T-shirts for the tall and skinny, and T-shirt care?

[CarllraC]

I'm a complete fashion newb.

From time to time I see a cool T-shirt - usually something in a solid color w/ an interesting design on the front or back. I'd really like to have a collection of about 5-7 'nice' T-shirts that I can wear casually or as part of an ensemble. But I have two problems, first, I can never get the sizing right, and second, I don't know how to properly care for them.

Regarding sizing, every brand seems to have a different cut. So I really have to try them on to see if they fit. Larges are sometimes perfect. And sometimes they are way too baggy and long. Mediums are sometimes great. Other times they look like baby T's. The perfect size for me seems to be 24" tube length and 21" tube width (note that most larges have greater than 21" width and look baggy). How and where would I find T-shirts for a tall skinny person like myself? Does it work to buy larger than normal and dry them on hot once to shrink them, or will that distend them in strange ways?

Also, let's say I have a perfectly sized T-shirt. What kind of care would I use to ensure it stays the same size?

 

[tweedlesinpink]

I'm not sure how much tees shrink or change in size, i pretty much throw mine into the wash and take them out to wear, throw them in...etc.

I'm just about 6ft and skinny, and sizing wise i take Ms most of the time. But then i wear my stuff slim.

 

[shyr_15]

Keep in mind that most of the T-shirts will shrink a little.
Wash all embellished garments inside out in cold water to preserve the color and design integrity. Do not use bleach. Hang dry. If you have to use an Iron, do not iron over the print. Iron on the reverse side.

 

[jet]

Here is how I wash all of my nice soft Ts

Coldest wash possible
hand wash cycle
woolite

Dry extremely low heat and remove when damp

Done.

All cotton Ts will shrink, some more than others. This method is to minimize that and I wear L and XLs depending on the make, there is no standard you just have to try them on it's not rocket science and no two will fit the same.

 

[tommib]

I think its silly washing tshirts in cold water, they're just tshirts no matter how expensive they are. You at least need a 30 degree wash to get them clean, especially as its summer. Just run them on a low agitation (synthetics wash) if you're worried. Don't bother drying them just hang them over an airer, its the drying that shrinks them if anything.

 

[jet]

Originally Posted by tommib

I think its silly washing tshirts in cold water, they're just tshirts no matter how expensive they are. You at least need a 30 degree wash to get them clean, especially as its summer. Just run them on a low agitation (synthetics wash) if you're worried. Don't bother drying them just hang them over an airer, its the drying that shrinks them if anything.

That is incorrect, warm/hot water shrinks them as well. If you care about not shrinking your shirts then it's not silly.

 

[tommib]

Originally Posted by JET

That is incorrect, warm/hot water shrinks them as well. If you care about not shrinking your shirts then it's not silly.

Well yeah hot water shrinks them. But 30 degrees doesn't shrink normal cotton t-shirts, or pretty much anything for that matter. And drying them on a heat low enough not to shrink your t-shirts takes ages anyway and is such a waste of electricity.