|
|
| Pilot Shirt Fabric Information |
|
|
|
Fabric Blends and Characteristics |
 |
Most shirt fabric is woven from two distinct components; Cotton
(a natural fiber) and Polyester (a synthetic fiber), each
having unique characteristics. Cotton is soft, sturdy, and
absorbs moisture, but cotton wrinkles, shrinks, retains
moisture, and takes longer to dry. Polyester is strong,
abrasion resistant, resists shrinking and stretching, resists
wrinkles, and does not absorb or hold moisture, but woven poly does
not "breath" as well all by itself. Fabric blend is the mixture of
cotton and polyester (as a percentage such as 60/40, 55/45 or
35/65), and results in a corresponding blend of characteristics. Together, cotton/poly blends offer a good
compromise of comfort and performance characteristics.
Note that fabric blend itself does NOT determine the thickness or appearance of a
material. |
|
|
|
Fabric Thickness and Comparison |
|
Thicker
|
| Oxford |
|
| Pinpoint |
|
| Poplin |
|
|
Broadcloth |
|
|
Thinner
|
|
|
Fabric thickness and appearance is NOT determined by the blend of a material.
Rather, it is determined by the size of the yarns, the weave, and the yarns per inch. Our
Oxford
is made with thick yarns in a 2 x 1 basket weave, and is the thickest fabric we
offer in a pilot shirt. It is about
20% thicker than our pinpoint and poplin fabrics, and has a more visible texture. Pinpoint is a medium
"weight" fabric, also of a 2 x 1 weave. It is made with finer yarns, more tightly woven,
resulting in a
smoother texture. Poplin is similar in thickness and appearance to pinpoint but uses a 1 x 1
weave. Broadcloth is the thinnest, lightest fabric available, a tight 1 x 1 weave of the finest
yarns. |
|
|
|
Fabrics used in the shirts we offer (white only) (Click on any
picture below to view a close-up image) |
 |
Oxford (60% cotton)
4.4 oz/yd.
Our thickest and most popular fabric... about 20% thicker than pinpoint or
poplin. Used in high end oxford dress
shirts. Thicker yarns in a more visible "basket" weave.
Very opaque. Breathes well, wrinkle resistant. 2-3% shrinkage (up to 1/2"
collar shrinkage.
Available in our
Pilot House Tapered and
Pilot House Relaxed-cut. |
 |
Pinpoint (55% or 60% cotton) 3.7 oz/yd.
Medium weight, more finely woven fabric. Used in contemporary dress shirts.
Thinner and lighter, with a denser weave than our beefy oxford. Softer than
poplin. Breathes well, wrinkle resistant. 2-3% shrinkage (up to 1/2" collar
shrinkage).
Available in
Commander ,
Wings and
Pilot House Tapered.
|
 |
Poplin (35% cotton)
Medium weight, medium density, durable, easy-care fabric. Commonly used in uniform shirts.
More wrinkle resistant than high-cotton fabrics. 1-2%
shrinkage (up to 1/3" collar shrinkage).
Available in
Aviator ,
Pilot, and
Jetstream. |
 |
Broadcloth (55% or 60% cotton) 3.1 oz/yd.
Lightweight, durable, high thread-count fabric. The original and
lightest weight dress and uniform shirt fabric... about 15%
lighter than pinpoint or poplin.
2% shrinkage (up to 1/3" collar shrinkage).
Available in Eagle. |
|
|
|
Notes about
Fabric "Change" |
|
Fabric mills occasionally change the yarn size,
thread count or finish of the fabrics they weave, or update the equipment used to
produce the fabric. Furthermore, in recent years several U.S. fabric mills
have gone out of business, and the remaining ones have reduced their offerings,
requiring us to re-source our fabrics numerous times.
Therefore, the fabric used in any of the shirts we sell may have changed a bit over
the years.
However, fabric
also undergoes considerable change in actual use, so it is not uncommon to notice a significant difference between new shirts
and 2 or 3 year old shirts. The
old shirt fabric has endured countless washing/drying/wearing cycles that have
stripped it of it's original (when new) characteristics. First, the factory
finish applied at the mill has washed out. Then, the fabric has actually lost
density. If you've ever cleaned the lint trap on a clothes dryer, you've seen
the remnants of fibers lost from the fabric during the drying cycle. The
washing cycle also depletes fibers, but they go unseen as they get flushed down the
drain with the rinse water. Add to that the pulling and stretching and
microscopic abrasion that occurs while the shirt is being worn. The result
after a few years: a fabric that has so changed in appearance and feel that it
barely resembles it's former self. But the change has occurred slowly enough
as to go unnoticed until it is held up next to a brand new shirt. So, just
like that faded old T-shirt, comfy broken in pair of jeans, socks with thin soles,
and sweatshirt that has lost much of it's fleecy interior, your old shirts no longer
resemble new ones.
Rather than make impractical comparisons, we ask that you
simply evaluate your new shirts for appearance, fit and function. Look them over and try
them on, even if you have purchased the "same" shirt before. If for any reason the
shirts are not acceptable to you, we offer a
30 Day
Return Policy on unused, unlaundered shirts. |
|
|
