Yikes. Some cotton seems to lint a lot more than usual....thinking nice plush towels and bath mats, not clothes. Maybe it's just a less processed cotton or something?
I remember back in the late 60's or thereabouts where clothes were being made of paper....I actually had one but never wore it....cheap and ugly....may have been a gag gift....I can't remember if they were meant to be washed or not. Definitely a trend that didn't take off (except maybe where your shirts were manufactured).