Have you ever checked your wardrobe to see how many t-shirts you have? If you’re like me, and most of my friends, most of the clothes you have in your wardrobe are t-shirts (and jeans as well…but that’s another story), and your favourite t-shirts are the ones that are faded and starting to wear thin. Looking at all my t-shirts got me thinking about them. When was the t-shirt invented? How did it become popular? Why is it such a huge global trend? So I did some research…
T-shirts became common after World War II, as veterans wore their uniform trousers with t-shirts. But t-shirts took off in the 1950s after Marlon Brando wore t-shirts in A Streetcar Named Desire that showed how fashionable and cool they were, and that they were totally acceptable as outer wear.
In the early 1950s some companies based in Miami began to print shirts with resort names and characters as well. For instance one of the first was a company called Tropix Togs, who were later licensed to produce merchandising with Walt Disney characters that included Mickey Mouse and Davy Crockett.
In the 1960s the ringer t-shirt (rounded collar with ribbing) became a staple fashion for many young people and rock-n-rollers. T-shirts showing the Grateful Dead and Che Guevara also became popular, and later on in the 1970s there were happy face t-shirts and some showing the Rolling Stones ‘tongue and lips’ logo etc. And how about the ‘I heart NY’ t-shirt? Did you know that became a fashion statement after Don Johnson wore it under Armani suit in Miami Vice?
In the mid 2000s t-shirts became associated with protest messaging; with words and visuals displayed as a form of self expression. Now many of the today’s t-shirts celebrate music, art or are humorous. Many companies who want to advertise their brand or their services also put their logos and messages on their t-shirts. They are good promotional giveaways because they are inexpensive and give companies really get good visibility. I know that most of my friends would be quite cool wearing a trendy t-shirt that show iconic brands such as Coca Cola or Nike, but I don’t think many of us would wear something that says Best Auto and Mechanic Shop, for instance.
In the 1980s thermochromatic dyes were used to produce T-shirts that changed color when subjected to heat. And in the 1990s they introduced t-shirts that had digital media with flashing lights on them. The reason both didn’t catch on is because they don’t wash well…and we all know that t-shirts get pretty stinky.
So what’s the future for the t-shirt? Who knows. But one thing’s for certain, it has amazing staying power and that means that I can keep the ones in my wardrobe for a long time.
By Karam Bukair
