose the fabric and they chose the colors and had the fabric dyed to match their color choices. This isn’t usually the case with basic t-shirts. Often basic t-shirts are made by the millions and stored in a warehouse waiting for someone to buy a bunch of them and place their name on it. This is very cost effective for many t-shirt sellers and one reason they can maintain low costs on their products.

We hope this short article has helped inform you on what makes a premium t-shirt “premium.” There are a lot of options for t-shirts out there and the quality can vary greatly, but knowing what to look for and more importantly, knowing what you like, makes it much easier. If you prefer a t-shirt that is more comfortable, lasts longer and may look better on you, then you may want to spend the extra money on a premium t-shirt. Since you’ve taken the time to read this article, there is a good chance a premium t-shirt would suit you.

And while you’re here, have a look at our premium cotton t-shirts, the Favorite Tee and the Perfect Tee. Currently in seven colors and two fabrics. Designed to our specs to look good on you, keep you comfortable and last a long time.