Gildan 64000L Ladies SoftStyle Fitted T-Shirt Review

Overview

At T-Shirt Elephant, we've printed over 15,000 Gildan 64000L Ladies SoftStyle Fitted T-Shirts since 2019, making it one of our most popular ladies blanks. This isn't just another basic tee—it's Gildan's answer to the growing demand for fitted ladies apparel that actually fits properly.

The 64000L represents a significant step up from basic Gildan models like the 2000L or 5000L. At 4.5 oz, it uses 100% ringspun cotton (30 singles) instead of open-end cotton, giving it a noticeably softer hand feel. The semi-fitted construction with side seams creates a flattering silhouette that works for both promotional use and retail merchandise.

What sets this tee apart is its print-friendly construction. The smooth ringspun surface and high stitch density make it ideal for screen printing, DTG printing, and even embroidery. We've found it performs exceptionally well with detailed designs and vibrant colours, holding up through multiple washes without significant fading.

However, there's one critical sizing issue that catches many customers off guard: this tee runs significantly small. Based on our customer feedback and internal testing, we recommend sizing up at least one size from your normal fit. A customer who typically wears Medium should order Large in the 64000L.

Fabric & Quality

The fabric construction of the 64000L is where Gildan really stepped up their game. The 4.5 oz/yd² (153 gsm) weight strikes an excellent balance—substantial enough for durability without being heavy or stiff.

The ringspun cotton construction (30 singles) creates a much smoother, softer surface compared to open-end cotton alternatives. We tested fabric samples under 10x magnification and found the fiber alignment to be notably more uniform than basic Gildan models. This translates to better print adhesion and less pilling after washing.

In our wash tests, we ran 10 white and 10 black 64000L shirts through 25 wash/dry cycles using standard commercial settings (warm wash, medium heat dry). The results were impressive: minimal color fading, no significant pilling, and the fabric maintained its soft hand feel throughout. The double-needle hem stitching held up perfectly, with no loose threads or unraveling.

One quality issue we've observed occasionally: some color lots show slight variations in softness. We suspect this relates to different cotton sources or processing batches. Heather colors (90/10 cotton/polyester blend) tend to be slightly softer and less prone to shrinkage than 100% cotton solids.

The preshrunk treatment works reasonably well, though customers should still expect some length shrinkage on first wash. Our testing showed 6-8% length shrinkage and 2-3% width shrinkage, which is better than untreated cotton but still noticeable.

Fit & Sizing

This is where the 64000L gets tricky, and why we always counsel customers to size up. The "fitted" designation isn't marketing fluff—this tee is genuinely cut to follow feminine body contours with a tapered waist and shorter sleeves.

Based on our internal measurements of Medium samples from multiple production runs:

• Chest width (laid flat): 18 inches
• Body length: 26.25 inches
• Sleeve length: 12 inches
• Shoulder to shoulder: 16 inches

These measurements run approximately 1-1.5 inches smaller in chest width compared to unisex alternatives. The fitted silhouette is achieved through side seaming and strategic tapering at the waist. While this creates an attractive shape, it also means less room for movement and a snugger fit overall.

Customer feedback consistently mentions the tight fit. Common comments include "had to exchange for larger size," "fits like junior sizing," and "great fit after sizing up." We estimate that 70% of first-time 64000L customers need to size up from their usual selection.

For reference, a customer who comfortably wears Medium in our Gildan 5000 should order Large in the 64000L. The length works well for most body types, hitting at a flattering mid-hip length.

Extended sizes (2XL-3XL) maintain the fitted proportions but may be harder to source in all colors. Stock is generally excellent in S-XL across most color options.

Print Performance

Screen Printing

The 64000L is outstanding for screen printing. The ringspun cotton surface provides excellent ink adhesion, and the tight weave prevents bleed-through on detailed designs. We've printed everything from simple one-color logos to complex six-color designs with excellent results.

The smooth surface means less ink is required to achieve full coverage, which helps with cost control on large orders. Water-based inks penetrate beautifully, creating a soft hand feel that doesn't compromise the shirt's comfort. Plastisol inks also perform well, though we recommend flash curing between colors on lighter weight fabrics like this.

One advantage of the fitted construction: the shirt lays flat on the press more easily than loose-fitting alternatives, reducing registration issues on multi-color jobs. The side seams do require careful placement for wraparound designs, but this is manageable with proper setup.

DTG Printing

For DTG printing, the 64000L ranks among our top performers. The smooth ringspun surface allows for crisp detail reproduction and vibrant color saturation. White and light colors print beautifully with minimal pretreatment.

Dark colors require standard DTG pretreatment, but the cotton composition responds well to the process. We've achieved excellent results on navy, black, and dark heather colors. Photo-quality prints maintain their detail and color accuracy through multiple washes.

The fitted styling makes this particularly popular for fashion-forward DTG designs. Customers appreciate the modern silhouette combined with high-quality print reproduction.

Embroidery

The 64000L handles embroidery reasonably well, though the lighter weight requires careful stabilizer selection. We use medium-weight tearaway backing for most designs, switching to cutaway for dense fills or large logos.

The ringspun cotton holds stitches securely without excessive puckering. However, the fitted construction means embroidery placement needs careful consideration—oversized chest logos can distort the silhouette. Left chest logos (2.5-3 inches) work best.

Thread tension requires fine-tuning compared to heavier blanks, but experienced embroiderers will find it manageable. The soft fabric means finished embroidery has a pleasant hand feel without stiffness.

Pros & Cons

Specifications

Alternatives Comparison

How does the Gildan 64000L stack up against other popular ladies fitted tees? Here's our head-to-head comparison with the top alternatives:

Choose the Gildan 64000L if: You need reliable stock availability, excellent print performance, and great value for promotional or bulk orders. The semi-fitted styling works well for corporate events, fundraisers, and retail merchandise where quality matters but budget is a concern.

Choose Bella Canvas 6004 instead if: Premium softness and ultra-slim fit are priorities, and you're willing to pay 50% more. Better for high-end retail merchandise and fashion-forward designs where the shirt itself is part of the style statement.

Choose Anvil 1441 instead if: You prefer a more relaxed fitted cut that's forgiving on sizing. Good middle-ground option, though stock availability can be inconsistent compared to Gildan.

Best Uses

Care Instructions

Proper care is essential to maintain the 64000L's appearance and minimize shrinkage. Based on our washing tests with over 100 shirts, here are our recommendations:

Initial Wash: Wash separately or with like colors in cold water (30°C/86°F) for the first wash. This minimizes the 6-8% length shrinkage that occurs regardless of the preshrunk treatment. Using cold water can reduce this to 5-6%.

Ongoing Care: Machine wash warm (40°C/104°F) with similar colors. The ringspun cotton handles normal washing well, but avoid bleach on colored shirts as it can cause uneven fading.

Drying: Tumble dry on medium heat or hang dry for best results. High heat can cause additional shrinkage and may affect print durability on decorated shirts. Remove promptly to prevent over-drying and stiffness.

Print Preservation: Turn shirts inside out before washing to protect printed or embroidered designs. Avoid fabric softeners as they can affect print adhesion over time. For DTG prints, cold water washing extends color vibrancy.

Ironing: Iron inside out on medium heat if needed. Avoid ironing directly over printed designs. The ringspun cotton responds well to steaming for wrinkle removal.

Our Verdict

The Gildan 64000L Ladies SoftStyle Fitted T-Shirt represents excellent value in the ladies fitted category. At $5.95 CAD, it delivers premium feel and print performance that competes with shirts costing 30-50% more.

The biggest selling point is reliability. Unlike some premium alternatives that suffer from stock shortages or quality inconsistencies, the 64000L maintains steady availability and predictable performance. For businesses running ongoing promotional campaigns or retailers needing consistent inventory, this reliability is invaluable.

The sizing issue is manageable once you know about it. Our customer service team now routinely recommends sizing up, and customer satisfaction has improved significantly. The fitted styling, when sized correctly, creates an attractive silhouette that works across age groups and body types.

Print performance is where this tee really shines. Whether you're doing simple one-color screen prints or complex DTG designs, the 64000L delivers consistently excellent results. The smooth surface and stable construction eliminate many variables that can affect print quality.

Final Rating: 4.2/5

Best for: Businesses and organizations needing reliable, attractive ladies fitted tees for promotional use, retail merchandise, or team uniforms. Excellent choice when budget consciousness and quality both matter.

Skip it if: You need ultra-premium softness and are willing to pay significantly more (choose Bella Canvas), or if the fitted styling doesn't suit your target demographic (consider unisex alternatives).

Bottom line: The 64000L proves that Gildan can compete in the premium ladies market when they focus on construction quality and print performance. Remember to size up, and you'll have a winner.