There comes a point when a tee is beyond saving. Holes are the most obvious end-of-life signal. A small hole at the collar or in the armpit can be repaired, but multiple holes mean the fabric is too weak to hold a stitch. Similarly, permanent stains that don't come out with treatment—like oil or ink—can be a dealbreaker, especially for a travel wardrobe where you want to look presentable.

Another death knell is when the tee loses its shape. If the hem starts to sag, the sleeves stretch out, or the whole thing looks like a bag after washing, it's time to retire it. A good tee should bounce back to its original shape after a wash. If it doesn't, the elastane or cotton fibers are spent.

And if the tee has a lingering odor that doesn't wash out—often caused by body oils building up in the fabric—that's your cue to move on. You can't fix that with a wash.