History of T-shirt

T-shirts have become such a big part of our everyday clothing, that most of us don’t even realize we are wearing one. We start our day wearing one, pair it up with our favourite pair of jeans when we are outside, and sip our bedtime cocoa comfortably lounging in one. The t-shirt as we know it today, has its origins, in 19th century Europe, and actually evolved from vests. The round necked, short sleeved buttonless vests were an excellent option for people like miners and farmers, who had to work long hours in dirty conditions. A vest absorbed sweat and other dirt, was easy to wash and didn’t take long to dry. It was also a very practical and inexpensive option to wear everyday. For a long time, such vests were associated with menial labor. However, it was not proper to appear in public wearing only a vest as they were considered to be cheap undergarments.

The First World War brought American and European soldiers in contact with each other. That was when the former noticed that the European soldiers stayed comfortable in a thin stretchable material which was ideal for hot days. It sparked the beginning of the t-shirt revolution. The word ‘ T-shirt’ was given because of the unique alphabet like shape that the garment had. The word was officially listed in the American dictionary by the 1920’s. This simple piece of clothing which resembled the initial vests worn by laborers was given a stylish touch on screen by actors like James Dean and Marlon Brando. There were plenty of angry protests as well, because people couldn’t accept the fact that their heroes were wearing ‘undergarments’ on screen. The t-shirt became a fashionable symbol for rebellious teenagers who often wore it with just a jacket. By the fifties, experiments with t-shirt designs and styles began in full swing. That was how various necks such as V neck, low necks and scoop necks evolved. Tie dying and screen printing were used on t-shirts in the sixties, and by then they had become a staple fashion item. Other forms of decorations and artwork such as airbrushing, appliqués and embossing soon followed.

T-shirts became a valuable mode of unique expression as well. A person didn’t have to say what he thought- the t-shirt he wore simply said it all. Various slogans, thoughts, sayings, and expressions of art began to surface on t-shirts. Designer labels sold hundreds of coloured t-shirts which simply featured their logos. Other brands followed suit and soon t-shirts became available in a wide range of colours, styles, patterns and even fits. T-shirts which glow in the dark, those which have a witty statement or an unusual graphic are still hot favorites even today. Prints of cartoon characters and movies are a big hit with children and teenagers as well.

The t-shirt which was first worn as an undergarment has traversed through time, to become a commonplace yet powerful piece of clothing. Its importance in fashion will never diminish but only grow stronger.