The fabric of our Cows
Just a quick note regarding the shirts, because I blew my time budget yesterday introducing Germans to the wonder that are brownies, and am paying for it tonight. You may have noticed I said the shirts were going to be a 50/50 cotton-poly blend, and that a few people didn't like that. I don't really pay much mind when someone says, "If you do x I'll buy y...", because it's akin to "If Apple does x, I'll switch to..." -- 90% of the time they're talking out of their ass because its not an accountable medium...
Doesn't mean I don't take the feedback into account and note it, but it really only carries so much sway and is weighted accordingly. However, I did get some emails from people who ordered a shirt, saying "It really would have been nice if you had a 100% cotton...", so I ran a random informal poll of those who had picked up shirts, and came up with:
- Most people really don't care one way or the other when it comes to 50/50 blends versus cotton -- No real preference, but some do.
- Out of those who care one way or the other, the majority are in the 100% cotton camp with only a quarter being in the poly-blend camp.
- Since the majority have no preference, but those who care primarily prefer 100% cotton, and it wouldn't change the cost or shipping or color availability or sizing, and I still like the brand and cut, it makes sense to use 100% cotton shirts.
So, the shirts will be 100% cotton going forward. However, this presents a bit of a sticky wicket -- some of you already ordered one expecting a 50/50 blend, and really prefer them. You'll be taken care of. If you've ordered a shirt and want it to be a 50/50 blend instead of 100% cotton, email me at the addy to the left with your name and that is what you shall receive.
Posted by drunkenbatmanSeptember 28, 2005, at 11:17 PM
Comments (18)
Posted by: Zach at September 28, 2005 11:43 PM
Gosh, are people really that picky? Cotton, blend, who cares? It's a shirt, wear it!
Posted by: Martey at September 28, 2005 11:44 PM
Not being a cotton snob (just kidding!), could someone enlighten me and the rest of the unwashed masses of the difference and why people consider this important?
Posted by: at September 28, 2005 11:47 PM
Makes sense. Tastefully handled. But I tend to agree with Zach, your devoting time to this is silly.
Posted by: Dustin Sacks at September 29, 2005 12:25 AM
Next you're going to be adding a 100% sheep beside the cow, right?
=)
Posted by: GoRK at September 29, 2005 01:29 AM
A cotton/poly blend tends to get a little toasty at times -- which might be fine if you live in a cold climate and like to wear t-shirts year round. Who knows? I really cant stand to wear t-shirts that are not 100% cotton. They feel sticky and thin. They don't fluff up in the dryer the same way pure cotton does. When you wear them out you cant cut them up and use them as rags that acutally work -- polyester shirts, rather, become rags that appear as if they would work but let you down.
Posted by: sundoggy at September 29, 2005 01:33 AM
Cotton is generally just more comfortable (the actual material) and gets softer as it gets older (granted the shirt/graphics may not hold up as well over time as earlier mentioned). Cotton also "breaths" better. A lot of people don't notice the difference or care, but those who do, really really prefer cotton--it's that big of a deal to those people. In a way previous life, like a long time ago in a galaxy fortunately far far away, I was in a sportswear company, so I'm not totally smoking dope, though I'm sure some of you would be just as comfortable in a blend (or blender).
Posted by: Old Timer at September 29, 2005 02:00 AM
Many years ago I worked for an agency selling promotional items. My two cents:
50/50: Garment lasts slightly longer than cheaper 100% cotton shirts, has more "give" as it is a mix of spandex and cotton. Breathes well. Shirt can have a slight sheen to it. Takes silkscreen and imprints and heat transfers with ease, and they last longer. Wider color selection and sizing options, somewhat cheaper than 100% cotton. Lighter in weight.
100% Cotton: Considered to be more comfortable than a blend, and has had big marketing push in the last few years. Ringspun is the softest, but heaviest. Handles compression better if your marketing involves stuffing a shirt in a can. Gentler on skin. Shirts will not stretch at all, and can suffer from shrinkage while washing.
Most won't care. Some of my favorite shirts are 50/50 and some are 100% cotton. Cotton is the safer choice as not all 50/50 shirts stand up.
Posted by: vastheman at September 29, 2005 02:39 AM
Another point is that for a business shirt, a blend is usually better, because it's easier to iron and lighter.
Posted by: Aptmunich at September 29, 2005 02:54 AM
Always reassuring to see a businessman in a cow shirt...
Posted by: Small Paul at September 29, 2005 03:13 AM
And hey! Polyester = plastic, right? Made from oil? Which is running out? As opposed to cotton, which is renewable?
Posted by: aaron at September 29, 2005 08:50 AM
It's a cow shirt right? Where is the leather option? The silent majority wants more dead cow shirts.
{and if you could provide a veggie freindly alternative to leather . . . that would be great too.}
Posted by: AaronS at September 29, 2005 09:35 AM
Are those places I can buy this fancy shirt...?
I personally don't care on the blend, just want a cow on my chest.
Posted by: Matt at September 29, 2005 12:31 PM
Off to order my shirt since I wasn't talking out of my ass.
Posted by: cjwl at September 29, 2005 02:14 PM
You read my mind, or something like that. I couldn't bring myself to buy the 50/50 shirt, I knew I'd never wear it. The all cotton one is a no brainer though.
Posted by: foresmac at September 29, 2005 03:11 PM
50/50! 50/50!
Posted by: dirkstoop at September 29, 2005 03:29 PM
The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band- Excuse me, sir, would you mind talking to us about shirts?
+ Hey, what?
- About shirts.
+ Shirts?
- Yes.+ I've got plenty at home.
- Heh ...good grief...
Posted by: ethan at September 29, 2005 04:16 PM
no, no. No shirts made of cow, shirts made of sheep with cows on them, that's what we really want. Or tofu shirts, printed with cows.
Very considerate of you Mr DrunkenBatman :-)