The search for the perfect everyday T-shirt often comes down to the same considerations: how it feels against the skin, how it holds its shape and whether it will continue to earn its place in the wardrobe after repeated wear.
For us, that starts with the fibre.
Our everyday basics are crafted in either 100% cotton or 100% merino wool. We choose these natural fibres for their breathability, softness and ability to perform across seasons - qualities that become particularly important in the pieces worn closest to the body.
It’s a simple approach, but one that makes a noticeable difference to how a T-shirt feels, wears and becomes part of an everyday wardrobe.
Our Cotton Shirts
Cotton has been the benchmark for soft, breathable basics for a reason. A t-shirt spun from 100% cotton moves with your body, breathes in warm weather, and softens with every wash rather than pilling or losing shape the way cheaper cotton blends do.
Our Cotton Everyday V-Neck T is cut from an ultra-lightweight Japanese cotton, chosen specifically for its soft hand and fluid drape. It's made in Melbourne with a relaxed silhouette, a subtly shrunken V neckline and above-elbow sleeves that give it a more considered feel than a classic crew tee. The fabric has been developed for its natural fluidity, using high-quality dyed yarns so it holds its shape and colour with proper care, wash after wash. It's the kind of top that moves closer to silk than most cotton basics manage, without losing the easy, everyday wearability that makes a cotton tee a wardrobe staple in the first place.
It comes in Black, White, Marl Grey and Ecru, each priced at $120 AUD, and it's designed to be worn constantly: with denim on its own, or layered under a leather trench or a softly structured cashmere coat when the weather turns.
Shop the Cotton Everyday V-Neck T
Our Merino Wool Pieces
Merino wool has quietly become the fabric people search for once they've tried it. Unlike traditional wool, merino fibres are exceptionally fine, which is what makes a 100% merino wool tee feel soft against the skin rather than itchy. It also regulates temperature naturally, keeping you warm without overheating, and it resists odour far better than cotton or synthetics, which makes it one of the few fabrics you can wear for days between washes.
Our Merino Tee and Merino Camisole are both knitted and sewn in Melbourne from a heavier-weight merino jersey, which gives them a smooth, substantial hand feel while still staying soft and breathable against the skin. The Merino Tee has a close fit, elbow-length sleeves and a longer line that sits on the low hip, polished enough to wear on its own and simple enough to layer under everything else in your wardrobe. The Merino Camisole takes the same fabric into a foundational layer, with a softly shaped scoop neckline and straps wide enough to sit comfortably under a bra, plus enough length for easy tucking.
Both come in Black, Espresso and Off White, with the black and espresso colourways finished using a natural process that lends a subtle sheen, while the off white offers a softer, matte alternative. The Merino Tee is $169 AUD and the Merino Camisole is $159 AUD.
Shop the Merino Tee / Shop the Merino Camisole
Cotton or Merino: How to Choose
If you're comparing the best cotton t-shirt against the best merino wool t-shirt for your own wardrobe, it usually comes down to how and where you're wearing it. Reach for cotton when you want a light, breathable everyday tee that layers easily and softens beautifully over time. Reach for merino wool when you want something that works harder: a piece with more structure and substance, natural temperature regulation, and the kind of longevity that means it barely needs washing to stay fresh. Many of our customers keep both in rotation for exactly this reason, cotton for warmer days and easy layering, merino for the pieces that need to go the distance.
Why the Fiber Matters More than the Label
A composition label only tells part of the story. Two T-shirts can both be made from 100% cotton or 100% merino wool and feel entirely different to wear. The quality of the yarn, the way it is knitted, its weight and the finishing all influence how a fabric ultimately feels against the skin.
Our basics are designed, knitted and sewn in Melbourne, allowing us to consider each of these details closely. From yarn weight and knit tension to the final finish, every decision is made with the way the garment will feel, fit and wear in mind.
It’s this attention to the fabric, not simply the fibre listed on the label, that gives a beautifully made basic its difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 100% cotton better than a cotton blend for t-shirts?
For softness and breathability, yes. Cotton blends are usually cut with polyester or elastane to reduce cost, which can make a t-shirt feel less breathable and more prone to pilling. A 100% cotton tee, especially one made from quality yarns, softens with wear instead of breaking down.
Does 100% merino wool feel itchy?
No. Itchiness usually comes from coarser, low-micron wool. Merino fibres are much finer, which is what makes merino wool tees and layers feel soft rather than scratchy against the skin.
Can you wear merino wool in warm weather?
Yes. Merino wool regulates temperature in both directions, so a merino tee or camisole can feel just as comfortable on a mild day as it does layered under a coat in winter.
Where are Banded Together's cotton and merino basics made?
Every piece in our cotton and merino basics range is designed, knitted and made in Melbourne.
Explore the full range of everyday basics at Banded Together, made from 100% cotton and 100% merino wool, designed and made in Melbourne.
