We're surrounded by overpriced clothes all the time, and the reason for this has to do with demand.



One good example was the $120 t-shirt "designed" by Kanye West for French clothing seller A.P.C. This plain white “Hiphop” tee sold out instantaneously after going on sale.

So is spending all that cash on a piece of cotton with 4 holes ever really a good investment? Only if you're gullible and suffer from a condition that causes money to pour out of your ears.

For the rest of us less fancier folks who still love wearing t-shirts, here are the top 8 ways to avoid buying an overpriced t-shirt:

Check the fabric quality
A lot of manufacturers often use silicone and softeners to disguise lesser-grade yarns. These will feel good at first, but can start to pill, shrink, and stiffen after as little as five washes.  Expect to pay a little more for finer fabrics such as Pima cotton, silk, rayon, and linen.

Flattering fit
Know your size and ALWAYS try before you buy. The seams on the shirt should hit you at the shoulders, waist, and neckline perfectly.

Loose Threads & Sloppy Seams
Make sure that the edges are professionally finished. You don't want these unraveling on you while you're out in public.

Do Your Research
This is especially important if you're into branded stuff. Anything made in Europe or the United States will be pricier, due to the higher cost of labor compared with Asia. Small boutique lines will also tend to charge more, since they pay a premium to manufacture fewer shirts as opposed to buying in bulk.