T-shirts have been around for decades now, which means that there are thousands of vintage t-shirts out there just waiting for you to purchase them. One of the great things about t-shirts is that almost any organization or group can get a t-shirt screen printed with an image, which means that there is almost an unlimited number of unique vintage t-shirts for you to find.
While looking for vintage t-shirts, it is helpful to understand the terms you will encounter while searching for the perfect vintage t-shirt. The three most common types of wear you will discover among vintage t-shirts are deadstock, paper thin and thrashed shirts. Each type of wear impacts the look and feel of the shirt.
Deadstock
A deadstock t-shirt is one that looks like it has never been worn. The shirt basically looks or is brand new. This can happen for a variety of reasons. A large order may never have been picked up from a screen printer or maybe an organization overestimated how many t-shirts their group needed or could sell for a special event.
Deadstock shirts stand out because the tag is very crisp. Most older tags get soft after being washed. The seams are usually very smooth, and not wrinkled at all. Additionally, when you find deadstock t-shirts, you may find multiple t-shirts being sold together, a clear sign of an overstocked vintage shirt.
Paper Thin
A paper thin vintage t-shirt is the opposite of a deadstock t-shirt. A paper thin t-shirt is one that is really soft, usually because it is well-worn. It is called paper thin, because when you hold it up to the light, you can see light coming through the shirt.
Thrashed
Right past a paper thin shirt is a thrashed shirt. A thrashed shirt is one that has holes, tears, and even possibly stains on it. The type of damage most people find acceptable on thrashed shirts are ones that come naturally, such as a frayed hem or holes around the seams of the shirt. Natural wear and tear makes something thrashed. There is a thin line between a shirt that is thrashed and a shirt that has been trashed.
Some people specifically look for and enjoy paper thin shirts that are really worn in or a thrashed shirt that shows its age. Others prefer deadstock or newer style shirts; it is really about preference. As you shop around, you will discover your own wear preference for vintage shirts.
