Before you buy, you can check a few things on your own. Look at the fabric content on the product page—soft-wash tees are usually 100% cotton, but some blends might include a little polyester for stretch. That affects how they wash and dry. Also, check the size chart. Garment-dyed tees often fit a bit snugger because of the pre-wash treatment, so if you're unsure, size up.

Once you have the shirt, read the care label. It's not just legal boilerplate; it tells you the best way to keep the color and fit. Most of these tees will say machine wash cold, tumble dry low. Follow that and you're off to a good start.