If you turn a jacquard knit to the wrong side, you will see the surface design in reverse. Companies also add more interest to fabrics by combining fibers of different colors when spinning the yarn. A heather effect results in the fabric. Because of the additional processing and planning, both jacquard knits and basic knits in heathered colors often cost slightly more than the same item in a solid color. When selecting a shirt with horizontal stripes, make sure the stripes match at side seams and across the chest at the sleeve seams.
Matched stripes indicate better quality, but also improve the appearance of the garment.
Many catalogues and some garment labels in stores identify the weight of the yarn or fabric used in garments. The higher the number, the heavier the fabric. For outdoor winter activities, a ten ounce per square yard fabric weight may be a good choice, while a five to six ounce fabric weight would be better for at home or to wear under sweaters. Note references to multiple ply yarns, such as a two ply yarn versus a single ply yarn. More plies will give a heavier yarn which results in more stability, but also greater strength and warmth in the fabric.