In recent years, we’ve seen a strong rejection of the thin, cheap fabrics now associated with disposability and fast fashion. Instead, many are embracing thicker, more substantial fabrics, with a focus on longevity and sustainability.
Photo by Ali Babajahdi
This applies to t-shirts as well, but are heavyweight options always the best kind to buy? Let’s take a look at some of the factors that can influence your ultimate decision, from differences within the heavyweight category to factors surrounding sustainability and cost.
What heavyweight actually means
First, how is a heavyweight fabric technically defined? One common way of defining it is through GSM, or grams per square metre of fabric. A lightweight t-shirt, perfect for summer, will often come in below 150 GSM. On the other hand, heavyweight t-shirts can be well over 200 GSM, sometimes even up to 300 GSM. Then you have the mid-range, which feels high quality but can be a bit more versatile, between around 150-200 GSM.
A lot of t-shirt wholesalers like Screen Textiles will list the fabric weight in the item description, instead of saying ‘heavy’ or ‘light’, so it’s good to be able to translate between the number and the adjective.
Climatic considerations
One important factor that can have an impact on what t-shirt weight is best is the climate you’re in. In winter, or even cool spring and autumn evenings, a heavy t-shirt can be absolutely perfect. They’re quite warm and can really help to stop that biting wind from getting to your skin.
In the heat of the summer, however, they’re sometimes a bit too much. If the sun is really pouring down, and it’s above 30°C, you might want to choose something a little lighter, that keeps the sun off your skin but still lets you breathe.
Layering
It’s also important to think about how t-shirts of different weights can affect layering. If you’re going to be wearing something as a base layer, maybe under a shirt and jacket, then you may want to consider how a thinner t-shirt will leave less of an outline.
If, however, you’re relying more on the t-shirt itself for both warmth and a strong aesthetic, then a more substantial fabric and fit might be more suitable.
Sustainability and cost
Heavier fabrics last a lot longer than lighter ones, and this can have a positive impact on both sustainability and cost. Even if you end up spending twice as much as you would on a lightweight, cheaper t-shirt, a higher quality item with a higher GSM could easily last you 5 years instead of just 5 months or so.
That will often be better for the planet and your clothing expenses, and should be factored in when you’re making your decision.
In our opinion, heavyweight tees will always be a better buy than lightweight options that feel flimsy and will wear out far too quickly. By investing in a higher-quality option, you can get something that feels far more pleasant to wear and can remain in your wardrobe for some time to come.