GSM
Grams per square meter — the standard unit for fabric weight. Higher GSM = heavier, denser, often more durable.
GSM stands for grams per square meter, the metric the textile industry uses to specify how heavy a fabric is. A standard cotton t-shirt sits around 140–180 GSM. A heavyweight tee runs 220–280. A loopback terry sweatshirt lands closer to 380–450. A heavyweight chore coat or denim jacket is often 12–14oz, which translates roughly to 480–540 GSM.
Why it matters: weight is the single best proxy for how a garment feels in the hand and on the body. A 220 GSM tee will be noticeably more substantial than a 160 GSM one — heavier drape, less translucency, fewer wear-throughs at year three. The tradeoff is breathability. A 280 GSM tee in July is uncomfortable; a 160 GSM one in November is too thin under a coat.
When a brand publishes GSM, it's a signal they're paying attention. When they don't, you're trusting their adjectives ("heavyweight", "premium-weight") instead of a number. We always note GSM when the brand discloses it.
Merino wool
A fine-fiber wool from Merino sheep — softer, less itchy, and more breathable than standard wool. Used in everything from base layers to mid-weight knits.
Cashmere
A luxury wool from cashmere goats — extremely soft, lightweight, and warm. Quality varies enormously; price is a rough proxy.
Oz (fabric weight)
Ounces per square yard — the imperial unit for fabric weight, used most often for denim, canvas, and other heavy fabrics.
Loopback terry
A knit fabric with smooth jersey on the outside and uncut yarn loops on the inside. The classic sweatshirt construction.
Pima cotton
An extra-long staple cotton variety grown in the American Southwest, Peru, and Egypt. The generic version of the trademarked Supima.