Side seam versus tubular knit

Short answer: A tubular garment has no side seam. It is cheaper to sew but fits a body with a waist less well.

How they are made

Tubular knit is knitted as a tube and cut to shape. There is no seam at the side, only at shoulder and sleeve. A garment with side seams is cut from flat knit and sewn together on both sides.

What you feel on the body

Without side seams the garment is the same width all the way down. With side seams the cut can be narrower at the waist and wider over the hip. That fits most people better. See bamboo t-shirts for women.

When tubular is an advantage

There is no seam that can chafe, which is welcome in underwear and on sensitive skin. See bamboo underwear for women and bamboo t-shirts for men.

Frequently asked questions

How do I tell which one I have

Look at the side from the armpit down. If there is no seam, it is tubular.

Do tubular t-shirts twist

They can after washing if the knit was tensioned unevenly. Look for a seam that turns.

Is a side seam more expensive

Yes, it is more minutes of work. It often shows in the price.