Friday, August 24, 2012 11:30 AM

Despite its seemingly simply nature, finding the perfect t-shirt really is like discovering the Holy Grail of fashion.

Think flawlessly cut sleeves. A perfect fit across the shoulders. Not too long, not too short; soft on the skin, easy on the eyes, so effortlessly sexy that it’s scary. It’s one of the most ubiquitous items of clothing around, but finding the perfect tee can be a real task. The ironic thing about wardrobe basics is that simply, well-fitting pieces can be tough to track down and easily worn out. T-shirt designers used to be far too skimpy with fabric but now, thankfully, many tees are made in longer lengths and aimed at grown-up body shapes. The contours of many women are best served by a traditional ‘T’ shape with a slightly longer cut and many designers have embraced the rise of the deluxe tee.

The European markets are swearing of late that 100% polyester T-shirts are the wat of the future. The superior weaving technology, a far cry from traditional less expensive polyester weaves, allows for a breathable  polyester product that does not shrink or crease – it has even been dubbed ‘the new silk’ for its look and feel. Closer to home, local design house Verge has come back to cotton for its softness and breathability. Verge’s Ian Webster says: “Our lady likes a breathable fabric that sits comfortably around the armholes – and we love a cotton that feels soft and drapes but is woven thick enoughso as to not be see-through.”

Moochi are also local pro’s when it comes to fashion tees, creating designs from rayon or viscose (the natural fibre made from wood pulp) with a hint of lycra. The lycra helps the garment hold its shape while the viscose or rayon component is fantastic for holding colour – in other words they wont fade like their cotton cousins.

Whatever you tee is made from, the important thing is to take care of it well. The expert tip is, when washing, don’t leave your tee soaking in water or detergent too long. It’s the fastest way to break down the fibres tht keep the garment looking its best. No more than 30 minutes is recommended for soaking, always separate colours and whites as you would when washing any clothing, and finally, avoid bleach and strong sunlight – colour will fade and whites will turn yellow. Turn you tee inside out and dry on the shade where possible; you’ll get more wear from your tee in the long run.