Men's T-Shirts

Men's tees and polos at FlipBuy UK — 6 styles covering cotton graphic tees, quick-dry sports jerseys, V-neck polos and a long-sleeve embroidered polo. From £9.99 to £21.99.

How to tell whether a t-shirt will last

T-shirts fail in three predictable places, and all three are checkable before you buy.

The neckline goes first. A ribbed collar with a visible band springs back; a thin single-layer neck stretches out and never recovers. This is the best single predictor of how long a tee will last.
Print type. Screen prints outlast transfers. If a print sits on the surface like a separate plastic layer, it will crack; if it feels part of the fabric, it will not.
Side seams. Cheaper jersey is knitted as a tube, and the seams spiral round the body after a few washes. A tee with proper side seams stays straight.
Weight. Around 180gsm and above holds its shape and is not see-through. Very light jersey is cheaper and shows every line.

Cotton or technical fabric

Cotton is comfortable, breathable and the right choice for everyday wear. It absorbs sweat and stays damp, which is why it is a poor choice for exercise.

Quick-dry polyester jerseys move moisture away from the skin and dry fast — the correct fabric for running, football and the gym. They are less comfortable in casual wear and hold odour more readily, which is a washing question rather than a fabric fault.

Polos sit between the two. A cotton piqué polo is smart-casual and works where a t-shirt would not; a technical polo suits golf and warm weather.

How to get the fit right

Fit the shoulders first. The seam should sit at the edge of your shoulder, not down the arm. Everything else can be lived with; shoulders cannot.
Measure a tee you own and like flat across the chest, and compare with the product page. T-shirt sizing varies more between brands than almost any other garment.
Sleeve length should end mid-bicep for a standard fit.
Length should cover the waistband when you raise your arms. Anything shorter rides up.
Cotton shrinks slightly on a first hot wash. If it fits exactly when new, wash it cool.

How to wear a polo well

Collar should sit flat without wings lifting. A collar that curls is either worn out or too thin a fabric.
Sleeves should end mid-bicep and sit reasonably close — loose sleeves are what make a polo look oversized.
Tuck it or do not, but be consistent. A polo with a straight hem can be worn out; one with a longer back tail is designed to be tucked.
One or two buttons open, not three.

How to keep prints and colours

Wash inside out, every time. Drum friction against the print is what cracks it — this single habit roughly doubles the life of a printed tee
Cool wash at 30°C. Modern detergents work perfectly well cold, and heat sets stains and degrades prints
Never iron directly over a print — inside out, or with a cloth on top
Line dry. Tumble drying cracks prints and shrinks cotton
Wash technical jerseys separately from towels, and never with fabric conditioner — it coats the fibres, traps bacteria and is the usual cause of sports kit that smells even after washing

Common questions

What size should I order?

Measure a t-shirt you already own flat across the chest and compare with the product page measurements, rather than relying on the size letter.

Which fabric for the gym?

Quick-dry polyester. Cotton holds sweat and stays cold and heavy.

Why does my sports top still smell after washing?

Almost always fabric conditioner, which coats technical fibres and traps the bacteria causing the odour. Stop using it, and soak affected items in white vinegar and cold water.