This is why you get those tiny holes in t-shirts

Hint: They're not moth holes

We love it when we discover the inner workings of our favourite fashion items, from what the holes in your Converse are actually for, to the correct way to put on a bra.

Ever noticed how t-shirts sometimes get those little holes in them, even when you haven’t had them for that long? Well there’s a reason they’re there, and it’s got nothing to do with moths.

Rather than pesky insects, your belt or jeans are more likely to blame. Confused? Bayard Winthrop, the founder and CEO of American Giant told Today, ‘The fabric there is (rubbing) against the hardware: your belt, the tops of your jeans, all points of wear. The friction, repeated over time, has caused the fabric to deteriorate.’

Unfortunately, once the fabric gets caught and the hole appears, there’s not much you can do apart from sewing it closed, which isn’t ideal if you’re not crafty.

Instead, what you can do is prevent the problem by investing in a better quality t-shirt.

Bayard explains, ‘The real culprit here is often the T-shirt fabric itself. The garment itself might be produced as cheaply as possible, cutting costs where possible. Look for brands that call out what type of cotton they are using — a longer fibre length is a good sign — and how the garment is constructed.’

Now we’re not saying moths aren’t to blame for certain types of holes, but there’s an easy way to tell. Check where the holes are situated (e.g., if they’re towards the lower part of your t-shirt, it’s probably your belt snagging the fabric), but if the hole is at the top, it’s more likely to be a moth hole.

With moths, there tends to be a whole cluster of holes too. So there you have it, handy information indeed.