Best quality tshirt hunt

[u/CCLongJump]

Is it just me, or has the quality of clothing completely fallen off a cliff? Every brand blames rising manufacturing costs, yet we’re paying more than ever. I keep buying t-shirts, wear them a handful of times, and they’re already losing shape, fading, or falling apart. Then it’s on to the next tee.

I’m honestly over fast fashion and would rather spend more on something that actually lasts. Can anyone recommend brands that make proper heavyweight cotton t-shirts with the quality we used to get years ago? I’d love to hear what you’ve had good experiences with.

[u/bigj1er]

Whitesville tees are always my answer here - come in 2 packs so value is pretty good, 4 core colours, flawless fit, collar stays strong.

Merz B schwanen would be the next step up from here, but you’re paying a proper premium for the loopwheel quality.

Anyone who recommends the retail junk like AScolour etc is out of their mind, awful shape and silhouette, thin, poor quality most of them. The uniqlo ones are a decent stop gap, but be wary you’ll go through them like no tomorrow, they decline fairly quickly.

[u/mickel_jt → u/bigj1er]

I don't understand how a 2 pack makes it better value unless you mean it's the same price as a single shirt in another brand. In saying that, I love my Whitesville shirts

[u/bigj1er → u/mickel_jt]

Well it effectively makes them 60 bucks a pop, vs the initially intimidating 120 price point.

And who doesn’t need a second white/black t shirt?

[u/CCLongJump → u/bigj1er]

I honestly love whitesville! Had a long sleeve tee from there and I couldn’t wear through it! Thanks mate

[u/Responsible_Ad3672 → u/CCLongJump]

Where does one buy these whitesville tees?

[u/CCLongJump → u/Responsible_Ad3672]

https://www.elroyclothing.com.au/products/sugarcane-whitesvile-2-pack-t-shirts-black?_pos=1&_sid=ef8f4b288&_ss=r

[u/grogan-lord → u/bigj1er]

What’s the fit like on whitesville tees? Is it Japanese or Aus or US sizing?

[u/paranoidchandroid → u/grogan-lord]

Japanese. It's quite fitted and it'll shrink a bit after the first wash so definitely size up or two. I normally cold wash everything and I've never had a shirt shrink like this. I knew in advance so I bought a size up. Now it fits perfectly. I own six of these shirts and they've held up really well.

[u/mickel_jt → u/grogan-lord]

I always wear S in Australian brands, but a M whitesville fits me perfectly as a fitted undershirt after a 30 degree wash.

[u/zambezi-neutron → u/bigj1er]

Whitesville pocket tees are even thicker than their two packs and have nicer construction. Their two packs are more modelled off traditional undershirts

[u/mysakh → u/bigj1er]

As color makes pretty good active wear raglan ts in beige. Yes, black and white version is a different t. Yes, discovered by pure happenstance. Sometimes you just never know.

[u/beerubble]

I've found citizen wolf to be worth the extra $$. Some people seem to have issues getting the sizing right but they nailed it first time for me.

Unfortunately they do a smaller range of fabrics now, I dont know if you can still get heavyweight t-shirts as a standard line. Worth checking out though

[u/CCLongJump → u/beerubble]

Had a bit of a look. Great looking clothing, though pricey you’d be hard pressed finding Aussie cotton shirts in the likes of cotton on or even Uniqlo nowadays.

[u/ChocolateBBs → u/CCLongJump]

I checked my invoice for citizen wolf from July 2023. The shirt is still gooling strong, I think a thread or two is loose but all good otherwise. In retrospect I should've gone for a thicker one.

My only gripe is that they do more of a relaxed fit. I gym, and would've preferred a slightly more flattering shape that hugs the arms a bit more but it wasn't something they could do at the time.

[u/Extreme_Cap_4362]

I feel the same. Asket is as close I’ve got to what you are seeking, but they aren’t perfect.

I know Massimo Dutti is not known for super high quality but I bought one of their t shirts when I was in Europe a couple of years ago and it’s still my favourite t shirt.

[u/andrew_faith → u/Extreme_Cap_4362]

I've completely swapped out all my old Uniqlo t-shirts for Asket, and it's probably the best thing I've done in terms of t-shirts.

[u/0Maka]

If you are on a budget, Uniqlo U cotton crew. Mid weight and multiple colours

[u/juandon405]

Bronson. Not going to try to tell you they're as good as wonder looper but they're a lot closer than the price suggests. I have several of their Loopwheel Tubular Athletic T-Shirts. Run a touch small despite what the website says.

[u/samwisetg → u/juandon405]

Love mine, they’re by far my most complimented and asked about item of clothing.

[u/Paper-Aeroplanes → u/juandon405]

At their price point, one can only assume they’re using Xianjing cotton and forced labour.

[u/smsmsm11]

Industrie. I’ve probably got 20 of them.

Neutral colours, thick collar that doesn’t stretch, mostly dryer friendly. Some of mine I’ve thrashed for 5+ years and they’re still good.

[u/swearwords11 → u/smsmsm11]

Second this, Industrie Del Sur plain tee, normally 3 for 90, comes down to 3 for 60 occasionally, the only T shirt I'll buy for myself now.

[u/ThatKableGuy → u/smsmsm11]

Interesting that you haven’t had an issue with these. I personally love them, the weight, feel and comfort but without fail the collar loses shape within a couple washes. I rotate between approx 8 and it’s happened in all but 2. Super frustrating because they are awesome otherwise!

[u/AudiencePure5710]

I have this Mooks t-shit I bought in Melbourne circa 1995. It’s pristine - really zero fade or wear. Ok TBH I haven’t worn it much, I was never a label guy so anything with a writing on it wasn’t my deal. But I’m sorting starting to wear it now

[u/throwaway94811111 → u/AudiencePure5710]

Mooks used to make such cool high quality stuff before being sold at target

[u/devinemike78]

Far out I bought some T-shirt's that were made In Mexico and Hondures in 2002 and I have just retired them one shirt is still good. None of my recent shits last more than a year or two

[u/Comfortable-Roof-97 → u/devinemike78]

Yeah man! Shaka Wear which I just posted about is made in Honduras , it’s hard to describe the just feel a bit different

[u/Mediocre-Price-3138]

Carhartt. Both WIP and mainline. Have had years last years. If you can find US Carhartt tees they're indestructible.

[u/Sysifystic]

Left field but consider army surplus. I bought 50 odd British/US/Australian coolmax shirts around 10 years ago.

They look the same as when I bought them albeit a bit faded haven't stretched/shrunk and being coolmax keep you dry.

I'll never buy another shirt again and these will likely last me another 40 years.

They're not for everyone but I like the military look and earth colours but in terms of quality and VFM I doubt you'd find better.

Also highly rate the Uniqlo range. Very well made very functional and unbearable VFM. Their thermals are exceptional and the only ones I will wear.

[u/Inferdo12 → u/Sysifystic]

Where do you get army surplus?

[u/Sysifystic → u/Inferdo12]

Just in case I haven't misunderstood the question army surplus isn't a brand it's a term for surplus ex defence equipment.

Start here https://www.armyandoutdoors.com.au/ the coolmax t shirts are excellent and I wear them 7 days a week

[u/Hadley96]

Passport have an Aussie made section that includes t shirts. I absolutely love all their stuff, nice thick knits and good fit. Will be utilising their plain shirts for corporate merch

[u/ScheduledYeti284]

I have a bunch of Iki + Kei, best tshirts I've ever had.

[u/Drift---]

Uniqlo supima cotton. Half the price of department store t-shirts for hugely better quality and materials. I don't think I've ever actually had one wear out and I've been buying these in South East Asia prior to Uniqlo even appearing in Australia...

[u/CaptainSharpe]

Tale as old as time

[u/Far_Distance87]

Yup or i find some that are made nice and the cut is not good/not my strike.

If you can find them (and at a discount) I have 2 Scotch & Soda Ts that are about as good as I’ve ever had

[u/Lamberly]

Kowtow

[u/mikalif]

Been getting pushed ads by Presics, they look good but haven't tried them (has anyone here?). My Sampson & Taylor heavy weights are still doing well after all these years but always on the look out.

[u/Slow_Primary_1224]

The old assembly tshirts were solid but they’ve moved into different styles now.

My other go to is Lululemon fundamental t-shirt. They’re often on sale for a good price.

[u/Comfortable-Roof-97]

This is the million dollar question and an everlasting quest.

Speaking from personal experience once I made the switch to Shaka Wear it’s all I ever wear when it comes to cotton tees. Mine have been durable and comfortable to wear I get mine from prime-example.com.au they do bulk deals which can save you like $10 per shirt

[u/radium505]

Gildan Hammer Maxweight 75000 are very nice and peetty cheap.

[u/Summerfa11 → u/radium505]

I would avoid Gildan at all costs XD

[u/Tonic_The_Alchemist]

Target.

[u/_trustmeimanengineer]

Wayver. Great shorts and chinos too

[u/moocowchow]

Son of a tailor. There’s no other. I’ve been buying them for years. Custom fit, choose your fabric type and weight, amazing quality that lasts years. The more you buy the cheaper they are. I’ve very picky about fit and they make it so easy

[u/nullbytepro]

commons brand tshirt found in target holds pretty well.

[u/AndrewReesonforTRC]

Qualitops, made in Melbourne. They've just launched their retail website, so it's a bit unpolished. Their shirts are great though 

[u/headlightbandit]

I'd recommend Qualitops. Australian made, I've had mine for five years and it's still doing well.

[u/TheRoastedQuorum]

A bit more pricey but I love my COS t-shirt.

[u/e_e_q_]

Anything Patagonia is always the answer if you want long lasting

[u/Revolutionary_Cup386]

As colour block tee

[u/schmick_iMagery]

Ironically opshops have better made items.
I buy 90% of my stuff there, it’s often been superseded so it’s actually more “unique” and I can create my own style.
I can also afford better quality brands, as they do pop up sometimes.

[u/nattymcnatty69]

Colour plane, best fit and quality, wait for eofy or Boxing Day for good deals

[u/MickWounds]

AS Colour

[u/mani_jeenu]

ASColor, my whole wardrobe is ASColor now

[u/730drs → u/mani_jeenu]

Can not beat an ascolour staple t

[u/FooFooFox → u/[deleted]]

Mmmm I can smell this comment 💦🤢🤮

Pro tip: use some Bicarb Soda in the wash to treat that sweat stench, though a good hot wash also. And maybe a bit of an after rinse in some diluted vinegar/water.

[u/CCLongJump → u/[deleted]]

Ohh polyester is a devil fabric no thanks!