The right shirt can make a world of difference in your self-confidence. Whether you're heading to work or simply running errands around town, you'll feel more confident while wearing a stylish shirt. Rather than choosing an ordinary cotton shirt, though, you may want to choose a stretch twill shirt. Stretch twill shirts are on the rise -- and for good reason. To learn more about stretch twill shirts and why you should wear them, keep reading.
What Are Stretch Twill Shirts?
Stretch twill shirts are upper-body garments made of stretch twill. They are available in short-sleeve and long-style styles. During the spring and summer, you may want to choose a short-sleeve stretch twill shirt. During the fall and winter, on the other hand, a long-sleeve stretch twill shirt may prove more comfortable. Regardless, all stretch twill shirts are made of stretch twill.
In addition to being made of stretch twill, most stretch twill shirts have a button-up front. They aren't basic t-shirts. Rather, stretch twill shirts are button-up shirts. Button-up shirts, of course, are more formal than basic t-shirts. They offer a dressier appearance than basic t-shirts. And because stretch twill shirts have a button-up front, they are dressy as well.
The Scoop on Stretch Twill: What You Should Know
What is stretch twill exactly? It's an elastic form of twill. By itself, twill has little or no elasticity. It's still soft, but you can't pull or otherwise stretch it. Stretch twill is still comprised mostly of twill, but it's mixed with an elastic fabric to increase its elasticity. Stretch twill is essentially a semi-elastic, stretchy type of twill.
Plain twill is typically made of cotton. The term "twill" refers to any fabric in which the thread is closely woven together while passing the weft thread over at least one warp thread. It has similar diagonal ribbing as denim. Denim is made with a similar weaving pattern, resulting in a similar diagonal ribbing as twill.
Stretch twill is typically made of cotton as well. With that said, it contains an elastic fabric. The use of an elastic fabric is what distinguishes stretch twill from plain twill. Plain twill is made entirely of cotton -- using the weaving pattern previously described -- while stretch twill is made of cotton and an elastic fabric. Although there are exceptions, most stretch twill is made of lycra. Lycra is an elastic fabric. And like other elastic fabrics, you can pull and stretch it. A typical stretch twill shirt is comprised of about 97% cotton-based twill and 3% lycra.
Benefits of Stretch Twill Shirts
Strech twill shirts offer several benefits. Many people prefer them over cotton shirts because of their softness. Stretch twill shirts are incredibly soft. They are softer, in fact, than cotton shirts. With their soft texture, you can wear a stretch twill shirt all day long without fear of it causing discomfort. Stretch twill shirts are gentle on the skin. And when combined with their soft texture, they are exceptionally comfortable to wear.
Stretch twill shirts are semi-elastic. Why does this matter exactly? Elasticity refers to a fabric's stretchiness. Stretch twill shirts are made of an elastic fabric, which allows them to stretch. Their semi-elastic properties allow them to contour to the shape of your body. The end result is a form-fitting appearance that's not found in other types of shirts.
Another benefit of stretch twill shirts is durability. Don't let their semi-elastic properties fool you into thinking of stretch twill shirts are weak. They are durable and can last for countless years. Stretch twill shirts feature diagonal ribbing. This diagonal ribbing makes them stronger and more durable than other shirts. As long as you care for your stretch twill shirt, you'll be able to wear for it countless years to come.
You might be surprised to learn that stretch twill shirts are wrinkle resistant. You should still hang up your stretch twill shirt when you aren't wearing it. Nonetheless, stretch twill shirts are naturally wrinkle resistant. They are less likely to wrinkle than shirts made of traditional fabrics. Stretch twill shirts feature an elastic fabric in their construction. Elastic fabrics have better "memory" than traditional fabrics. When pulled or otherwise stretched, they'll bounce back to their original shape. The end result is protection from wrinkles.
Features to Look for in a Stretch Twill Shirt
You should look for a semi-elastic construction when shopping for a twill shirt. After all, stretch twill shirts are defined by their use of an elastic fabric. Shirts that are made entirely of twill aren't classified as stretch twill shirts. Rather, they are ordinary twill shirts.
Most stretch twill shirts feature lycra. Lycra is an elastic fabric that, when mixed with twill, creates stretch twill. You can also find stretch twill shirts made of polyester. Like lycra, polyester is an elastic fabric. Stretch twill is made by mixing cotton with either lycra or polyester. If you're going to buy a stretch twill shirt, you should check its construction to ensure it's made of an elastic fabric like lycra or polyester.
How to Care for a Stretch Twill Shirt
To make your stretch twill shirt last, you'll need to care for it. Fortunately, stretch twill shirts are easy to maintain. For most stretch twill shirts, dry cleaning isn't necessary. You can clean them in the washing machine using liquid detergent.
After buying a stretch twill shirt, inspect the care tag for instructions on how to clean it. Most stretch twill shirts have a care tag. You can typically find it inside the collar. The care tag will contain instructions from the manufacturer on how to clean it. Assuming it's made of cotton-based twill and lycra, you should be able to clean it in the washing machine. Just remember to use the cold water setting. And when you are ready to dry your stretch twill shirt, use the tumble-dry setting with low or no heat.
