Why the side seam twists around the body

Short answer: When the side seam of your T-shirt twists around your body, it is usually because knitted loops sit slightly crooked in the fabric and pull when the shirt gets wet and dries. Fit, washing and drying decide how much it happens.

What a side seam actually is

The side seam is the vertical line from the armpit down to the hem. It should fall straight along the side of your body, so the shirt sits calmly and you do not think about it all day. Some shirts are knitted as a tube with no seam, while others are cut and sewn together.

Why the fabric likes to turn

Knitted fabric is made of rows of loops, and the yarn in each loop is twisted. When the fabric gets wet, the fibres relax, and the twist can pull slightly in one direction. If the rows do not lie perfectly straight from the start, the difference grows with every wash, and the shirt slowly begins to turn.

Washing sets the twist in motion

Hot washing, hard spinning and an overfull drum all pull at the fabric from different sides. That creates tension in the loops, which only releases when the shirt dries. Wash at a low temperature according to the care label, leave some air in the drum, and choose a gentle programme so the fabric is not thrown around hard.

How to lay the shirt out to dry

Shake the shirt out and smooth the side seams with your hand while you can still feel the damp. Then hang it by the shoulders or lay it flat on a drying rack, so the side seams lie directly over each other. Avoid hanging it by a single peg at the hem, since that pulls the fabric crooked as it dries.

Fit matters too

A shirt that is too tight across the chest strains the fabric and pushes the side seam out of position more easily when you move. Choose a size where the shoulder seam sits at the edge of your shoulder and you can lift your arms without the shirt riding up. With enough room, the fabric stays calm and the seam stays where it belongs.

The same goes for long sleeves

Sleeves and sides are connected, and when a sleeve twists, the side seam often follows. You see this a lot when the sleeve was washed and dried in a crumpled bundle. Look at the long sleeve models, and lay them flat with the sleeves along the sides before they dry, so the rows lie straight.

Thicker knits hold their shape differently

A thicker, denser knit, like the kind you know from sweatwear, has more body and does not give in to twisting as easily. That does not mean it can never pull, but the twist becomes rarer and smaller. If you look around among bamboo sweatwear, you can feel the weight of the fabric before you choose.

If the shirt is already twisted

Dampen the shirt lightly so it does not drip, and gently pull it against the direction of the twist until the side seams fall straight. Lay it flat to dry in that shape. This often helps partly, but not always, and you can see the whole selection in the range for men if you want to replace an old shirt.

Frequently asked questions

Is a crooked side seam a defect?

Not necessarily. It is a common result of knitted fabric, washing and drying, and most shirts twist a little over time. If the difference is large already after the first wash, you can contact the shop and show it.

Does washing the shirt inside out help?

Yes, it can protect the surface and reduce wear, but it does not correct a twist by itself. What matters most is a gentle wash, plenty of room in the drum and laying the shirt flat while it dries.

Can I tumble dry a T-shirt without the seam twisting?

It is possible, but heat and movement raise the risk. Follow the care label, choose a gentle programme, take the shirt out while it is still slightly damp, and lay it flat.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.