Tubular vs Side-Seam

Tubular tees are knit as a seamless tube, so there are no side seams; side-seamed tees are cut and sewn from flat panels. Side seams let the maker shape the body (a tapered, less boxy fit) and generally resist the twisting that tubular tees can develop after washing. Tubular construction is cheaper and slightly boxier. Neither is a scandal, but a fitted, structured tee usually has side seams, and paying a tailored-tee price for tubular construction is a small mismatch worth catching. Flip the hem and look — it is a two-second check.