Knit and woven

Knit fabric is made from loops of yarn, which is why a t-shirt stretches in every direction and springs back. Sun hoodies and long-sleeve performance tees are knits. They are lighter, stretchier and dry faster, and they drape against the body.

Woven fabric crosses warp and weft threads at right angles. It has very little give, holds a crease, and supports structure like collars, plackets, chest pockets and vented backs. Classic button-up fishing shirts are wovens.

Neither is better. Knits are more comfortable for casting all day; wovens carry more features and look less like gym kit off the water.

They wear differently too. A knit pills and stretches out over a couple of seasons, while a woven holds its shape for years and fails at the seams and cuffs instead. If a shirt is going to live in a truck and get abused, the woven usually lasts longer.