Apparel

What is the best Garment for me?

Determining what type of garment to select can be overwhelming with so many different options to choose from. This guide is here to help point you in the right direction.

If you are looking for the most cost effective shirt that has several fabric options and a standard fit then Gildan® is your answer.

When looking for something like company polo shirts, Jerzees® and Gildan® have multiple options that are good quality and affordable. They also have many high visibility options for most garments.

For performance wear we suggest going with All Sport® because they specialize in quality 100% polyester garments at affordable costs.

A lot of fraternities and sororities we have worked with like to use Comfort Colors® for their wide selection of colors and quality in long sleeve shirts & crewneck sweatshirts. However your options are open.

Clothing brands all have their own styles so it is completely up to you. Keep in mind though you may want to use clothing brands/options that have tearaway labels for relabeling. Brands like Alternative®, Next Level®, and Bella + Canvas® have retail quality garment options.

What kind of Fabric is most suitable for your needs?

100% Cotton

Used in most standard shirts, these are generally good for events, promotional shirts, or team shirts because of their low cost and durability. Cotton shirts, although often preshrunk, are still known to shrink in the wash some, so keep this in mind when choosing sizes.

Pros

Easy Printing
Comfort
Low Cost

Cons

Shrinking in Wash
Wrinkles Easily
Absorbency (fabric holds onto sweat and moisture)

100% Ringspun Cotton

Ringspun Cotton is softer and thinner than standard 100% cotton. It is also more durable and does not shrink as much as the 100% cotton. There are very affordable options for these shirts if you are looking for a softer better quality shirt.

Pros

Easy Printing
Supreme Comfort
Low Cost

Cons

Slight Shrinking in Wash
Wrinkles
Absorbency (fabric holds onto sweat and moisture)

100% Polyester

Polyester is used most often in sports performance shirts because it keeps us cool and has moisture wicking properties. The fabric itself is stretchy and durable. These performance-type shirts however tend to be more expensive than the cotton shirt options.

Pros

Athletic Performance
Strength & Durability
Wrinkle Resistance

Cons

Low Breathability
Some Printing Limitations

Cotton/Poly Blends

These garments are created using varying amounts of cotton/polyester usually around 50/50 to take advantage of the best qualities of each fiber. It is both breathable and tear-resistant and keeps the shirt from shrinking, a common problem with cotton shirts. There are affordable options in dry blend shirts comparable to ringspun cotton.

Pros

Best of Both Fabrics
Soft
Strength & Durability

Cons

Not as Breathable as 100% Cotton

Tri-blend

Tri-blends are created using a blend of ringspun cotton, polyester, and rayon. These shirts are super soft and a little stretchy which have made them increasingly popular. They generally have a heathered look because of the blend of fibers. Tri-blends tend to be more expensive than the 50/50 blends or 100% Cotton.

Pros

Super Soft
Strength & Durability
Moisture Wicking Properties

Cons

Not as Wrinkle Resistant as 100% Polyester
Higher Cost
Limited Color Options

Brand Breakdown

There are so many wholesale clothing brands out there it’s hard to decide what is right for you. Here’s what you need to know.

Sport Performance garments
High Quality
Reasonably Priced

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High Quality
Expensive
Large selection with a wide variety of styles, fabrics and colors
Styles that are on trend with today’s fashions
Unique style and color options
Tags are not tear away – not good for relabeling with custom printed neck tags

American Apparel custom printed products

High Quality (Retail Quality)
Fairly Expensive
Decent selection with a variety of styles, fabrics and colors
Styles that are on trend with today’s fashions
Garments fit well
Tags are not tear away – not good for relabeling with custom printed neck tags
The 2001W is their classic 100% ring-spun cotton t-shirt

Good Quality
Reasonably Priced
Not a huge selection (t-shirts, tank tops and hats)
Tear Away tags – good for relabeling with custom printed neck tags

High Quality
Reasonably Priced
Large selection with a wide variety of styles, fabrics and colors
Styles that are on trend with today’s fashions
Tear Away tags – good for relabeling with custom printed neck tags
Garments fit well
The 3001 is their classic 100% ring-spun cotton t-shirt

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High Quality, heavyweight, pigment dyed clothing.
Tons of color options
Fairly expensive but for a good reason
Tags are not tear away – not good for relabeling with custom printed neck tags
Average selection with a variety of styles and colors

Tie-Dye garments
Good Quality
Reasonably Priced

Headwear — primarily baseball caps, dad hats and snapbacks
Good Quality
Reasonably priced

The most well-known wholesale clothing brand
Standard Quality
Low Prices
Standard, average products, good for promotional purposes, etc.
Many products are available in tons of color options
Large selection with a wide variety of styles (short sleeve t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, polo shirts)
The 5000 is their standard 100% cotton t-shirt

Independent Trading Co custom printed products

Only Sweatshirts and Jackets
Good Quality
Reasonably Priced
Garments fit well
Tear Away tags – good for relabeling with custom printed neck tags
The SS4500 is their standard hooded sweatshirt

Wide variety of sweatshirt styles
Unique sweatshirt styles
Good Quality
Reasonably Priced

Very similar to Gildan
Standard Quality
Low Prices
Standard, average products good for promotional purposes, etc.
Many products are available in tons of color options, including many high-visibility options
Average selection with a variety of styles and colors (short sleeve t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, polo shirts)

Good for Women and Youth
Not a huge selection (mainly t-shirts)
Good Quality
Reasonably Priced
Matching adult, women, youth, toddler and infant clothing options (Rabbit Skins is it’s toddler and infant line)