Choosing the right dress shirt requires an understanding of what it's made of. Whether short sleeve or long sleeve, dress shirts are available in different fabrics. Some of them are made of cotton, whereas others are made of linen or poplin. Each fabric offers its own advantages.
In addition to considering the type of fabric from which a dress shirt is made, however, you should consider the thread count. Some dress shirts have a higher thread count than others. There are 40s dress shirts, for instance, and 50s dress shirts, the latter of which has a higher thread count. What's the difference between 40s and 50s dress shirts exactly?
What Is 40s Fabric?
The term "40s fabric" refers to the thread count. It represents the number of yarns -- typically per meter -- used in the garment's construction. Dress shirts and other garments made of 40s fabric, feature 40 yarns per meter of fabric.
All dress shirts are made of one or more fabrics. To achieve a super-soft texture, organic fabrics are often used. Organic fabrics are natural, plant-based fabrics. Regardless of the type of fabric from which a dress shirt is made, though, you should consider the thread count. 40s fabric is a measurement of thread count. It provides insight into how many yarns were used to make the dress shirt.
What Is 50s Fabric?
Like with 40s fabric, the term "50s fabric" refers to the thread count. You can use it to determine how many yards were used in the construction of a garment. Some dress shirts feature 40 yarns per meter of fabric. 50s fabric dress shirts, on the other hand, feature 50 yarns per meter of fabric.
You can identify the thread count of a dress shirt by looking for a "40s fabric" or "50s fabric" label. 50s fabric dress shirts have a higher thread count than 40s fabric dress shirts. They are made with more pieces of yarn.
Common Features of 40s Fabric Dress Shirts
40s fabric dress shirts are soft. Regardless of the color or style, dress shirts are available in different thread counts. Some of the cheaper, lower-quality dress shirts available for sale have a lower thread count, such as 20s or 30s fabric. As the thread count increases, so does the softness. Therefore, 40s fabric dress shirts are typically softer than 20s and 30s fabric dress shirts.
You may discover that 40s fabric dress shirts are warmer than their 50s counterparts. They are made of fewer pieces of yarn. The yarns used in their construction, however, is thicker than that of 50s fabric dress shirts. The end result is warmer dress shirts that are ideal for the fall and winter seasons.
If you're looking to save money, you may want to go with a 40s fabric dress shirt. Prices for men's dress shirts vary depending on many different factors. Nonetheless, 40s fabric dress shirts typically cost less than 50s fabric dress shirts. They are easier for manufacturers to produce, and manufacturers pass these cost-savings benefits down to customers in the form of a lower price.
Common Features of 50s Fabric Dress Shirts
For a super-soft texture, there's no substitution for 50s fabric dress shirts. They offer an exceptionally soft and supple texture. This is due to the fact that 50s fabric dress shirts are made of more, thinner pieces of yarn. With their ultra-thin yarn, they feel soft and supple -- even more so than 40s fabric dress shirts.
The softness of a dress shirt is influenced by its thread count. As previously mentioned, the higher the thread count, the softer a dress shirt will feel. 50s fabric is a high thread count. 50s fabric dress shirts have a higher thread count than 40s fabric dress shirts, so they feel softer and suppler.
With their superior softness, you may discover than 50s fabric dress shirts are gentler on the skin. Some people develop itchy or irritated skin when wearing dress shirts for an extended period. Problems such as these are less likely to occur with 50s fabric dress shirts thanks to their superior softness.
What About Other Thread Counts?
While 40s and 50s are the most common thread counts in which dress shirts are made, you can find dress shirts in other thread counts. Some of them are made of 20s fabric, for example, and other dress shirts are made of 30s fabric.
The terms 20, 30, 40 and 50s fabric all refer to the thread count. 20s fabric dress shirts are made with the least number of yarns, whereas 50s fabric dress shirts are made with the highest number of yarns. And the higher the thread count, the softer the dress shirt will feel.
You should typically avoid 20s and 30s fabric dress shirts. What's wrong with these thread counts exactly? 20s and 30s fabrics lack the softness of 40s and 50s fabrics. They often have a rigid or scratchy texture that makes them uncomfortable to wear. 40s and 50s fabrics, conversely, have a softer, smoother and all-around more comfortable texture.
Don't Forget the GSM
Something else to consider when shopping for a dress shirt is the weight of fabric. Most dress shirts have a grams per square meter (GSM) rating. You can refer to the GSM rating to determine the weight of a dress shirt's fabric.
GSM represents the weight of one meter of fabric. The Italian Cotton White Dress Shirt sold here at StudioSuits has a GSM rating of 96. Therefore, each meter of the cotton fabric from which it's made weighs 96 grams. Other dress shirts made have a higher GSM rating. And the higher the GSM rating, the heavier the fabric will be.
Generally speaking, any GSM rating under 150 will result in a lightweight construction. Some dress shirts may have a GSM rating of 200 or even 300. A GSM rating of 200 will be moderately heavy, whereas a GSM rating of 300 will be particularly heavy. If you're looking for a lightweight dress shirt, you should stick with a GSM rating under 150.
