Cotton and Its Variants
Cotton is the most common fabric in casual wear. Standard cotton is breathable and soft but wrinkles easily and shrinks in hot washes. Ring-spun cotton is smoother and stronger because the fibers are twisted before weaving. Combed cotton has shorter fibers removed, giving it a finer, softer hand feel.
In the OSSBuy Spreadsheet, cotton percentages are listed when provided by the seller. A hundred percent cotton tee will feel natural and absorb sweat, but a cotton-polyester blend will resist wrinkles and hold its shape better after repeated washing.
Fabric Reference
Synthetic Fabrics: Polyester and Nylon
Polyester is durable, lightweight, and quick-drying. It is ideal for activewear and travel clothing because it resists wrinkles and packs small. The downside is that it traps heat and can develop odor faster than natural fibers. Nylon is even stronger and is the standard for bags, belts, and technical outerwear.
Nylon ripstop is woven with reinforcement threads that prevent tears from spreading. This is why parachutes and premium backpacks use it. If you see ripstop in a product description, expect above-average durability.
Fabric Reference
Wool, Linen, and Specialty Blends
Wool is the gold standard for cold weather. Merino wool in particular regulates temperature, resists odor, and wicks moisture. It is the best base layer material but costs more than synthetics. Linen is the summer equivalent. It is extremely breathable and gets softer with every wash, but it wrinkles the moment you sit down.
Blends combine the strengths of multiple fibers. A cotton-polyester tee gives you the comfort of cotton with the durability of polyester. A wool-nylon sweater adds structure and abrasion resistance to wool's natural warmth. The spreadsheet notes blend ratios when sellers disclose them.