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Day 22: It’s Not Just "Long Johns" (The Thermal Menu)

Welcome to Week 4, Day 22 of My Dad vs. The Algorithm.

A cartoon infographic titled "The Waffle Menu" displaying three types of thermal fabric swatches. Alex points to a fine-textured "Baby Thermal" swatch, while Ira holds a coffee mug standing next to a "Classic Thermal" swatch. A heavy "Chunky Thermal" swatch hangs on the far right.
The Waffle Menu. 🧇 Alex (left) loves the Baby Waffle for a refined, premium look. Ira (center) sticks to The Classic for that Saturday morning coffee vibe. Whether you want Micro or Chunky, the right texture adds instant value to your brand.

Today we are celebrating Texture.

When people hear the word "Thermal," they usually picture old-school white long underwear. But in the fashion world, Thermal (or Waffle Knit) is one of the most versatile fabrics you can use. It adds depth, dimension, and perceived value to a garment instantly.

My dad, Ira, loves Thermals because they hide a multitude of sins.

Ira’s Take:

"Flat fabric is boring. If you make a plain white t-shirt, it has to be perfect because you see every wrinkle. But Thermal? Thermal has personality. It has shadows. It has depth. You put a waffle texture on a shirt, and suddenly it looks like a $100 item instead of a $20 item. It’s the easiest upgrade in the book."

The Thermal Menu: Which Waffle is Which?

Not all Thermals are created equal. Just like sandpaper comes in different grits, Thermal comes in different scales. Choosing the right one changes the entire "vibe" of your brand.

Here are the three main players we knit right here in LA:

1. The "Baby Waffle" (Micro Thermal) 👶

  • The Vibe: Sophisticated, feminine, refined.

  • Best For: Women’s fitted tees, high-end loungewear, baby clothes.

  • Why We Love It: The texture is tiny—almost like a grain of rice. It gives you the "cozy" factor without the bulk. It drapes beautifully and feels more like a premium skin-layer than a heavy sweater.

2. The "Classic" (Mid-Scale Waffle) ☕️

  • The Vibe: Timeless, rugged-casual, "The Saturday Morning."

  • Best For: The classic Henley button-up, men's basics, unisex hoodies.

  • Why We Love It: This is the Goldilocks size. It’s distinct enough to see the square "waffle" pattern from a distance, but not so heavy that it feels like a blanket. It’s the standard for a reason.

3. The "Chunky" (Heavyweight Waffle) 🪵

  • The Vibe: Streetwear, oversized fits, winter warmth.

  • Best For: Heavy cardigans, boxy hoodies, winter statement pieces.

  • Why We Love It: This is distinct and bold. The "cells" of the honeycomb are deep and wide. It traps a ton of heat (hence the name "Thermal") and holds a structured shape really well.

The Secret Ingredient: Spandex

We can knit these in 100% Cotton for that vintage, (the purist's choice). CAUTION: THERMALS HAVE HIGH SHRINKAGE.

BUT, if you want your customer to wear it all day without "elbow bags" or "knee sag," we recommend adding a tiny percentage of Spandex. Also can help with shrinkage It keeps the waffle tight and bouncy, so the shirt looks as good at 8 PM as it did at 8 AM.

The Bottom Line

Don't be afraid of texture. In a world of flat, digital screens, people want to wear something they can feel.

Ira’s Final Advice:

"Stop calling it 'Long Johns.' Call it 'Texture.' You dye a Baby Waffle in Charcoal or Olive, put a nice binding on the neck, and you've got a bestseller. It’s all about the presentation."

Tune in tomorrow for Day 23!

(Missed yesterday's post about Made in USA manufacturing? Read Day 21: The Kitchen Rule here.)

Find your perfect texture. Shop our USA Thermal Collection.

 
 
 

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