If you could see our crewneck stacked side by side with those cheaply made ones you'd see how much thicker and more substantial it is. We call it the plush factor. It's what makes this crew's fleeced interior more inviting after a workout or snuggling into after a long day at work. As for shrinkage, mild garment washing takes care of that, so just order your regular size. The fabric is our very soft 72% cotton/28% polyester blend. Machine wash. Imported.