Black Long Sleeve T-Shirt – Guide

Short answer: A black long sleeved T-shirt goes with everything and hides most things, but it also reveals faded colour and pilling quickly. So choose a colourfast quality such as bamboo viscose, which keeps its deep black wash after wash and pills less than cotton.

Why it is a basic

Black is easy to style, reads as neat and works for both everyday and evening. A black long sleeve works alone, under a blazer or as a layer under knitwear. See the long sleeved bamboo T-shirts for men and long sleeved bamboo T-shirts for women.

Black reveals wear

Precisely because black is so useful, it gets worn most, and that is when wear shows first. Pilling stands out clearly on black fabric, and a faded shoulder is visible in daylight. It is not the colour's fault, but a question of how many times the garment has been worn.

How to stop black turning grey

Fading comes mainly from high temperatures and the tumble dryer. Wash inside out at 30 degrees with other dark laundry and air dry in the shade, and the garment keeps its colour. Sunlight on a wet black top is the fastest route to pale shoulders after one summer.

Pilling and how to avoid it

Pilling happens when short fibres rub against each other and roll up. Bamboo viscose has long, smooth fibres and therefore pills less than cotton. Turn the garment inside out before washing and wash it with soft items, because zips and velcro are what start the pills.

For everyday and evening

The black long sleeve is one of the few garments that goes straight from a working day to dinner. It only needs a layer over it: a blazer, a cardigan or a dark shirt. That is also why it is the one most worth owning in two copies.

Two blacks are rarely the same

Two black tops of different ages rarely look the same in daylight, because one has faded more. If they are to be worn together, buy them at the same time and wear them in turn. Otherwise save the newer one for the days when black meets black.

Colourfastness is a requirement

A good black top releases dye only in the very first wash. If the water is still colouring after three washes, the dye has not been fixed properly, and the top will grey over a season. It is the simplest test of quality, and it costs nothing.

Washing and storage

Wash at 30 degrees inside out, leave out fabric softener and bleach, and dry the garment in the shade. Fold it in the wardrobe instead of hanging it, so the shoulders and neckline are not pulled out of shape between wearings. See also washing guide for bamboo clothing, bamboo and economy and bamboo t-shirt vs. cotton t-shirt.