One shirt = four changes of clothes! This is the new way to pack as light as possible. The four-sided t-shirts from Italian company UZTZU are one of the best innovations in fashion we’ve seen lately.

UZTZU calls them “quadface” tops because they literally have four different patterns you can wear. You can turn the shirts inside out and back-to-front, and each time you’ll have a new design showing. It makes it seem like you brought along four t-shirts, not just one.

If the idea of wearing the same shirt more than once sounds rather stinky, UZTZU solved this problem already. The shirts are made of a fiber that stays dry, and it’s treated to stay odor-free. The fabric is lightweight and cool.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the best features of the UZTZU quadface travel shirt.

The perfect travel t-shirt

The UZTZU t-shirt is the perfect travel companion. It’s comfortable, it’s versatile, and it saves space in luggage. In fact, you might not need to bring any other shirts with you on a weekend getaway.

Have you ever spilled something on the front of your shirt? With the quadface (or “Q”) top, simply pull it off and flip it around or inside out until you can get the spot cleaned.

Ever run to catch your flight or train and gotten sweaty? Again, there’s no worry. The material dries very quickly and it won’t smell like you just had a workout. (Of course, you might still need deodorant!)

Technically advanced material

Speaking of the fabric, we learned some more about what makes up this unique t-shirt. The material is recycled plastic. That’s right—even though a water bottle doesn’t seem very cozy to wear on your skin, each UZTZU top is made from 6 of them. Of course, all that plastic waste is recycled in a special way to turn it into soft fabric.

The fabric is called REPREVE polyester, and it’s made by a company named Unifi. There are products made by FOSSIL, ROXY, Yukon Outfitters, and many others that use REPREVE. UZTZU says they are proud to be combining style with helping the environment.

The REPREVE material is what makes the Q-shirt lightweight, resistant to wrinkling, soft on skin, and quick-drying. It’s a single layer of 160 gram/meter² of fabric, about the same thickness and weight of a traditional t-shirt.

The material is treated to be anti-bacterial so it won’t carry around odors even when you wear it day after day. UZTZU doesn’t say what they use to make the fabric anti-microbial, but we’re guessing it’s UNIFI’s A.M.Y process, since UNIFI is the maker of REPREVE, the recycled polyester material of the Q-shirt. A.M.Y is a permanent built-in inhibitor of bacteria, mold, mildew, and algae that’s environmentally safe and won’t discolor clothes.

Superior construction

The choice of the material is very important in a travel top or blouse, but the way it’s put together is essential also. UZTZU says that the cut of the neckline, which is symmetrical, is unusual, and the result of careful experimentation. Of course, it would have to be equal on both sides since the shirt is reversible.

The stitching must have presented a challenge when the Q-shirt was being designed. UZTZU purposefully left the side stitches visible. They explain that the way the top is sewn is secure, but the stitch itself is soft on skin.

Cutting-edge art

If you glance through UZTZU’s lookbook of photographs, and check out the patterns available, you’ll see the European influence in their prints. Sure, you can order a plain-colored Q-shirt in soft pastels, but why not get one with Laocoön and his sons, the famous Roman sculpture? Or a handwritten declaration that punk is cool? Each top is a piece of art influenced by both Italian history and modern culture.

All the printed designs are dyed with safe water-based inks. These inks are safe for sensitive skin because they are hypoallergenic. And each print is done in stages by highly-skilled printers in Italy.

If you notice a “flaw” in the print, you can celebrate the fact that your particular shirt is unique. UZTZU says they combine attention to detail and artisanal crafting on an industrial scale, so uneven prints are more prized than perfect ones. (Think of it like those pennies with engraving mistakes that went from being worth 1 cent to over $1000 simply because they are unlike all the rest.)

Size and fit

The Q-shirts are made for anyone and everyone. The men’s cut comes in one style—short-sleeve, slimline fit, and oversize in height. This makes it very easy to move in and enjoy, no matter the activity. The bottom edge comes down to below the waistline (about mid-pocket on a pair of jeans) and the sleeves fall to about mid-bicep on the average-sized guy. Take a look at the different shirts available here.

Q-shirts for women come in two cuts—slim and over. The slim style ends just below the waistline and has a slightly scooped neck and slightly flared sleeves that end mid-bicep. The over style is also slimline in fit, but quite a bit longer. The bottom reaches well below the waistline. The neckline is slightly scooped and the sleeves are short and loose, reaching to near the elbow.

Every shirt is worth 4

This is one of UZTZU’s taglines, that every one of their shirts is worth four regular t-shirts. Based on the donation levels they set for their Kickstarter campaign, we’re seeing that this is about how their quadface shirts will be priced. Cost aside, this is an awesome invention that should already be in every store right now. Just check out this brief video and try to not be impressed.

Conclusion

After reviewing this four-sided travel t-shirt, we want one (or two or three!) right now. We’re anxious to see what real-world users are going to say once they get to try them out. And the question will be how long can a person go without washing one of these things? Will you be the first to find out?

Check back with us soon to see the newest and best in gadgets and tech.