The basic style of the T-Shirt has changed little over the years, but the cut, fabrics and styles have become numerous. Today, it is possible to obtain a T-Shirt in virtually any colour or size (Gildan's Ultra T comes in 60 colours for instance).

Over the years, T-Shirts have gone from being made in one simple cut, to being produced in a variety of styles to suit all buyers, from a standard fit to full cut, fitted, to skinny fit, says Hyams.

Fabrics now range from 100% cotton (ring spun, combed, open ended or carded) to Poly cotton, cotton/acrylic, and 100% polyester, with organic and technical fabrics also gaining popularity.

 Although there are  now so many styles  available, the Standard Cut T-Shirt, primarily of tubular construction, continues to drive sales. However, the influence of fashion has seen greater demand for fitted bodyshape T-Shirts, particularly with unusual finishes, such as distressed or heathered. 

Women haven't missed out either, says Hyams. Gone are they days when they would simply wear a smaller standard cut T-Shirt. Fitted women's bodyshape T-Shirts are now big business, especially within the workwear and uniform market, he says.

Of course, it isn't just workforces which value  T-Shirts - they appeal to a wide range of buyers, including promotional companies, organisers of pop concerts and tours, politicians, and partygoers.

"With the continuing emphasis now being placed by companies on Corporate Social Responsibility, manufacturers have realised the importance of compliance, as well as their own ethical responsibility to preserve the planet," says Hyams. "Hence we've seen the growth of organic Ts, and the arrival of Continental's carbon neutral EarthPositive range, which is made solely using wind and solar power."

BTC is the exclusive distributor of the Continental collection of garments, including the new EarthPositive range, which carries both the Fairtrade and Soil Association seal of approval.

Despite all these changes and developments, there is a downside to the growth of the T-Shirt within the last 20 years, says Hyams, which is the ever-decreasing prices.

Hyams puts this down to three factors: 1. the reduced cost of farming cotton along with its increased availablility; 2. the reduced cost of manufacture and the growth in the amount of countries now supplying T-shirts; and 3. the price ‘war' between major suppliers.

"The quality of T-shirts has never been better, and the price never so competitive, so it's probably fair to say that the humbe T-shirt has virtually become a throwaway commodity," says Hyams.

He questions whether just selling T-Shirts will ever make businesses enough profit, given the never ending downward spiralling costs. However, it is still the single biggest selling garment sold and decorated worldwide and will continue to be so, adds Hyams. "The T-Shirt is what started, and continues, to drive our company's sales."

Web: www.btcactivewear.co.uk

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