The History of the T-shirt
T-shirts are a staple of the modern wardrobe. Most children, and men and women of all ages own, at least one T-shirt, if not many more.
There are many different styles of T-shirt available. A classic T-shirt is short sleeved, with a crew neck and usually made of cotton, or a cotton mix. V neck T-shirts, long sleeved T-shirt and T-shirts with buttons or other embellishments are also available. T-shirts with designs, pictures and text on them are popular fashion statements. Band T-shirts are particularly popular.
How did T-shirts originate?
The exact origin of the T-shirt is not exactly clear, but there are some theories. The T-shirt shape is not a new thing, and garments of the same shape have been traced as far back as Egyptian times.
However, what we now know as the T-shirt is thought to have been born in the 1900s. Most reports suggest the T-shirt was probably invented in America or Britain. During the first world war American soldiers noticed that while they were sweating under heavy wool uniforms, European soldiers were cooler in cotton undershirts. These cotton shirts quickly became popular with American troops and the term “T-shirt” was coined in the 1920s when it was included in the dictionary.
By World War Two T-shirts were standard issues in the American army and navy.
How T-shirts have evolved
T-shirts were originally worn as an item of underwear. Of course now we know they are regularly worn as an item of clothing in their own right. When the T-shirt first became popular some members of the public were shocked by famous actors such as Marlon Brando and James Dean wearing their underwear on TV and in films. In popular culture in the 50s and early 60s a man in a T-shirt was often a tough or rebellious character or ‘bad boy’.
In 1959 Jean Seberg wore a T-shirt bearing the words ‘Herald Tribune’ in the iconic French film Breathless. These T-shirts became sought after fashion items.
Whereas initially T-shirts had mainly been plain white, they began to become more decorative and experimental in the 60s. Tie-dyeing and screen printing were popular and shapes began to diversify as well, with sleeveless and vest style T-shirts emerging.
Because T-shirts were inexpensive in their basic form companies and individuals began to use them as a vehicle for promotion. Band, brand and sports merchandise sold particularly well.
In the 60s T-shirts were also a popular canvas for people to promote their social and political agendas. By the 80s and 90s advances in T-shirt printing technology meant that T-shirts could be printed more cheaply and in higher numbers.
T-shirts now
These days there are so many T-shirt variations available. Tight T-shirts, baggy, oversized T-shirts and puff-sleeved T-shirts to name but a few. It is also popular for people to buy blank T-shirts and decorate it themselves with fabric paint, embroidery or embellishments such as buttons and sequins.
The internet means that many businesses and individuals now order T-shirts in bulk over the internet, often paying the same company to print something on them. T-shirts can be printed with anything such as a company logo, a band design or even the names of guests at a stag or hen party.
The T-shirt is likely to be around for a long time yet. As one of the most versatile and universal items of clothing around, the only restriction on the development of T-shirts is other people’s imaginations.
