About T-shirt Sleeves Types of T-shirts >> T-shirts >> Shirts
Tees come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. And obviously, different novelty prints.
T-shirts are typically made of cotton textile in a jersey knit (typically, but not always). The primary parts include the design of the sleeve (or lack of sleeve), neckline, and body (torso) of the shirt.
About T-shirt Sleeves
The sleeve is the part of a garment that covers the arm, or through which the arm passes or slips. Sleeve length varies from barely over the shoulder (cap sleeve) to floor-length (which would be ridiculous for a t-shirt). The majority of contemporary shirt sleeves end somewhere between the mid-upper arm and the wrist.
Sleeveless - a sleeveless shirt can be referenced by a variety of names such as tank top, muscle tees, wife beaters, etc. The sleeveless style leaves the wearers arms and the majority or complete shoulder bare. This type of t-shirt will generally have straps over the shoulder of varying widths. The straps of fabric can be thin or cover the entire top of the shoulder. Sleeveless t-shirts are good for athletics, warm weather, and for simply looking very fashion able and cool...
Sleeveless tops with very thin strips may be called camisoles (those are not t-shirts)
Cap Sleeve - A very short sleeve covering only the shoulder, not extending below armpit level. The cap sleeve style is primarily used for women's t-shirts. We are not saying men can't wear them, but they have traditionally been most often designed for women. The cap sleeve shirt is usually not as loose around the upper arms as a standard cut t-shirt. The length of the sleeve is also a bit shorter than a normal short sleeve tee. This type of sleeve covers the top of the shoulder but does not extend around and under the arm.
Short Sleeve - do we really have to explain this type of t-shirt? The short sleeve style is the most common sort of t-shirt sleeve. The sleeve of this tee covers approximately half of the wearers upper arm. The length varies by manufacturer, brand, or the whim of the fashion designer. A short sleeve t-shirt can have a boxy look or with a more fitted look.
3/4 Sleeve / Three Quarter Length Sleeve - A sleeve that extends from the shoulder to a length mid-way between the elbow and the wrist.
Long Sleeve - The long sleeve t-shirt has fabric from the shoulder all the way down to the wrist. The most common style of this sleeve is cut in a straight line down the arm with some ease but no bagginess. These sleeves can end in a cuff that is tighter around the wrist, or they can have a looser, open wrist.
Raglan Sleeve - A sleeve that extends to the neckline. This distinctive look is also referred to as a baseball T-shirt because the style is used in most baseball uniforms. In this style, the sleeve is attached to the shirt on a diagonal instead of a straight up-and-down seam. Often, this style uses different colors of fabric for the sleeve and the bodice to emphasize the lines. The Raglan t-shirt come in various sleeve lengths. The term refers to the style of the sleeve and not the length.
Note: shirts have additional sleeve options. Above are most popular.
About T-shirt Styles
Basic Tee - a basic t-shirt is often referred to as a solid t-shirt or blank t-shirt because they are generally made in one solid color. For example, a basic solid white t-shirt or solid black tee, etc. These shirts are versatile and part of most peoples wardrobe.
A basic solid tee is not decorated with printing or embroidery. However, t-shirt printers use a basic tee to then create printed or otherwise decorated shirts. They are often referred to as "blanks" when printers order them from clothing factories or distributors. For example, "the t-shirt printer ordered 5000 blanks so that they could print a new batch or Zap Teez". Or one can say, "the t-shirt printer ordered 5000 basic tees so that they could print a new batch of Zap Teez".
Fitted T-shirt - a fitted shirt is tighter to the body to show off the wearers figure. Fitted means a more tailored fit, snug on the body, more fit under the arms and side. A regular fit shirt is usually looser and not so tight.
Graphic - a graphic t-shirt is possibly the "best type of t-shirt". The graphic tee has an image printed on the garment. The images are often put onto the fabric with a screen printing process but other methods are also used. Direct to garment printing (digital printing) and dyeing can be used to create graphic illustrations or text on t-shirts. Graphic t-shirts generally contain words or logos, but can be various types of artwork or simply splashes of color. A popular type of the graphic T-shirt is the band or concert T-shirt, which displays a band's name, logo, concert tour dates, or even lyrics. A graphic t-shirt can be as simple as a one color print of your favorite brands name, or a complex work of art such as the Zap Teez. Novelty t-shirts are popular with men, women, and children of all ages. Novelty graphics can be printed with various techniques such as glow ink, gels, puff prints, glitter, reflective inks, etc.
Embellished - an embellishment is anything that adds design interest to clothing. Embellishments can include printing, embroidery, glitter, rhinestones, studs, appliqué, lace, sparkles, fringe, beads, piping, trim, etc. Embellishments can be utilized to create logos, spell out words, or form other aspects of design similar to graphic t-shirts. Embellishment such as lace can alter the design of the garment in various ways. For example, lace can be used to alter the shape or length of the sleeve, neckline, or bodice.
Muscle Tee / Tank Tops - type of sleeve less t-shirt.
About T-shirt Neck Line Options
Crew Neck (Round Neckline) - A crew neck or crew-neck is a type of shirt that has a round neckline and no collar. It is often worn with other layers. The T-shirt crew neck was developed in 1932 as an undergarment that would absorb sweat. The U.S. Navy was the first of the U.S. armed forces to adopt the crew-neck T-shirt or "Gob Shirt".
V-Necks (2–4 linear edges, side edges diverge) - this type of t-shirt neckline is formed by two diagonal lines from the shoulders that meet on the chest creating a V shape. The depth of the V can vary, ranging from demure styles to plunging necklines. The surplice version of this neckline (known as a portrait neckline) is an alternative. The V may also be truncated by a small bottom edge, forming a trapezoid.
Scoop Necks (curved, concave up) - these have a curved U-shape, with the arms of the U hanging on the shoulders. The depth of the U can vary, ranging from demure styles to plunging.
Square Neck - (linear side edges neither converge nor diverge) these are characterized by three linear edges, the bottom edge meeting the side edges at right angles. The bottom edge cuts across the figure horizontally and the side edges pass over the shoulders. A special case of this is the slot neckline, in which the side edges are very close (roughly the width of the collar-bone points), forming a narrow slot.
Other shirt necklines to consider but not typically used for t-shirts include polo neck, jewel neckline, boat neck, off-the-shoulder, one-shoulder necklines, halter necklines, sweetheart necklines, keyhole necklines, and surplice neckline.
More about T-shirts
T-shirts are worn by both men and women. The style, color, and other preferences are purely at the discretion of the wearer. The garment can be very tightly fitted or extremely loose. The majority of t-shirts sold for men are fitted but still loose so that the tee is not too clingy or tight. Women's t-shirts can be specially designed with curved seams to properly fit a woman's natural curves. A regular t-shirt that is cut more boxy can be less flattering for some women. The style & fit varies depending on the current trends in fashion.
Most t-shirts are manufactured with jersey knit fabric. This type of of fabric construction has a distinctively pliable texture compared to shirts made of woven cloth (knit fabric has more stretch than woven). The majority of modern t-shirt versions have a body made from a continuously knitted tube (tubular fabric), on a circular loom, so that the torso has no side seams. Although the above mentioned is "common" it is not always the case.
As you are aware, their are many different styles of t-shirt. It is important to also understand that each style has a variety of manufacturing processes, requirements, and options. Each manufacturer has the option of different fiber content, fabric construction, sewing patterns, etc. Therefore, it is very possible that two shirts that are both called "crew neck t-shirts" can each be different in some respects.
We hope that above has helped you learn more about the various types of t-shirts.
Now you are ready to shop for t-shirts.
Copyright 2016-2019 All Rights Reserved.