What Makes a Shirt
Published by: Siobhan Ingram
Date: 05-23-2025
We’ve all had that shirt—the one you grab without thinking.
It’s not just clean; it’s the one you hope is clean.
The "wear-every-week" shirt is more than just a piece of clothing. It’s a comfort item, a favorite, a part of your routine.
When we help brands design custom shirts at FCE, that's always the goal: not just to be worn once, but to become part of someone's everyday life.
So, what’s the secret?
First, fabric matters more than you think. Soft, ringspun cotton or buttery tri-blends make all the difference. If a shirt doesn’t feel good from the second someone pulls it on, it’s never making it into regular rotation.
Second, fit is king. A good shirt drapes just right. It feels relaxed without feeling baggy, fitted without feeling tight. A slightly curved hem, a little stretch, a not-too-high neckline—small things make a huge impact.
And finally, the design needs to blend with real life. If it’s too loud, too busy, or too specific to one event, it stays stuck in the “only for gym days” pile. Clean graphics, soft color palettes, and logos that feel like part of the style—not slapped on—are key.
One local brewery we worked with created a vintage-wash tee with a subtle chest print and a tiny bottle cap logo on the sleeve.
Simple. Wearable. Instantly loved.
They sold out in a weekend.
Because when merch feels like something you’d buy at your favorite store, it becomes more than marketing.
It becomes part of someone’s story.