The T.E.E guide
Will your cotton T-shirt shrink?
Some dimensional change can occur in cotton garments. T.E.E care guidance notes that a little shrinkage is natural, while Lightweight tee is described as pre-washed and pre-shrunk. Neither statement gives an exact shrinkage percentage or a promise that every garment will remain identical after washing.
Does pre-shrunk mean it cannot shrink again?
No. Pre-shrunk describes a finishing step before you receive the garment. It should not be treated as a guarantee against every later change caused by washing, drying or wear. T.E.E lists this finish for Lightweight tee; do not assume every finishing detail applies equally to all three styles.
The useful action is to follow the specific care label and compare your tee under consistent conditions. Choosing a size based on an assumed future change is less reliable than starting with the current chart.
How much will a T.E.E tee shrink?
T.E.E does not publish a controlled percentage for each style and care routine. We therefore cannot responsibly promise a precise number of centimetres, a percentage or a one-size reduction. Cotton composition alone is not enough to calculate the result for an individual garment.
The published care advice recommends cold washing and low-heat or flat drying. Read the washing guide and follow your tee's label before experimenting with a different routine.
How can you check whether your tee has changed?
- Before washing, lay the dry tee flat without stretching it.
- Record chest width, body length and any other dimension important to you.
- Note the points where you place the tape so you can repeat the measurement.
- Wash and dry according to the garment label.
- Once fully dry, measure it in the same position and compare the results.
Small differences in tape position or how firmly fabric is pulled can change a reading. Repeat a measurement before treating it as a real change in the garment. Keep the same units and compare like with like.
Should you buy a larger size to allow for shrinkage?
Do not automatically size up to compensate for a change that has not been measured. Size changes affect chest, shoulder, sleeves and length together. A tee that starts too large may still have the wrong proportions after washing.
Choose from the current size chart and the silhouette you want. If your preferred measurement is close to a decision point, ask us about the exact style. Include measurements from a tee you already wear and tell us how you normally wash and dry it.
