We wear them all the time, and yet don’t know much about its history. Have you ever asked yourself what a Tee shirt is, or where the idea for this cloth garment for the upper body came from?
We all know it is a casual top, short-sleeved and that resembles a T when it’s laid out flat. But, did you know the Tee shirt was originally made of cotton? This material –probably the most comfortable to wear, ever– is still being used to produce Tees, and you can still buy them in bulk because the technology to produce it has changed (and not to mention, it is so light-weight). Moreover, the image that accompanies today’s Tees is a far cry from its beginnings. It was considered, after all, a simple undergarment.
Before Bulk T Shirts
In the 19th century, a single garment made of cotton, flannel or wool, called a “union suit” or long johns, appeared in 1868 in the United States. They were originally intended for women who wanted to be liberated from the restriction of the typical female undergarments. It went out of fashion, and it later was embraced by men. When cut into two, it became a two-piece garment that became popular among stevedores and miners. A series of buttons allowed the wearer to wear the garment as a single or as two separate pieces.
The top was adopted as part of the US Navy issue around the time of the 1898 Spanish–American War. The design was simple: short-sleeved and crew necked. The material chosen was cotton. It fitted easily under a uniform. At the same time, it was less expensive and more practical to let the cotton undershirt become dirty. As a result, sailors and work parties chose to take off their jackets when performing physical and filthy work.
After 1913
By 1913, the model of the US Navy had been adopted by football players for the University of Southern California. They wore them under their uniforms to prevent the chafing caused by the heavy and rough shoulder pads. This might have been an early instance of bulk T shirts being purchased as the popularity of the Tees created a crime wave. Students stole the popular Tees. This resulted not only in purchasing many replacements, but also the stenciling of the words: “Property of USC.”
From 1913 onwards, the Tee shirt became the lower layer of clothing worn by the working class. This included male children. As an inexpensive item of apparel, if it could not take the wear and tear of play and work, it could be easily and inexpensively replaced. This applied for factory work and farm labor, where the hot conditions demanded less clothing, but the morals of the time demanded the chest and upper torso be concealed.
The popularity of the Tee shirt eventually led to the inclusion of the word in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. T-shirt was soon part of the English lexicon and a common item in the casual wardrobe of veterans following the end of World War II. It had, after all, appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine during the war. This was a T-shirt worn by the Air Corps Gunnery School.
The end of the WWII also saw the T-shirt featuring familiar cartoon characters – specifically Mickey Mouse. It also appeared in one of the most famous or at least iconic movies – A Streetcar Named Desire. Marlon Brando wore one and, after that, it became acceptable and very cool to wear one as an outer garment. It was “sexy” and rebellious – an image that was continued when James Dean wore one in another classic movie Rebel without a Cause. The result of this teen idol sporting one was the production of T shirts in bulk. In fact, sales that totaled $180 million after Streetcar continued to climb.
The Rebellious 1960’s and Commercial 1970’s
In the 1960’s, T-shirts became a means of self-expression. They also began to advertise and acted as souvenirs. This form of wearable art became increasingly common. Warren Dayton created the first pop-culture Tee when he reproduced images of Cesar Che Guevara and Cesar Chavez. These grabbed the minds of the politically and socially active. Album cover art also made its appearance on Tees and companies quickly moved to provide them in Bulk. T shirts of the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, and the Rolling Stones were seen everywhere, frequently following or just before concerts, proving to be excellent promotional tools.
One of the designs that had “legs” proved to be a simple one. It was created by Milton Glaser in 1977 for the advertising firm of Wells Rich Greene. The purpose was to come up with a logo for New York State. His efforts were to result in bulk T shirts rolling off the production line, not only in New York but across North America. Glaser came up with the now legendary “I (heart symbol) New York” campaign.
From its inception as an undergarment, the simple T shirt has evolved into apparel that is worn for many different occasions. It has gone from being for the working class, to being embraced by all classes. It was once covered up – hidden from view; but today it is not only worn overtly, it is flaunted. From simple production methods, bulk T shirts now make their way out of factories and into the hands of fans at games and concerts, as well as to people who wear them as part of their everyday attire.
Bulk T Shirts do not have to be of low quality and poor design. At One Hour Tees, we offer you with a high quality product that meets your needs. Whether you want a single T, or are seeking to outfit a group, our printing services can help you with the type of T you and your team can be proud of wearing anywhere, anytime, and anyplace. To discover more about who we are and what services we provide, visit us online at website url.
