By Shivaan Seth, Founder
A heavyweight T-shirt is about structure. The fabric is denser, so it holds its shape, drapes cleanly and makes a plain T-shirt look considered. All of our heavy pieces are 100% 16-count cotton at 250 GSM, made in-house in India (Delhi-NCR), for men and women, in seven colours.
Watch
What is GSM in a T-shirt?
What is yarn count? 16-count vs 40-count cotton
"The point of a heavy tee was never warmth. It was always silhouette. Dense cotton, better drape, and a shape that makes even simple outfits look more considered." Shivaan Seth, founder
What makes a T-shirt heavyweight?
Two numbers tell you most of it:
- GSM (grams per square metre) is the weight of the fabric. Everyday T-shirts are often 150 to 180 GSM. Heavyweight starts around 220 GSM. Ours are 250 GSM. More on this in what GSM means in T-shirts.
- Yarn count is how fine the yarn is. The lower the number, the thicker the yarn. Our heavy line uses 16-count cotton; our everyday T-shirts use finer 40-count. Thicker yarn knits into a denser fabric with more body.
The fibre matters too. Some heavy T-shirts get their weight from polyester blends. Ours are 100% cotton, so they stay breathable.
Our heavyweight range
| Style | Fit | Lengths | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Short Sleeve Tee (men) | Classic round neck | Short, Regular, Tall | Rs 1,590 |
| Heavy Long Sleeve Tee (men) | Classic round neck, full sleeve | Short, Regular, Tall | Rs 1,790 |
| Heavy Oversized Crew Neck (men) | Oversized | Short, Regular, Tall | Rs 1,790 |
| Heavy Short Sleeve Polo (men) | Classic polo collar | Short, Regular, Tall | Rs 1,990 |
| Heavy Long Sleeve Polo (men) | Full sleeve polo | Short, Regular, Tall | Rs 2,390 |
| Heavy Short Sleeve Tee (women) | Classic round neck | One length | Rs 1,590 |
| Heavy Boxy Crop Tee (women) | Boxy, cropped | One length | Rs 1,390 |
| Heavy Short Sleeve Polo (women) | Classic polo collar | One length | Rs 1,990 |
Every piece comes in Black, White, Navy, Beige, Pink, Charcoal and Vintage Khaki. Men's sizes run XS to 3XL, women's XXS to 3XL. All our fabrics are bio-washed, given a gold finish and pre-shrunk.
Heavyweight or lightweight: which should you wear?
"The regular tee is for when it's hot, busy, and you're moving. The heavy cotton tee is for when you want structure without trying very hard." Shivaan Seth, founder
- Choose heavyweight (250 GSM) for air-conditioned offices, evenings out, travel, the cooler months, and as a base layer in winter. It's also the better choice if lighter T-shirts look limp on you after a few washes.
- Choose lightweight (180 GSM) for peak summer and long days outdoors in the heat. Our Short Sleeve Tee and women's T-shirts and tops are made for that.
Comparing fabrics side by side? Read cotton blend vs modal vs heavy cotton.
Regular, oversized or boxy?
- Heavy Short Sleeve Tee: a classic fit that works tucked or untucked, and under a shirt or jacket.
- Heavy Oversized Crew Neck: a roomier, relaxed shape. The 250 GSM fabric keeps it looking deliberate rather than sloppy.
- Heavy Boxy Crop Tee: a boxy, cropped shape for women that pairs with high-waist bottoms like our High-Waist Flare Pants.
Most men's heavy pieces come in three lengths, so shorter and taller men get the same structure without the T-shirt bunching or riding up. See T-shirts for tall and short men in India.
Heavy polos
The same 250 GSM cotton makes our Heavy Polo, built to go from work to dinner while keeping its collar. Read our polo guide or shop all heavy polos.
Frequently asked questions
What is a heavyweight T-shirt?
A T-shirt made from denser, heavier fabric, usually measured in GSM (grams per square metre). Everyday T-shirts are often 150 to 180 GSM; heavyweight T-shirts are generally 220 GSM and up. Ours are 250 GSM.
Is 250 GSM good for a T-shirt?
Yes, if you want structure. At 250 GSM the fabric holds its shape, drapes cleanly and feels substantial. For the hottest days, a lighter 180 GSM T-shirt will feel cooler.
Are heavyweight T-shirts too hot for Indian weather?
They are warmer than a lightweight T-shirt, but ours are 100% cotton, which breathes. Most people wear them in air-conditioned offices, in the evenings, through the cooler months and under layers in winter, and switch to 180 GSM for peak summer.
What is 16-count cotton?
Yarn count tells you how fine the yarn is: the lower the number, the thicker the yarn. Our heavy line uses 16-count cotton, which knits into a dense 250 GSM fabric. Our everyday T-shirts use finer 40-count yarn.
Do Better Basics heavy T-shirts shrink?
All our fabrics are bio-washed, given a gold finish and pre-shrunk before cutting. Wash cool and dry in the shade to keep the fit.
Do heavy T-shirts come in different lengths?
Yes. The men's heavy T-shirts, long sleeves, oversized crew necks and polos come in Short (2 inches shorter), Regular and Tall (2 inches longer). Only the body length changes.
Shop this guide
Heavy Short Sleeve Tee in Charcoal
Heavy Oversized Crew Neck in Vintage Khaki
Heavy Boxy Crop Tee in Beige
Related guides: What GSM means in T-shirts · Polo T-shirts for men: heavy, regular or slub? · Best heavyweight T-shirt brands in India
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