The Difference Between a T-Shirt & Jersey Shirt

A girl's shirt style is crucial to cultivating her overall look.

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The knitted athletic wear a glam girl might go for on an exercise schedule or out to a sporting event isn't so different from her everyday summer and long-sleeved tees, although they aren't identical either. You may find that, despite sharing some similar aspects of design, the defining features of T-shirts and jersey shirts can impact a stylista's fashion choices. Whether you're into sophisticated scoop-necks, the classic workwear crew, or a super-durable sporty look, there's a casual shirt mode that's best suited to your style and lifestyle.

Shirt Style

T-shirts and jerseys share some simple similarities any style-minded woman is sure to see. Both shirts are typically pullovers with no fastenings, and both follow the basic "T" shape the former shirt style is named for. Although the classic T-shirt usually features a crew neck and short sleeves, a girl can also find shirts with stylish, sassy open, off-the-shoulder and "V" necklines as well as different sleeve lengths. Jerseys, too, feature neck and sleeve styles best suited to the sports for which they're intended.

Fashion Fabric

Although T-shirt and jersey shirt fabrics both sport a basic jersey or stockinet stitch, which creates identical fiber loops across the fabric, there are a few appearance alterations a girl might notice. T-shirts tend to be crafted from soft, lightweight cotton or cotton-polyester blend fibers for better stretch and breathability. Jersey fabric, while also created with comfortable cotton-poly, is a heavier knitted mesh. Depending on the sport you're into, your jersey may even be made from a water-resistant microfiber fabric.

Past to Present

T-shirts and jerseys alike are staple garments in both sports and fashion these days; however, this was not always the case. Originally, the basic tee was an undershirt, and the comfortable jersey stitch was used mainly in making underwear. A sporty gal traveling back in time might not recognize the original sports jerseys, which were tightly-knitted wool onesies made more for durability than style. Over the years, the T-shirt wormed its way into a working wardrobe, and the wool jerseys were traded in for more comfortable cotton-poly blends.

On the Outside

A smart style maven can make both T-shirts and sports jerseys work in an outfit, but she may find more to mess with when it comes to trendy tees. With jerseys, a girl is typically locked into a team's color palette and logo style, and may have to contend with sponsor logos as well. T-shirts, too, can sometimes advertise a particular store or brand, but on the other hand, feature far more options in style, cut and color.

Related Videos

 

References

 

"Fashion Source Book"; Kathryn McKelvey; 2006 "Textiles Technology"; Barbara Lawler and Helen Wilson; 2002

Resources

 

"The Sewing Stitch and Textile Bible"; Lorna Knight; 2007

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