Monkeys Favorite T shirt Brands

I've been meaning to do this for a long time. Over the years, I've seen a few t shirts in my day and would like to share with you my favorite t shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, zip ups, organics and bamboo brands of apparel and why.

My favorite t shirt ever is Alternative Apparel's Backstage Tee. It's super soft, wears great, doesn't stretch out of shape, and the fabrics muted color tones. I also like the stitching around the back of the collar and down the shoulder seam.

Moving on to my favorite "standard" type t shirt to use is a Gildan 2000 and the new Gildan 64000 "soft style" tee. Gildan has tons of colors to choose from, pre-shrunk 100% cotton. Great shirt to use for an event, schools, or fundraiser. A step up from the 2000 is the new Gildan "soft style" t shirt. I've been waiting for this shirt to come out for about a year. Gildan hyped it so much and the shirt kepted getting pushed back in production. This new model is comparable to an american apparel t shirt in it's weight, softness and slimmer fit. They also have a ladies fitted shirt available in the 64000L.

Next up on the list are Sweatshirts, Hoodies and Zip ups. Sweatshirts are not so popular now a days, however, I do have a favorite because it's just the softest, fuzziest, most comfortable sweatshirt on the market. That's just my opinion. Who makes this uber special apparel item you may ask? Alternative Earth by Alternative Apparel style # AA9575 6.3 oz. Long-Sleeve Basic Fleece Crew.

The "Hoodie" I really like American Apparel's California Hoodie; style number 5495. It's a lighter weight 100% cotton hoodie and not bulky. Comes in many colors.

The "Zip Up." This style of fleece is my favorite. It's great to slip on a comfortable zip up to wear under a jacket, under a vest, and it won't mess up your hair like a pullover. My favorite brand is a very close tie. I like American Apparel for all the styles to pick from and I also like continental clothing for the same thing. Continental has some real fashion forward zipups that are really cool. I've shared a few of my fav's below.

Continental Clothing Women's Sweat Jacket with pockets and sleeve stripes.

Continental Clothing Women's Distressed Moto Jacket.

Now for the best "standard" fleece, I recommend all sweatshirts, hoodies, and zip ups from Gildan. They are the best value and high quality. Comes in many different colors and sizes from toddler to adults.


Next up is the ladies or women's tee. Their are a lot out there that are great. Gildan's 2000L, which is the same as the 2000 model unisex tee but just in a more flattering cut. Very economical and just a nice women's tee. For a fitted tee style, I really like Bella brand and Next Level Apparel tees. They are soft, various cuts and styles and come in a longer length than your regular "belly" type t shirts.

Gildan 2000L Women's cut T shirt



Bella 8101 Longer Length baby doll t shirt



Next Level Apparel 3300L



Last but not least, my recommendations for Organic apparel. I have my favorites by Anvil Organics, Continental Clothing, OnnO and Econscious. I'll start with Anvil. They have really stepped up and was one of the first and still is the most economical organic line. They have organic t shirts, recycled cotton t shirts. Coming Jan 09, they will offer sustainable and organic sweatshirts, hoodies, and zipups. Next fav is Continental Clothing's Bamboo T shirt. Bamboo shirts are the most soft, comfortable, and flattering t shirt around. They come in quite a few colors and are available in Men's and Women's cut tees. Price point is pretty good too considering the price point for bamboo shirts are still very high. I also like Onno brand Bamboo Shirts. I really like these because they come in men's and women's cut short sleeve and long sleeves; and youth sizes! Very nice! Last eco friendly line I like is Econscious. Their entire line is organic. You can get t shirts, long sleeves, hoodies zipups, hats, bags, beanies and aprons. Great Quality and affordable price points.

Anvil Organics


Continental Clothing Bamboo Shirts


Onno Bamboo Shirts



Econscious




Please feel free to contact Monkey in a Dryer for any additional information on any of these apparel items.








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History of the T shirt

History of the T-shirt

It’s hard to imagine life without the t-shirt. Yet, “t-shirt” didn’t become a word in the English dictionary until the 1920’s and the style didn’t enter mainstream fashion until the 1960’s.

During W.W.I, American troops wore wool uniforms during hot summer days in Europe and noticed European soldiers wearing lightweight cotton undershirts. This cool apparel caught on fast with the Americans and by W.W.II, both the Army and the Navy included them in their uniforms.

Up until the 1950’s, t-shirts were still considered underwear, until John Wayne, Marlon Brando, and James Dean shocked Americans by wearing their “underwear” on T.V. In 1955, James Dean helped make the T-shirt a standard item of clothing in Rebel Without a Cause.

Advances in Screenprinting gave people the opportunity to print on T-shirts in the 1960’s. Tye dying also become popular in addition to other forms of the t-shirt, such as tank tops and muscle shirts. In the late sixties and seventies, people began to realize that printing on t-shirts could be a lucrative business. Rock and Roll bands and professional athletic teams started to make huge profits selling custom screen printed t-shirts.

Since then, t-shirts have only become more popular in the United States and are a staple in the American wardrobe. TV personalities have increased the popularity of custom t-shirts and “message shirts” by wearing them on highly rated shows and celebrities have used them as a way to communicate with the public. Because they are both convenient and fun, it is doubtful that the t-shirt will disappear from American culture anytime soon.



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Earth Positive Expanding Product Line with Organic Cotton Tote Bags

New products offered by Continental Clothing Company. Organic, Free Trade, and less carbon footprints. These two fantastic new additions to the EarthPositive collection will be a great seasonal choice for all sectors of the apparel industry. EarthPositive Organic Tote's will be available to order early December, 2008. Just in time for the holiday season.
Choose from these two new designs and variety of colors:

EP75 Organic Fashion Tote Bag
Colors: Black, Bright Blue, Denim Blue, Leaf Green, Moss Green, Red, Yellow
Size: W36cm x H40cm x D8cm

The EarthPositive Organic Fashion Tote (code EP75) is a premium weight, twill weave cotton bag, with quality stitching detail, in alternate tote dimensions (36cm x 40cm x 8cm) produced in a range of seven vibrant colors. This product is designed to meet the demand for a bag as a fashion accessory with a conscience in a marketplace where the vast majority of similar products are produced in cheap quality raw fabrics of unknown origin.

EP70 Organic Shopper Tote Bag
Colors: Natural (undyed)
Size: W38cm x H42cm



The EarthPositive Organic Shopper Tote (code EP70) is a plain weave, fine gauge canvas bag in undyed natural cotton, in the standard shopper tote dimensions (38x42cm) with long shoulder straps. The smooth fabric provides an ideal surface for screen-printing. This is the ultimate sustainable shopper bag.


EarthPositive is a wholly ethical apparel brand that is certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (by Soil Association) and by the Fair Wear Foundation for ethical labor practices throughout its supply chain. It is also, crucially, low carbon, having reduced the CO2 and other green-house gases emissions by some 90% through the use of green renewable energy in its production, a claim verified by the Carbon Trust within its pilot carbon-labeling initiative. The brand launched in the UK, Europe and USA in January 2008 with a range of blank imprintable T-shirts, sweatshirts and polo shirts. Further product expansion is expected to follow in 2009.

Please contact Monkey in a Dryer with any product questions and one of our product specialists will be happy to help you.