American T Shirt

by Ethan Cole
 
 

The American T Shirt is a symbol of the twentieth century and shows no sign of ever going out of style. Both young and old like the convenience and comfort of slipping on a T Shirt. It came into being around 1919, but became popular in the 1930's and 1940's. The American T Shirt was first worn as an under garment, and was especially favored by soldiers and sailors during World War II. After the war, people began to wear it more as a shirt.

In the 1950's, the American T Shirt achieved iconic status, when worn by James Dean and Marlon Brando. They gave the item its classic look of white T Shirt with blue jeans. Teenagers everywhere rebelled without a cause and aped the style. Over the years, the American T Shirt has evolved with the fashion of the time. Dyes of every color have been used to enhance the words, pictures and photographs on display.
 

The 1960's were a golden age for the American T Shirt, during the psychedelic, flower power days. Tie-dye and screen-printed designs were all the rage, in bright, bold colors. They advertised the music festivals and happenings of the day, with peace symbols, rainbows and flowers.

The American T Shirt has been used to voice political slogans, witty observations, and controversial opinions. It might be an attack on the ability of President Bush, or a declaration of how drunk you got the night before. The most bizarre use of the American T Shirt is probably the one showing an extract from the suicide note of rock star Kurt Cobain. Fans wore it like a funeral shroud.

The more common and mundane use these days, is simply to advertise the makers of the T Shirt. A vast portion of the population move around like advertising billboards displaying corporate logos such as Calvin Klein and The Gap. Rock bands use them to advertise their tours and albums. The American T Shirt is an important part of branding the product.

Every great event, company and holiday destination has its American T Shirt to promote it. A saying entered our vocabulary, 'been there, done that, got the T Shirt'. Everything from I Love NY to Make Poverty History. Today, the shirt takes many forms, using embroidery patterns, airbrush techniques and iron on transfers. It's possible to create your design, making your own unique garment.

Modern variations on the American T Shirt include cropped versions for the ladies, which only the young dare to wear, and the oversized T Shirt, (one size fits all).
Just like blue jeans, you can't imagine the modern age without this item.
Scan this article and print it on your T Shirt!