If you're buying a cotton-poly tee and want to avoid neck stretch from day one, look for a tight, dense collar ribbing. You can check by gently pulling the neckband—if it snaps back quickly, it's better quality. Also check the care label: if it says "pre-shrunk," that's a good sign.

Once you've got the tee home, the first wash matters. Turn it inside out, use cold water, and skip the dryer if you can. Heat is the enemy of elastic recovery. If you must dry, use the lowest heat setting and pull the shirt out while it's still slightly damp.