Cheap versus expensive in basics
Short answer: In basics the difference comes mostly from the weight of the fabric and how the seams are made. Two garments at very different prices can have the same fabric, so those are the two things to look for, and not the price alone.
What basics are
Basics are the garments you put on almost every day: t-shirts, underwear and simple tops. They have plain shapes and single color fabric, so there is little to hide behind. That is why the difference between a good and a poor garment is easier to feel here than in clothes with many details and patterns.
What you get for the first few coins
From the cheapest to the mid range there is a real difference. The fabric gets denser, the neckline becomes ribbed, and the seams become stretchy. These are changes you cannot see in a photo, but you feel them after three months, when the cheap garment has lost its shape and the better one still fits.
What you get for the next ones
From the mid range upward the difference gets smaller. You pay for finer yarn, more colors and a better fit, not necessarily for a longer life. They are still garments of good quality, but the gain per coin is not the same as in the first step. See for example bamboo t-shirts for men.
Weight decides a lot
The weight of the fabric says something about how much yarn was used and how dense the knit is. A thin fabric wears out quickly where it rubs against clothes or skin. A denser fabric holds its shape better but is also warmer. Choose the weight by when and where you wear the garment.
The neckline tells the truth
The neckline is the first place where a cheap garment gives up. A flat edge without elastic soon goes wide and drops. A ribbed edge holds its shape because it pulls back together. Look at the edge when you compare two garments, and check how much it gives when you stretch it.
Seams must be able to stretch
Stretchy seams follow the fabric when you move, while a stiff seam can burst if you bend over or stretch your arms. A cheap garment often has simple seams that do not give. Look at the seam from the inside and pull gently, so you see whether the thread gives or strains.
How to choose sensibly
Choose by how often you wear the garment. For something you wear once a week, the mid range is plenty. For something you wear daily, a better fabric pays off. Think of the price per wear and not the price per garment. See bamboo underwear for men and bamboo clothing for women to compare levels.
Is a multipack worse
No. A multipack is often the same item with less packaging per piece, and that lowers the price per garment without the fabric being poorer. Read the label and see whether it is the same material as the single item. Then you get the same quality at a lower price, and that is a good way to buy basics.
Can you see it in a photo
Rarely. A photo shows color and shape, but not weight, neckline or seams. If there is a description, read it for details on material and weight. If you can feel the garment, do it when you get it home, and judge whether the price matched the quality before you decide to keep it.
Frequently asked questions
What does a sensible basic t-shirt cost
It varies, but the price jump from the cheapest to the mid range gives the most. From there up you more often pay for finer yarn and more colors than for a longer life.
Is a multipack worse
No. It is often the same item with less packaging per piece. Read the label and check that the material is the same as in the single item, and you get the same quality at a lower price.
Can you see it in a photo
Rarely. Weight and neckline are the two things that decide it, and you can only feel them in your hand. Read the description and judge the garment when you get it home.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
