Ribbed T-Shirt, Its Benefits And Styling Tips

Ribbed T-shirts were first worn as sportswear in the 19th century, and they became popular in the 1960s as other iconic stars started wearing them. The famous names who made the ribbed t-shirts popular are Marlon Brando, James Dean, and more. Their influence made chic-style clothing fashionable. The ribbed knit shirt’s ribbed texture, fit, and stretchy style make one look good while wearing it. It also provides comfort, absorbs sweat, and is breathable. This made ribbed knit t-shirts even more popular among activewear enthusiasts. This blog article is a deep dive into ribbed t-shirts, including what they are, their types, styles, and more. 

What is a Ribbed Shirt?

Ribbed shirts are made of rib knit material, which is made from polyester cotton, a blend of cotton with elastane and other materials. These ribbed knits can be stretchable because they have vertical linings in a row with gaps. Compared to sweaters, they are bulky and heavy, but not stretchy. Ribbed t-shirts come in a t-shirt style to be more versatile enough so you can layer them and style them up, unlike sweaters.  That’s why athletes wore them under their uniforms for warmth rather than sweaters in the beginning. Because ribbed knit shirts are tight and fit, they flatter the body of the wearer. You’ll feel the freedom when you move around, whether doing exercises, running, or just wearing them in cold weather for casual wear. 

How Are Ribbed Shirts Made?

Unlike other fabrics, rib knits are made of a specific pattern, just like hand-knitted sweaters. But nowadays, they are machine-knitted. Craftsmen or machines stitch the yarn in a pattern that creates a vertical lining. They usually come in a 1x1 size, but the more rows and gaps they have, the more stretchable they are. Craftsmen first select yarns made from different materials like cotton, wool, or a mixture of them. If they use cotton yarn, then the ribbed knit shirt has all the capabilities of cotton while also having the capabilities of ribbed knit fabric. Similarly, if they use the wool yarn while knitting it, your ribbed knit shirt will be wool-made. Some ribbed shirts are stitched with more gaps, like 2x2. This 2x2 gap gives an extra look of ribbed knit texture and increases the beauty of the appearance. It also gives better insulation as it makes the ribbed knit shirt thicker, and thicker means more durable. 

Popular Materials for Ribbed Shirts

• Cotton Ribbed Knit Shirts: Cotton is a popular natural choice for garments and ribbed clothing. Due to its natural fibers, cotton's level of softness makes it the preferred choice for fabrics. 

• Cotton with Elastane: Elastane is the most stretchable synthetic fabric that is expanded to 5 times its original shape and then returned to it. This makes it the most stretchable fiber material, which also makes it breathable. 

• Ribbed Wool Shirts: Ribbed wool fabric has all the abilities of wool. Unlike cotton wool itself, it has its great ability of elasticity without the blend of elastane. Wool is also warm in cold weather because of its insulation abilities, and it's even warmer when it’s a ribbed knit fabric. 

• Cashmere Ribbed Tee: If you like the feel of softness, then cashmere is famous as the softest fabric out there. Cashmere is also a wool, but it is very rare and, therefore, expensive. It is taken from the undercoat hair of a goat and is commonly found in South Asian regions. Cashmere is lightweight and won’t feel bulky on your skin.

• Ribbed Modal Shirts: Modal can also be soft, breathable, and durable, like cotton and wool. When it’s merged with the ribbed knit fabric, it gets the flexibility just like cotton.

• Rayon Rib Knit: This one is silky and smooth when you touch it as a fabric, but mixed with the ribbed knit crafting, it’s smoother compared to other ribbed knit fabrics. Polyester Ribbed Fabric: Polyester is one of the most durable fabrics to wear and tear, and will survive wear and tear more than cotton and wool. It can also be elastic without the combination of elastane. 

Benefits of Ribbed T-Shirts

Firstly, they have the great benefits of being super versatile and stylish, which makes them trendy today as well among men and women in winter. It’s mainly because, compared with sweaters, they are more flexible to wear and can be layered. Their texture is another stylish factor compared to plain shirts. 

• Comfy breathability: Ribbed shirts have small holes in the fabric as they’re knitted in straight lines. These holes let the air pass through, making it cooler rather than trapping you in heat and discomfort. That’s why it’s also suitable for warmer weather. 

• Stretchability: Ribbed knit shirts not only fit but also let you move easily, especially for sports activities. 

• Durability: If you care for these ribbed t-shirts properly, they will last about 5 years with you, especially if you have a high-quality one. 

• Good for fitness routines: Ribbed t-shirts are tight but stretchable and comfortable. It can surprisingly give you a lot of benefits for your fitness routine and gym sessions. It also reduces the stress on muscles and the soreness as the ribbed knit shirt is tight and helps make blood flow efficient, which helps in fast recovery. Overall, they are one of the favorite choices for gym-goers and fitness freaks. 

• Less likely to get wrinkles: Ribbed knit shirts won’t get many wrinkles like other normal fabrics, and you won’t have to wash them too many times, and not washing a fabric repeatedly means it’ll even be more durable and have a longer lifespan.  

Ribbed T-Shirts vs Regular T-Shirts

So, what sets ribbed shirts apart from regular tees?

Popular Types of Ribbed Shirts

There isn’t just one type when it comes to ribbed t-shirts; there are many for you to dress up in different styles and colors.

1. Crew Neck Ribbed T-Shirt

The crew-neck ribbed shirt has the same rib-knit cotton material, is stretchable, and has the same overall characteristics, but it does not have a collar or a tight neck. These crew-neck shirts were used as undergarments in the 1930s, and they had a round neckline to protect against abrasion. The shoulder pads the footballers wore had a chance of chafing, and a round neck was used to protect them. The collar is the difference between a regular ribbed T-shirt and a crew-neck T-shirt. Crew neck ribbed shirts are a choice if you want to wear something stylish and casual daily without going out of style. It’s a popular choice for winter and summer as well. 

2. V-Neck Ribbed T-Shirt

This one has a V-neck style on the collar, and it's particularly famous among women. They come in no-sleeve, half-sleeve, and full-sleeve options and work as cozy tanks for fitness wear. If you love a more casual and activewear style, a V-neck is best with no sleeves or half sleeves. It’s fit and will be able to absorb your sweat and keep your body cool with its small air holes ability of ribbed knit fabric. 

3. Henley Rib Tank

This one merges the V-neck style of a ribbed tank shirt with 3 buttons on the chest. Henley shirts have been popular due to their casual styles. These shirts were worn in rowing sports back in the 20th century, but they are still worn by men and women (especially women) and are trendy due to their flattering fit and chic look. 

4. Mock Neck Rib Top

These are among the most popular ribbed tops. They have a collar with extra height that doesn’t fold. This style is rather popular, and women like it a lot. This high collar can also keep your neck warm.  Mock Neck ribbed shirts commonly have no sleeves, and women wear them without sleeves.  However, they’re available in half- and full-sleeve and cropped styles. Men often wear these with full sleeves, mostly for fitness purposes. Again, they’re fit enough to show your physique with the ability to absorb sweat. 

5. Turtleneck Ribbed Shirt

The turtleneck has the same neckline style as the mock neck, but the difference comes with height. The turtleneck’s neckline height is shorter and reaches the base of your neck, while the mock neck has a higher height, which reaches almost to the top. 

6. Halter Ribbed Top

Most trendy among women. This ribbed top is not a shirt but a tank top. The big difference is the neckline, which is in a U shape, connects to the back, and leaves the shoulders and neck widely exposed. It’s tight on the bust with an overall fit on the body. Slim women mostly choose this for wearing without layering or with a coat or shirt on top. This ribbed shirt works as an undershirt, or just summer or fitness wear. 

7. Off-Shoulder Ribbed Tee

One of the trendiest off-shoulder tops is also available in a ribbed knit version. The benefit of this fabric compared to other fabrics is its stretchy flexibility. This ribbed top for women has a neckline with a no-shoulder style. They’re especially worn in summer, and the texture of the ribbed fabric adds a new look. 

8. Cropped Ribbed Top

As cropped shirts and jackets are very popular among women, ribbed shirts are also available in cropped versions. The cropped ribbed knit shirt has a tight bust like an off-shoulder ribbed shirt and cropped style, which is popular among activewear women. 

You’ll find top-selling brands like Bella+Canvas, Anvil, and District offering all these different cuts in tons of colors and sizes, so it’s super easy to find the one that fits you just right.

How to Style Ribbed T-Shirts?

A ribbed t-shirt can be worn on almost any occasion because it also works as an undershirt and outer shirt. This gives you a lot of freedom to style yourself up with ribbed T-shirts, whether for formal, casual, chic, informal, or neutral occasions. Here’s how to wear them for any occasion:

Casual & Chic Style:

For Men:

• Jeans and sneakers are always the classic choice of men and women, not only with ribbed shirts but with more types of garments as well.

• If you’re dressing up for any event or party in normal weather, you can wear a men's ribbed t-shirt with white chunky sneakers and jeans. 

• For extra flair, denim shirts are very popular with creamy and white ribbed t-shirts. 

This gives a casual and stylish vibe and is also very comfortable. It is suitable for summer and spring. 

For Women:

• If you want to dress up casually, the same sneakers, denim jeans, and shirts look incredible on women. 

• But you can also wear sandals and shorts for an extra look. Wearing a long coat on top of it adds elegance to the look, or you can wear it with white fabric pants or any oversized jacket, and even jeans. 

Formal Style:

•  If you just add a blazer on top of your ribbed shirt, it’ll give the formal vibes, as blazers are good for formal-looking occasions. 

• The fabric pants of white, green, and charcoal gray will help you look formal!

• Or you can also wear trousers, especially slim-fit trousers in navy or beige color, along with your ribbed shirt, blazer, and footwear like loafers or dress boots. 

•  Extra tip: A tie will bring a more professional look. 

Ribbed Knit Shirts for Activewear Enthusiasts:

• Activewear enthusiasts wear ribbed knit shirts a lot as they are fit, absorb sweat, and are stylish. 

• Men can wear joggers, gym shorts, and sweatpants with a ribbed shirt paired with either a hoodie or a short-sleeved shirt, or without pairing. 

• While women have a classic option of a black color ribbed knit shirt and classic leggings. 

Winter Styling Tips with Ribbed Shirts

• A classic leather jacket on top of your ribbed t-shirt and the pants can do a great job of keeping you warm while being stylish. 

For women

• You can also wear a parka with it, along with the thermal leggings or a biker jacket on top of your ribbed t-shirt. 

Pants to Wear with a Ribbed Knit Shirt

If you don’t like to layer anything but wear only a ribbed shirt with the pants, you have many options other than jeans. 

For Men:

• Try wearing them with chinos; they will give you a more relaxed, casual look that is very popular among men.

• You can choose this layering for casual outings outside, like on weekends or even casual picnics. 

• Another best choice is cigarette pants. These are a type of fabric pants that are wide from the hips to very tight on the ankles. 

• This gives an extra edgy and casual look, and it is best to pair them with ribbed pants. 

For women:

• Women can also wear them with trousers, shorts, oversized, and also ripped pants, which is another trend nowadays. 

• There’s another option of wearing ribbed knit shirts with ‘pedal pusher pants. These pants started to be popular among women in the 1940s and 1950s. 

• Their short and slim style gave a young, chic, and activewear look to young people, especially cyclists. 

• Just like you wear shorts, their length is shorter, which reaches below the knee, but their silhouette style is just like the cigarette pants, wide from the waist and narrow from the bottom. 

This is a special type of outfit idea you can try. But options don’t end here. There are many more pants you can pick up to layer with ribbed shirts because they’re super versatile.

How to Care for Ribbed T-Shirts?

If you care for it properly, its knit rows won’t get affected, and the texture will be maintained along with the quality and comfort that comes with it. 

• Before washing your ribbed t-shirt, you should turn it inside out as it will protect the outer layer from getting damaged. 

• Then wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle, using a mild, non-harmful detergent. Washing with hot water is harmful to your ribbed shirt because it can damage the fabric long-term. 

• Hand wash it, so you’ll be gentler and properly clean the stains. 

• After washing, you shouldn’t use any hair dryer. Keep your ribbed in a dry place to let it air. 

For the ironing:

• Ironing and excessive heat are harmful to your ribbed shirt. It can shrink the small fibers inside your ribbed shirt. Your shirt will get weak, which means it could even lose its elasticity and durability.

• The steamer is a better option here as it doesn’t directly heat the fabric. This will not cause long-term damage and will prolong the life of your ribbed shirt. It will remove wrinkles, odors, and more while maintaining elasticity and longevity. 

Wrap Up

Ribbed knit shirts are a great choice, especially for mild colds like spring or autumn. As they were used as undershirts, women and men wore them as undershirts with coats like blazers, long coats, or full-sleeve shirts. They work like sweaters without being bulky. You can layer them according to your tastes and style. If you use them as undershirts, you can wear summer shirts in cold weather!

FAQs

Q. What is a ribbed knit t-shirt?

Ribbed knit t-shirt is a product of knit fabric, which is stitched in vertical lines which gives flexibility, thickness, durability, warmth, and style to the shirt.

Q. Are ribbed T-shirts good for summer?

If your ribbed knit shirt is made of cotton, then it’ll be comfortable and cool in summer, but the one made with wool could be hot and cause you discomfort in hot weather. Wool material is good for winter.

Q. Is a ribbed knit shirt good for all types of body shapes and sizes?

Yes, if you get yourself the right size, it'll fit on your body and that'll create a silhouette and make you look stylish and flattering.

Q. How many sizes of ribbed knit shirts are available?

You can find these shirts in extra small sizes to extra large sizes.

Q. Are ribbed knit shirts warm?

Yes, they are warm and cozy because of their insulation ability, especially if you have a worn ribbed knit shirt, which is extra warm for the winter.

Q. What are the benefits of ribbed knit t-shirts?

It’s stylish because of its texture, warm and breathable, and best for fitness enthusiasts. It also doesn’t get wrinkles like other fabrics and is easy to care for.

Q. In how many colors is a ribbed knit shirt available?

They’re available in bright colors like red, green, yellow, and white, as well as dark colors like black, brown, and more.

Q. Do ribbed knit shirts last longer?

Yes, they do last longer, with good maintenance, for about five years.

Q. Are ribbed knit shirts expensive?

It depends completely on the brand, material, and quality. There are also affordable options available.