In most cases, 100% cotton is the way to go. It's a natural material, that's comfortable to wear, easy to wash and maintain. Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds.
One of the advantages of cotton tees is that they are made from natural fibres, which means they are free of chemicals, they are hypoallergenic and does not irritate skin. Cotton fabrics are also breathable, which are a great option for hot weather. There are also different types of "knits" that make up a cotton tee, for example Cotton jersey knit, Cotton ribbed knit, Cotton Lycra/spandex knit, French terry knit, and many more.
Another thing to know is the GSM of the cotton fabric. GSM is short for grams per square meter. All fabrics have a weight, and the standard measurement for the weight and quality of fabrics is grams per square meter. This number refers to the density of the fabric. Low GSM density fabrics are very thin and light and are often see through. The higher the GSM density the heavier the cloth becomes. Any clothing under around 160 GSM can be considered to be lightweight, while any clothing with a GSM around 180 to 200+ is generally considered to be a top end heavyweight t-shirt.
As you can imagine any clothing 180 GSM and above is a much thicker garment than a lightweight clothing and offers better retention of heat and more comfortable overall fit. As the fabric is much thicker those of lightweight clothings, you are generally going to find that they last longer and continue to hold their colour after multiple washes.
Here at Kloft, we designed our clothing to be around 180 - 220 GSM, depending on the design and collection. This is to ensure our clothings have maximum comfort and durability.