Essential, the t-shirt has stood the test of time with its timeless design and endless variations. Today it is found in every wardrobe on the planet. The one whose name (not really original) means "T-shaped shirt" has established itself in our wardrobes and in our hearts over the years. First hidden under our clothes, it is now proudly displayed and has even become a fashion icon and a real means of expression.
The birth of the t-shirt
The t-shirt made its first appearance in the early 1910s, during the First World War.
The American soldiers of the US Navy had as their uniform undershirts often made of wool which made them sweat a lot and took terribly long to dry. Unlike them, the French soldiers wore long-sleeved cotton underwear, comfortable to wear every day, resistant and very easy to wash (hello sailor!). The US Navy is inspired by it and then adopts a top with short sleeves and round neck knitted in light cotton which becomes the regulatory uniform.
At the beginning of its creation, the T-shirt is therefore an undergarment. Its use is purely functional because it responds above all to the technical needs of men in the field. It was inconceivable to go out in a t-shirt at the time! Imagine yourself in the office with nothing but panties... It was not until the early 1930s, with the influence of sport and cinema in particular, that the T-shirt was accepted as a garment in its own right.
The success of the t-shirt
The t-shirt invites itself on the football fields
It is first of all thanks to sport that the t-shirt knows its rise.
In 1932, football coach Howard Jones asked Jockey International Inc. to create a sweat-wicking jersey (yes, it still comes back to the same problem). The t-shirt is thus adopted by their football team and quickly becomes fashionable among students who wear it as a sign of rebellion. It was so popular that thefts increased and the university decided to print "Property of USC" on it to clearly show that the t-shirts belonged to the school. Was this the beginning of the personalized t-shirt?
The American army having greatly contributed to the democratization of the wearing of the t-shirt, the Sears brand created a model in 1938 which they called the "gob shirt" ("gob" meaning navy sailor) which can be worn in undershirt or alone as a complete outfit. His slogan ? “You don't have to be a soldier to have your own tshirt! ". Marketing level they understood everything, the model is a hit.
The rising star of Hollywood cinema
The t-shirt arrived on film sets in the 1950s. The biggest stars of the time wore it in their films, such as Marlon Brando in the famous "A Streetcar Named Desire" or James Dean in "La fureur de vivre" . The productions bet on the t-shirt for a casual, almost bad boy look that highlights the muscular arms and torsos of the actors who are already making the world dream. The Tshirt then becomes the cool garment par excellence and the star of the male dressing room, these gentlemen perhaps hoping to have the same sex appeal as their idols or at least the same style.
More than just a garment, a communication tool
In the 1970s, wearing a t-shirt was no longer really considered an act of rebellion for young people who wanted to assert their personality and display their differences. And this is where textile personalization comes in! The cotton knit and the emblematic simple cut of the T-shirt make it a perfect support for personalization. It allows the t-shirt to become the means of expression for an entire generation.
It includes his musical tastes, his political aspirations, his sexuality, his best joke, the name of his pony but also his advertising messages. Companies and brands print their logos and slogans and use t-shirts as billboards. The message t-shirt is becoming a tool for creation and expression that individuals are snapping up and an excellent means of communication for professionals who are discovering the effectiveness of promotional textiles.
The evolution of the t-shirt: what has become of it?
The t-shirt has established itself and gone beyond its simple function. Today, all brands have their own range, branded or blank, and are constantly innovating by reinventing cuts and bringing new colors and printing processes. From the basic white round-neck or V-neck t-shirt to the loose-fitting patterned t-shirt, this product has long been worn for its technical characteristics and has become an essential accessory available in all styles and for all tastes.
The current trends are for oversized models and Tie & Dye colors of the 90s with a real penchant for vintage and faded hues. The market is increasingly turning to more sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester and Tencel spun from wood fiber in order to produce eco-friendly t-shirts and reduce the impact of the textile industry. on the environment.
A key piece in our wardrobes, the T-shirt has become a real means of expression and allows everyone to convey their message. To assert yourself, to differentiate yourself, to make yourself known or to spread your ideas, the t-shirt is the versatile garment par excellence!
