Clothing
Clothes are bought on fit and price. What decides whether a shirt is bearable in May, whether a kid's t-shirt survives 40 washes, or whether office trousers crease by noon, is the fibre, the fabric weight in GSM, the weave and the finish. This guide turns 'what should I wear' into a spec sheet you can check on any label.
A few questions about your situation, not about the product.
Answer all 4 questions to see the spec sheet to shop with.
Cotton, linen, viscose/rayon, modal, polyester, wool, and blends — printed on the wash label.
Why it matters
Natural fibres breathe and absorb sweat; polyester wicks but holds odour; blends trade comfort for wrinkle resistance and price.
What to check
'Cotton-rich' can be 55% cotton. In peak Indian summer, anything over 30% polyester feels sticky.
How heavy the fabric is per square metre.
Why it matters
T-shirts: 140–160 GSM light summer, 180–200 GSM everyday, 220+ GSM heavy/structured. Shirts: 100–130 GSM.
What to check
Sub-140 GSM tees go transparent and lose shape; 220 GSM tees are too warm for most of the year here.
Poplin, oxford, twill, chambray for shirts; single jersey, pique, interlock for tees.
Why it matters
Poplin is smooth and cool; oxford is textured and durable; twill resists creasing; pique breathes better than jersey.
What to check
Sateen-finish shirts look premium but trap heat; slub weaves hide sweat marks better.
For shirts, yarn count (40s, 60s, 80s, 100s) — higher is finer.
Why it matters
Higher counts feel softer and lighter; lower counts are tougher for daily wear.
What to check
80s+ cotton is delicate — beautiful for occasions, not for a daily commute.
Slim, regular, relaxed — and the actual chest/waist/length in inches on the size chart.
Why it matters
Brand sizing is inconsistent; measurements are not. Fit affects airflow, which affects perceived heat.
What to check
Measure a garment you already like and compare numbers, not the S/M/L letter.
Pre-shrunk, bio-washed, reactive-dyed, sanforised.
Why it matters
Untreated cotton can shrink 5–7% in the first wash and bleed onto other clothes.
What to check
Dark cheap cotton without 'pre-shrunk' or 'bio-washed' on the label will change size and colour.
OEKO-TEX certification, azo-free dyes, wrinkle-free resin treatment, anti-microbial coating.
Why it matters
Matters most for babies, kids and anyone with sensitive skin; resin finishes reduce breathability.
What to check
For infants, look for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I and flat/covered seams.
Stitches per inch, double-needle hems, ribbed collars, seam finishing.
Why it matters
This is where cheap clothes fail — twisted side seams, curling hems, collars that go wavy.
What to check
Pull the seam gently; if you see gaps and loose thread, it will open in months.
Cost per wear beats sticker price — a ₹1,200 cotton shirt worn 100 times is cheaper than three ₹500 ones that pill.
