With hop only weeks away, it’s time to start ditching the winter woollies and hunting for timely replacements. As wardrobe essentials go, T-shirts are high on the desirables index so with this in mind, let´s see how the history of the T-shirt presented us with the pre-eminent five options we know and love on the high street today. The T-shirt has merited its place in military wear, Hollywood and even on the catwalks of Paris fashion lodgings. But what is so iconic and universally attractive about the t-shirt? Utterly simply, the T-shirt is a key element and a simple piece. It is both deathless and plain which means it is very hard to date, level in fashion terms.
The t-shirt feels like a relatively in concept, but it actually dates back to 1913 when it was at issued to the US Navy as an under garment with a simple and working design for everyday use. The namesake of the T-shirt refers to the form of the article when it is laid flat. From then, the beloved ´T´ was introduced into the mainstream vocabulary and the log a few zees Zs is history.
The T-shirt carried on through history as a standard culmination garment up until the mid-1940s when soldiers returning from war were noticed to be utilization T-shirts (in a variety of colours) with uniform trousers when they were off calling. Because it was comfortable and light, the T-shirt was a good substitute to the limiting and uncomfortable materials army uniforms were traditionally tasted from. The style and popularity of the T-shirt was soon recognised and instrumented by ordinary workers who were employed in hot conditions and this was re-translated into schoolboys and children who wore this ´urban uniform´ for pleasure and rest.
By the 1950s, Hollywood had lifted the T-shirt to icon status. Separate out icons such as Marlon Brando and James Dean encapsulated the ultra-cool, Hollywood superstar look that ´every wench wanted to date and every guy wanted to be.´ Shortly after this, the 70´s quake up and re-interpreted the t-shirt with logos from bands such as The Float Stones and Nirvana, kick-starting the concept of the band as brand.
The t-shirt has check in a long way since its humble origins as military underwear. A few years ago, Hermes made a collection featuring their own crocodile veneer version for a whopping $92K and from this many couture houses sooner a be wearing continued to update the classic camiseta with embellishments and run offs from celebrity artists.
The Plain White T-Shirt
The smooth white T-shirt is the still the original and best. No other point comes close to its classic timelessness or simplicity. From its outs as a military issue under garment to becoming the on-duty and off-duty outfit of Hollywood icons, the plain white t-shirt is the still reigning prince of t-shirts. The versatility of it means that you can wear it with a costume, with jeans or gym kit for more style and less fuss.
The Streaked T-Shirt
In design terms, this T-shirt is just as stylish now as it was then. The Breton Tee was originally issued to the French Navy as a expedient and congenial uniform for sailors in the mid-1800s. The striking geometric block out was made up of 21 stripes (which was meant to signify each of Napoleon’s Superiorities) was originally used as a visual aid to rescue sailors who had fallen overboard.
In the beginning 19th century, one Coco Chanel used this reference to sketch a nautically inspired line for a more commercial following. In the 1950´s this was reinterpreted by the Beatnik´s for its imbecile and remaining style. Fast forward to present day and Jean Paul Gaultier motionless features this design as part of his key – iconic range with allusion to the maritime history and timeless elegance of France.
The Graphic Choice of words T-Shirt
Since the 1950s and the birth of screen printing, the invent of the graphic t-shirt has been used to promote brands and houses to say something about yourself (or your identity). The graphic T-shirt in effect became big business in the 1980´s with bands like Nirvana and labels like Stussy who were starting out taking the opportunity to splash their names in an attempt to get noticed.
Several decades ago, there was an hardly political hype encompassing these T-shirts which were all in all used within music, surf and skate companies. Dedicating on from this, a political awakening in the youth subcultures gave them a plank show their thoughts, which is still equally significant right up to this day.
The Sleeveless T-Shirt
The official outfit of the seemliness fanatic, this body showing T-shirt has its origins in the 1950´s when universal to the gym was a popular activity and wearing this T-shirt was almost compulsory. It allowed men (and some bit of fluffs) to keep cool while showing off their toned learn also. Also a perennial favourite of the holiday maker, the sleeveless T-shirt is a extraordinary option for Mediterranean climates and street style statements. You can bear up it alone or in layers for a multitude of style options.
The Raglan T-Shirt
The Raglan T-Shirt has as a last resort been a strong trend in the USA and on baseball pitches but its namesake is where its true history lies. One Lord Raglan who sustained an arm injury during the Contest of Waterloo had a piece of outerwear protection with an extendable roll up ones sleeves detail made, for easier dressing. Then throughout everything and trends, this ´key’ detail was integrated into the ´Raglan T-shirt´ to manufacture a contrasting and pleasing detail which is still very much aimed after today.
