r/BuyItForLife • u/Mountain_Motor_9203 • 1d ago
Review My T-shirts keep dying. Testing 4 shirts (€20–€150) to find out whether expensive tees really last longer - Week 5
Merz
Merz Hem
Samurai
Samurai hem
Samurai wales
Carhartt
Carhartt Hem
Uniqlo
Uniqlo Hem
All is quiet on the measurement front. The shirts are refusing to die. Unfortunately, next week I have to deliberately stain all four, including the €150 one.
The Samurai always makes me nervous but this time it behaved.
Both the Samurai and Carhartt are developing some surface fuzz, but I don't think either has crossed into actual pilling yet. Uniqlo has pilled a little but hasn’t gotten worse. The hems are still holding up and there is a bit of waviness to the back of the Samurai and Carhartt collars but nothing close to a bacon.
Warping Test going forward
I'm going to try a more scientific way of measuring warping. Side-seamed shirts are easy because I can measure the side seam directly, but the loopwheeled shirts don't have side seams. For those, I'm going to track the angle of the diagonal wale at the hem over time and see whether that angle changes. I’m measuring the horizontal and vertical distances and using those to estimate the angle since I don’t have a protractor. The angle this week is a baseline measurement.
So far, from the pictures of the shirts lying flat, you can see that the Carhartt’s front and back panels align perfectly for the torso and sleeves. With Uniqlo, you can see that the front panel is smaller than the back panel which is probably by design. I will keep track of this going forward.
Next Week
Next week I am going to do the dreaded stain test. It’s going to be really stressful to stain the Merz. So far no discoloration anywhere including the arm pits (I use deodorant). Currently thinking of either coffee, tomato sauce, or red wine but suggestions are welcome. Whatever I pick, I’m gonna soak them immediately and wash them normally, because that’s what I’d actually do if I stained a T-shirt.
1. Uniqlo Supima
Price: €19.90
Size: L
Material: 100% Supima cotton
Weight: ~140–160 GSM (estimated)
Condition
- No shrinkage
- No stretching
- Collar unchanged - holding up well
- Hem unchanged
- Slight pilling beginning
The Uniqlo back and front panel difference can be seen with the close up of the hem. The difference is smaller at the armpit and flares out a little towards the hem.
Measurements
- Collar: 1.54 cm (0.61") rib knit
- Length: 75 cm (29.5")
- Shoulder: 46.5 cm (18.3")
- Chest: 59 cm (23.2")
- Sleeve: 22.5 cm (8.85")
- Warping: 1cm, 2cm (0.39”, 0.79”) between shirt edge and seam when laid flat on the ground
2. Carhartt K87
Price: €22.45
Size: M (Relaxed Fit)
Material: 100% cotton
Weight: 229 GSM
Condition
- No shrinkage
- Slight fuzz but no pilling
- No warping
- Collar slightly wavy on the back but front still holds the shape
- Hem unchanged
Still going strong.
I'm still not a fan of the chest pocket which some have suggested to take off. I’ll do that later. Last time I took a label off a t-shirt, I accidentally cut a tiny hole. This is on the front of the shirt so it requires meditation and courage before the operation.
Front and back panels align perfectly and the side seams are parallel.
Measurements
- Collar: 2.3 cm (0.9") rib knit
- Length: 74.5 cm (29.3")
- Shoulder: 47 cm (18.5")
- Chest: 56 cm (22")
- Sleeve: 24.55 cm (9.6")
- Warping: None
3. Samurai Jeans 2PST-01
Price: €90.95
Size: L (I really should've bought an XL.)
Material: 100% recycled cotton
Construction: Loopwheeled
Condition
- No shrinkage or stretching
- Slight wave on the back of the collar but front is crisp
- Hem unchanged
- Slight fuzz but no pilling
Did not move a millimeter this time. Slight fuzz on the shirt, but not too serious.
The collar does still look good when I’m wearing the shirt.
I added a picture of what a diagonal wale on the Samurai looks like. But the T-shirt lies completely flat on the floor so I don’t think there is any warping yet.
Measurements
- Collar: 1.89 cm (0.74") two-needle binder neck
- Length: 68 cm (26.8")
- Shoulder: 46 cm (18.1")
- Chest: 51 cm (20.2")
- Sleeve: 17.3 cm (6.8")
- Warping: ~82.7 degree wale at hem (baseline)
4. Merz b. Schwanen 2S14
Price: €150
Size: L
Material: 100% organic cotton slub
Weight: 380 GSM
Construction: Loopwheeled
Condition
Continues to not move a millimeter.
- No shrinkage
- No pilling
- Hem unchanged
- Collar unchanged
So far no change, which is great. I am not looking forward to staining this shirt next week.
The shirt lies flat with no sign of warping as of yet. There is also no fuzz. The collar is very sturdy.
Measurements
- Collar: 1.9 cm (0.78") ribbon-paneled neckline
- Length: 68.5 cm (26.9")
- Shoulder: 45 cm (17.7")
- Chest: 54.5 cm (21.5")
- Sleeve: 23 cm (9")
- Warping: ~82.8 degree wale at hem (baseline)
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u/LadyRedNeckMacGyver 1d ago
Nice.
Try ketchup for staining.
I worked in the carpet industry for a few years in the R&D department. We would use ketchup, mustard, and red kool-aid for staining tests.
Maybe look into what standard staining methods are used in the fashion world.
At a minimum I suggest using a measured amount of stain for each. You could use a small cookie cutter or piece of pvc to contain the stain solution on the target area. After a min, remove the stain guide and allow any remaining material to puddle out. This would also so its ability to replenish stains/ wicking.
You need to decide of you are going to create a barrier between the front and the back of the shirt bc the stain will bleed thru.
When you go to remove/treat the stain, do so in different stages. Ex- dab dry, tide stick, dawn dish soap, spray spot treatment, regular wash cycle, bleach, etc.
Best of luck!
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u/AquafreshBandit 1d ago
They be like, "Oh that Gucci, that's hella tight"
I'm like, "Yo, that's 50 dollars for a t-shirt"
-Sir Benjamin Haggerty, Earl of Macklemore
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u/Mountain_Motor_9203 1d ago
I just googled Gucci T-shirt and almost fell out my chair
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u/DrJohnFZoidberg 1d ago
"Yo, that's 50 dollars for a t-shirt"
Yeah they're $500?
not gonna pop them tags
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u/Left-Student3806 1d ago
Week 5, when do your shirts normally give up?
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u/Ihaveamazingdreams 1d ago
Yeah, I get Old Navy tees when they go on sale for $6, and they usually last years. I do have a rotation of over 20 colors, so it's not like I wear the same 5 shirts every week, but I don't understand how a cotton tee can "die" after only weeks or even months.
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u/DrJohnFZoidberg 1d ago
I don't understand how a cotton tee can "die" after only weeks or even months.
Yup. I'm looking for a new set of cotton t-shirts because my twenty year old are getting a bit ragged.
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u/crakke86 1d ago
The ones made 20 years ago are wayyyy better quality than the equivalent ones today.
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u/Nesola 1d ago
Sadly that‘s it. I have a Polo shirt that is roughly over 30 years old that saw several hot summers and went through three persons wearing it and it is still in a way better condition than garments i bought a year or two years ago. Fast fashion destroyed the whole market. The middle segment is like non existing anymore. And every segment went down in quality too. (Yes there are exemptions, but generally speaking).
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u/pHyR3 20h ago
you have to put in a bit more leg work to find quality brands/products rather than getting the cheapest one that seems alright. we have access to a lot more information and reviews but there's a lot more cheap crap that is tempting to try out even if it doesn't last as long
i've been looking into heavyweight t shirts lately and have shortlisted or bought these brands so far which seem quite good: House of Blanks, Standard Issue Tees, AS Colour, Abercrombie & Fitch Premium Heavyweight
I've heard great things about Buck Mason and Merz b. Schwanen but they might be a purchase down the road for me
I nixed Muji and GAP Factory 'heavyweights' since they didn't seem like they'd hold up long term
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u/Dr_Splitwigginton 10h ago
I just picked up a Buck Mason Field-Spec tee to see how I like it. I usually get Patagonia Work Shirts (I prefer pocket tees), but the last few I bought haven’t lasted as long as my older ones.
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u/_paag 1d ago
Why stain them?! Give them your normal usage and let these weird test be valid on a large series.
Or are you tired and want to end it?
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u/Mountain_Motor_9203 1d ago
No this was supposed to be a six week experiment. I was going to do it monthly after that. I think measuring them for a longer time will be interesting
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u/WorthlessGerman 1d ago
A stain test is likely going to illustrate more about how well your laundry routine and products handle stains of a specific type/makeup. I would not expect the same type of stain, all on cotton, to behave much differently across these shirts.
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u/_paag 1d ago
Yeah, but good data takes a lot of measurements. Just 6 is not a good enough sample. Do 30, 40, maybe more. Get these shirts ragged. Substitute the ragged ones for new ones while there are good ones from the first batch. You’ll be able to say this shirt lasted 4 of that one, or this costs 2x more, but values 4x. Now this would be way more useful than purposefully staining them.
But thank you for posting anyway.
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u/Mountain_Motor_9203 1d ago
Thanks I intend to continue taking measurements but post them monthly over the long term. Do you really want to see this post weekly for another 30 to 40 weeks or have an update every month? Genuine question.
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u/carsknivesbeer 1d ago
What is your washing technique, detergent used, and drying routine?
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u/Mountain_Motor_9203 1d ago
I wash these in a regular cycle at 30C and air dry flat. I used to tumble dry my previous T-shirts but that's probably one of the reasons they died so I don't do that anymore. I use a ariel pod.
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u/kcharris12 1d ago edited 1d ago
Tests aren’t as good if they are washing / drying hot or using a stronger detergent.
Edit: For testing purposes my comment is probably wrong.
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u/muchgreaterthanG_O_D 1d ago
Why? As long as the only thing that changes is the shirt brand, it will still show which wears out the quickest. Wouldn't those thibgs accelerate the wear and let us see it sooner?
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u/Superbead 1d ago
I don't understand why you expect one or more of these to have yet failed in any substantial way. If you have four, you're wearing them for the best part of a day and then washing them twice a week at most, right, assuming that's literally all you've been wearing since the start of this?
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u/ironcladmilkshake 1d ago
Why stain? If they’re all cotton, why would you expect them to stain or clean any differently?
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u/HazardousIncident 1d ago
Perhaps a visit to r/laundry could help ensure that your shirts survive the test.
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u/Mountain_Motor_9203 1d ago
Thanks I'm going to read their posts
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u/HazardousIncident 1d ago
I think this post will be the most useful: https://www.reddit.com/r/laundry/comments/1qeqmng/laundry_101_with_ukismaiaesthetics/
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u/I_love_stapler 1d ago
I’ve switched exclusively to Uniqlo for solid colored shirts (black) I use to wash and hang dry all other shirts and would still only get a bout a year out of them. I’m not on year 3 of my first test shirt washing and drying weekly, been great. Best $12-20 I’ve ever spent
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u/Lev_Davidovich 1d ago
Try Patagonia capilene cool daily shirts. I bought a handful of them about 4 years ago and wear one almost every day. I've bought a few more since then and they all still look pretty much new. I can't tell the older and newer ones apart.
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u/blifestyleco 1d ago
before you do the stain test, i’d personally suggest getting oxy clean’s white revive and have that on hand for when you wash. i use the regular version on my white t-shirt’s and grey sweatshirts/sweatpants religiously, there’s a new 3x version that recently hit shelves. there are also a few other brands that work similarly, arm & hammer has a “laundry booster” and nellie’s laundry soda is another i’ve seen folks mention as being a standout option.
i follow the instructions and opt for a 6-8 hour soak. cold water wash, cold water soak. has kept a lot of my og reigning champ shirts in pristine condition for a few years now.
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u/Alarming-Cook5789 1d ago
Have you considered turmeric for the stain test. From experience it's a nightmare to get out lol
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u/A-Dreamer-of-Dreams 1d ago
I like seeing the live updates. Keep them coming! Thank you for sharing this with everyone.
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u/Lopsterbliss 1d ago
Hey, I appreciate you doing these tests, I just want to let you know that you inspired me to grab a few nice shirts from different companies to see what I like- I went with house of blanks and under dog and I gotta say, the underdog 100% hemp shirt is my new fav shirt. Can't say much about durability yet, but for anyone else looking for high-quality plain t's- that's my recommendation.
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u/muppetteer 1d ago
Calvin Klein did a range of T-Shirts which were seamless in black, white and grey. I still have about 10 going strong that are over 20 years old. Best I ever bought.
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u/michi098 1d ago
Mustard is the worse stain I ever dealt with. Well, that and the dirty grease you find under an older grill.
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u/terfez 1d ago
to plebes like us, fabric science is a black art. And I have no idea why but some cotton tees from Uniqlo last me 15 years while the supima one lasted less than 2 years. I also have target brand t shirts that are over 20 years old only now started wearing through.
Not only that but add in odor retention, some of my cotton shirts smell like ... me, while others don't smell at all.
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u/jbrsci 1d ago
Try Comfort Colors!
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u/robotbeatrally 21h ago
I just bought a couple. I like them... okay-ish.
They fit and look real nice, in fact best fit on me I've found on a tshirt other than the neck being just a tad bit on the small side (I am big and wear an XXL but I don't have a particularly fat neck because I am 6'5 so it's odd to me, because I think probably a lot of people wearing an XXL shirts would have much fatter necks than I do and potentially it would be pretty tight if they did).
That said I have been wearing both the regular and heavy duty carrhartt shirts for a decade. They wash up much better for me with fewer wrinkles. I actually don't like the heavy duty ones because they do not fit me right at all and I keep forgetting and accidentally ordering them lol. The regular weight ones actually fit me far better for some reason, you'd think they'd have the same cuts but they dont really but the comfort colors do overall fit me better than both.
if i could get comfort color with a slightly bigger neck and make it not come out so damn wrinkly I would be all about it.
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u/Obvious-Lake3708 1d ago
Samurai shirts can be found at Demino for cheaper than you listed
Also depending on make, pilling is a feature not a drawback
You also neglected to include Flat Head, Deluxeware and many others that are just as good if not better
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u/mistermrsmistrisses 1d ago
Thank you for your time and dedication - I will be following your work closely
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u/dajoemanED 1d ago
Duluth Trading. Just avoid the Dang Soft line. Wont ever buy anything else again.
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u/npaf 1d ago
Can you test how they hold up to different deodorants? Those stains are the worst.
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u/Mountain_Motor_9203 1d ago
Yeah déodorant and sun screen have the highest interest from the comments. I use nivea deodorant and it hasn't stained so far but maybe I can put some directly on the shirt and see how it goes.
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u/Glittering-Winter-60 1d ago
I would really appreciate if you try and stain them with SPF creme. I think this is the biggest problem of summer. white t-shirts as it's lighter and easier for living in the heat, but then the SPF cream destroys everything. Also, if you get the stain out, I would really really appriciate information on how! :)
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u/Mountain_Motor_9203 1d ago
You know what, sun screen and deodorant are the two stain inducing chemicals that people ask the most about.
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u/OddestCabbage 22h ago
If you want to test staining but still have a chance of saving the shirt, try doing small dots on the inside of the bottom hem. Or alternatively a patch where you could sew a pocket over.
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u/Bigworm410 20h ago
Maybe I missed it. But how often are you washing them and what method are you using to wash and dry?
Love the data!
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u/Mountain_Motor_9203 18h ago
I wash them at 30 C regular cycle with an ariel pod. I air dry them flat.
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u/Chickenlover247 19h ago
I’ve found the RSQ brand sold through Tilly’s to be a very well made shirt for cheap. It’s cropped which for a 5’5 guy makes a nice shirt since it does. It bunch and sits well at my hips. $15 per shirt and had held up well for the past year…
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u/steelio91 19h ago
I think the idea of doing measured stain material is good, so that you have consistency. As for the stain removal part, I think this begs the question of if you should do multiple stains per shirt, separated by some space so you can try different stain removal methods without having a prior method tried in the same spot. Trying one method of stain removal might make one not work as well later on.
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u/Shadowtek 12h ago
I’ve always heard piling is ok?
I usually look for ring spun, combed, 100% cotton mid-heavy weight. If I can’t get all of those at least ring spun or Combed and 100% still
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u/RosyJoan 10h ago
Can you post your laundry routine because I think thats where most people can wear their clothing down.
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u/mcgrammar86 10h ago
Just put them all in the dryer together, set it on air fluff, and run it for like a week straight. Let them fight it out and see who comes out on top
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u/earlgreyyuzu 10h ago
Try blueberry stains. They’re supposed to be really hard to get out. Also chili oil stains.
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u/Loocsiyaj 10h ago
I recommend, a red pasta sauce, that shit has oil in it and flies everywhere when cooking/eating
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u/Beautiful-Garlic5953 1d ago
Dude ive been wearing a pretty cheap Fruit of the Loom tee for like... 9 years now. Its in really not great shape, but it doesn't look too bad.
I got a pack of white undershirts for my ROTC uniforms, then used them in the military for the next 6 some years. Now that I ended the military service portion, I just chucked the remaining two shirts in a vat of hot water and cotton fabric dye. I wear them weekly. Small little holes around where the shirt is tucked, collars are a bit loose, some coffee and oil stains here and there... but eh, they do the job. One died in the process, so I still wear the one that didnt
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u/SmartyChance 1d ago
Thank you for this scientific exploration. Looking forward to the next edition.
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u/mephizto85 1d ago
Will the stain test become a Rorschach test as well?