Cotton Shirt

A Cotton Shirt (Cotton Clothes in the Japanese version) is common Clothing-class armor available throughout the  Golden Sun series. It is the first Clothing available, as well as the weakest.

Basic Description by Game
In all its appearances, a Cotton Shirt increases the wearer's base Defense by 3 points. As a common item, it can be bought repeatedly from Vendors for 20 coins each and sold for 15 coins each.

In Golden Sun, Cotton Shirts are sold in Vale and Vault. In Golden Sun: The Lost Age, Cotton Shirts are sold in Daila. In Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, Cotton Shirts are sold in Patcher's Place. In all three games, Cotton Shirts can be equipped by all Adepts in the party.

Analysis
In Golden Sun, after the prologue sequences, the player begins in present-day Vale with a level-1 party of Isaac and Garet each equipped with a Cotton Shirt are their beginning bodywear. In addition, stronger Travel Vests are available from Vale's armor Vendor. Thus, the player has no reason to buy Cotton Shirts. However, selling both Adepts' Cotton Shirts will net 30 coins, allowing the player to buy an extra Leather Cap.

In Golden Sun: The Lost Age, the Cotton Shirt effectively plays the same lowest-of-the-low role, with Felix being the only one equipped with one this time. Right away, the player should buy a Travel Vest for Felix from Daila's Armor Vendor.

In Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, Matthew will begin with a Cotton Shirt as his beginning bodywear. Unlike previous games, Matthew will be unable to buy stronger armor until the player has completed the beginning dungeon. Following the completion of the dungeon, Tyrell will join the party and also have a Cotton Shirt in his possession. Once the player reaches Patcher's Place, the player can buy stronger Travel Vests. Later on, when Eoleo joins the party, he will have a Cotton Shirt as his beginning bodywear. At this late stage, the Cotton Shirt is vastly outclassed and should be replaced as soon as possible.