One of the most widely worn costume pieces in existence today is a T-shirt. Almost every single person has one or many of them in their closets. They are very easy to wear; they are soft against the skin; they create no pressure for any part of the body while worn (except for the neck). Today, we want to provide insight into the history, different types, and answer common questions about T-Shirts. We have compiled data from many different sources around the web in order to present a comprehensive overview of T-shirts from every angle imaginable.
What is a T-Shirt?
T-Shirts are a casual type of apparel typically made of soft fabric with short sleeves and no collar. The T in T-shirts stands for the shape they form when laid out flat - the body of the T-shirt and the sleeves of the T-shirt form a T shape (capital letter T). The neckline on a T-shirt is typically round and is often referred to as a “crew neck.” They are mostly constructed from either 100% cotton or a mixture of cotton. This is what makes T-shirts great for daily wear: they are soft and breathable.
History of the T-Shirt
The T-shirt has a long and interesting evolution. It has not always been viewed as a fashion choice; t-shirts are a relatively new addition to your closet that originated as undergarments to be worn underneath clothing.
Early Days: An Undershirt for Workers and Sailors
The first t-shirts originated in the 19th century. T-shirts were first produced as simple undershirts to keep workers and sailors comfortable underneath their other layers of clothing. The first t-shirts were typically made from heavyweight wool. The modern t-shirt was developed at the beginning of World War I. American troops were quickly introduced to lightweight (cotton) undershirts worn by European troops, and upon their return home, the American soldiers began wearing cotton undershirts as an alternative to their heavy wool uniforms. In 1917, the American Expeditionary Forces were one of the first to have access to high-quality, lightweight cotton undershirts available through French military supplies. Initially, T-shirts were intended for use as an undergarment (as the first thirty years of the 1900's demonstrated) and were primarily worn by men in the U.S. Navy.
The 1930s and 40s: From Underwear to Outerwear
The first printed T-shirts appeared around the 1930s, primarily aimed at college athletic teams. For example, a popular print shirt was created to promote the film The Wizard of Oz in 1939.
From 1939 to 1945, the military issued T-shirts to all American soldiers as an undergarment. This led to a small issue, however, since American soldiers' white T-shirts made them very visible to enemies during WWII. The Marines found a solution by dyeing their T-shirts with coffee grounds right on the battlefield,d and would later receive sage green T-shirts.
Once the soldiers returned to the United States from WWII, they began to wear their military-issued T-shirts as everyday clothing as well as traditional undergarments. A few of the early companies that helped promote this trend were Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, and Sears Roebuck. In fact, in 1938, Sears sold T-shirts for only 24 cents.
The 1950s: The T-Shirt Becomes Cool
During the 1950's, the T-shirt gained its “cool” status. The T-shirt transitioned into a symbol of rebellion from its original, simple use as an undershirt.
The two actors who made the classic white T-shirt famous were:
- Marlon Brando - 1951’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” where he wore a fitted white t-shirt.
- James Dean - 1955’s “Rebel Without a Cause,” where he wore an iconic classic white t-shirt with jeans.
After Brando and Dean showcased their versions of the classic white t-shirt, youth across North America began to emulate these individuals. Forecasts and trends indicated that the t-shirt had become a staple for all, not just for the Navy or the Army.
The 1960s and Beyond: A Blank Canvas for Expression
Printing technology went through another major transformation when Plastisol ink was created in the early 1960s. It’s an incredibly user-friendly ink, which means that anyone could use it to print their designs onto t-shirts, and it’s extremely resilient.
Because this ink was made available to the public through the development of screen printing, many young people began to wear "T" shirts with:
- Logos of Bands
- Political Slogans
- Humorous Quotes
- Souvenirs from Their Travels (Ex. - "I Love NY")
The T-shirt quickly transformed into an expression of one’s individuality without communicating through speech or voice. The invention of heat transfer printing in the 1970s enabled people to produce extremely detailed images on garments, like movie posters for Jaws and Star Wars.
As t-shirts became increasingly popular, even haute couture designers launched their own t-shirt line in the 1990s. In 1996, actress Sharon Stone wore a simple Gap t-shirt paired with a ball gown, ready for the Academy Awards. This illustrated how simple a t-shirt could be dressed up for any occasion.
The t-shirt has exploded onto the Fashion Scene as evidenced by the number of shirts sold – in 1985, approximately 500 million shirts were sold, and in 200,5 over 1 billion shirts have been sold; thereby making the t-shirt one of the largest fashion staples worldwide.
Types of T-Shirts
Many distinct types of t-shirt brands feature different styles or neckline variations. Here we’ll focus on two of the most common styles of t-shirts based on their neckline:
The Circle Neck T-Shirt:
It is often referred to as the crewneck or traditional t-shirt style. The circle neck fits nicely at the base of the throat; however, since it does not have any neck detail, it may be worn with just about anything. For most people, when they think of a t-shirt, the crewneck is likely what comes to mind.
The V-Neck t-shirt:
It is implied by the name; it has a front neckline that is in the shape of the letter V. V-necks can help give the appearance of a longer neck; therefore, these t-shirts may work well for gentlemen who desire a bit dressier appearance than a traditional or crewneck t-shirt would allow. Another significant characteristic of wearing a V-neck t-shirt is that it offers a display area of skin when the shirt is layered under a sweater or sports coat, and thus provides additional versatility to the t-shirt.
Various Styles of Graphic T-Shirts:
A graphic T-shirt is a best T-shirt that has designs, photos, or text printed on the garment. It is a popular form of self-expression. There is a graphic available for every taste, including graphics about bands/music, movies, humorous sayings, brands, and artwork. T-Shirts were made so popular through the invention of Plastisol Ink in the 1960s.
Garment Dyed T-Shirts:
The majority of T-Shirts are first cut and sewn using white fabric and then dyed one solid color. Garment dyed T-Shirts, however, are constructed first and then put into the dye bath as a complete garment. This process gives them a softer feel and a more unique color appearance, along with being a bit of a faded look and holding up better when being washed.
Types of T-Shirts (By Fit)
A T-shirt's fit means that it has been specially made with a particular design/cut to give it a good fit for someone's body shape/type. Type of fit:
Slim:
Slim-fit T-shirts fit the body without being skinny/baggy and give a sleek style; they're also suitable to be used underneath other clothing because they add bulk.
Regular:
Regular-fit T-shirts will be the biggest of all the types of T-shirts. They are loose-fitting and have lots of airspace between your body and the T-shirt. For most people/body shapes, they are most comfortable to wear daily and therefore suitable for going out.
Oversized:
Oversized T-shirts are very big; their sleeves/hem are longer than the sleeves/hem of a regular T-shirt. Oversized tees are widely popular as part of the current streetwear scene and can be worn casually.
T-Shirts vs. Other Tops
When people think of T-shirts, they often get confused with other types of tops or tank tops that look very similar. Here is an easy way to see the difference between t-shirts and polos.
T-Shirt vs Polo Shirt
The most obvious difference between the two is the collar. It has a round, V or U-shaped collar and is completely soft and requires no collar. So in other words, they are extremely casual. The polo shirt has a stiff collar with a few buttons (maybe 2 or 3) around the neck. Polo shirts are more formal than shirts, but still considered to be casual. You may wear a polo shirt to work on casual Fridays, or you may play golf while wearing a polo shirt.
It's designed for leisure activities, while a polo shirt is designed to provide an acceptable "smart casual" appearance when going out.
T-shirts vs. Shirts (Dress Shirts / Button Front Shirts)
The distinction between these two categories of clothing items is very significant. When someone uses the term "shirt," they are most likely referring to a dress shirt.
T-shirt: made from soft, knitted cotton. No buttons or collar, and can only be worn casually.
Shirt (Dress Shirt): constructed of woven fabric (like broadcloth or poplin). A dress shirt has a full-length button front closure, a stiff collar, and may also have button cuffs. Dress shirts have a more rigid structure than T-shirts and fit more formally than T-shirts.
To illustrate the point, a person would wear a T-shirt at the beach, a grocery store, etc., while a person would wear a dress shirt at a wedding, business meeting, or other fine dining events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answered of your most asked questions about T-Shirts.
What Does T-Shirt Stand For?
T-shirt is a name derived from the shape of the garment when lying flat (like the letter T). The body forms the vertical stem, and two sleeves form the horizontal bar of the T.
Are T-shirts unisex?
Yes, the majority of plain, basic T-shirts are unisex, meaning both men and women can wear them; they have a boxy and straight cut. However, many companies manufacture fitted T-shirts for women which are cut tighter through the waist and have shorter sleeves.
What are the fabrics used to construct a T-shirt?
The most common fabric used for t-shirts is cotton, due to its softness and comfort; however, there are many t-shirts made from a cotton/polyester blend. This blended fabric helps the shirt last longer by preventing it from wrinkling or shrinking. In addition, sports performance t-shirts frequently utilize 100% polyester because it dries quickly.
How are T-shirts different from shirts?
As stated previously, T-shirts offer a casual (no collar), pull-over style of clothing, whereas a "shirt" (a dress shirt) provides a more formal style (a button-up shirt with a collar). T-shirts have always been considered undergarments, and shirts were never considered to be anything other than outerwear.
What kind of T-shirt is the most popular?
The classic crew-neck, short-sleeve t-shirt is the most popular style of T-shirt. They can be worn with virtually any outfit, and they provide an extraordinary amount of comfort and style. Additionally, crew-necks have an infinite number of ways to be dressed up (with a jacket, tie, etc.) or dressed down (by wearing them with shorts, jeans, etc.).
Conclusion
The T-shirt has evolved significantly throughout history. Originally made from wool, the T-shirt started out as an undershirt for sailors. Soldiers returning home from combat brought them with them. Over time, the T-shirt became associated with movie stars (e.g., Marlon Brando and James Dean) and developed into a cultural icon representing “coolness.” The emergence of new printing techniques led to the use of T-shirts as a medium for artistic expression and as a means for expressing political statements.
Today, you can find it in every imaginable style (crew neck, V-neck, graphic), as well as fit (slim, regular, or oversized). You can wear T-shirts alone, beneath a jacket, or tied around your waist. T-shirts are the most common article of clothing worldwide, and even if you purchase either a 3-pair set of inexpensive T-shirts from Walmart or one designer T-shirt, the fundamental elements of the T-shirt remain unchanged; they remain comfortable, simple, and everyone who wears them should feel comfortable doing so.
