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History of The T Shirt

The t-shirt originated as an undershirt in the late 19th century when laborers and soldiers cut the sleeves off their undershirts to stay cool. It evolved into a lighter, mass-produced garment in the 1920s but remained an undershirt. In the 1950s, celebrities like Marlon Brando and James Dean popularized wearing t-shirts as outerwear, transforming the t-shirt business. Counterculture movements of the 1970s used t-shirts to convey messages, establishing them as a platform for expression. Today, t-shirts are a global fashion staple accepted from mass clothing to high fashion.

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166 views2 pages

History of The T Shirt

The t-shirt originated as an undershirt in the late 19th century when laborers and soldiers cut the sleeves off their undershirts to stay cool. It evolved into a lighter, mass-produced garment in the 1920s but remained an undershirt. In the 1950s, celebrities like Marlon Brando and James Dean popularized wearing t-shirts as outerwear, transforming the t-shirt business. Counterculture movements of the 1970s used t-shirts to convey messages, establishing them as a platform for expression. Today, t-shirts are a global fashion staple accepted from mass clothing to high fashion.

Uploaded by

Pig Bear
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The History of the T-shirt eslflow.

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Read the article and answer the questions.


Have you ever wondered how the t-shirt became such an iconic feature of global fashion and culture?
Originally designed as an undergarment, the t-shirt has transformed into one of the most popular and
practical items of clothing.
The origins of the t-shirt date back to the late 19th century, when
occupations such as laborers and the military would cut the sleeves off
their undergarments to keep cool in hot weather. The garment’s evolution
to a lighter weight knit fabric occurred during the 1920s. New knitting
technology meant that the t-shirt could be mass-produced in a more form-
fitting shape. Nonetheless, it continued to be seen as an undershirt.

The most dramatic transformation of the t-shirt began in


Hollywood. In the 1950s, Marlon Brando and James Dean
famously wore white t-shirts in Hollywood movies. The
popularity of the t-shirt as an outerwear garment
skyrocketed. Not only was the t-shirt as an outer-garment
becoming acceptable, but it was also, increasingly being
associated with an attitude of protest. And as the 1950s However, it wasn’t until the ’70s that t-shirts became
rolled on, a number of companies in Miami, Florida began the striking messaging platform that we know today.
experimenting with garment decoration. In addition, For this, we can thank counterculture movements such
wrinkle-free cotton-polyester t-shirts emerged in the as punk and rock music, and protests against the
mid-1960s to turbo-charge their acceptance as outerwear. Vietnam War. These social movements really helped
establish the t-shirt as a messaging platform.

By the 1990s the t-shirt had joined the ranks of high


fashion. Fashion designers began experimenting with
different styles of t-shirts, while adding artistic slogans.
Then, celebrities started wearing t-shirts to major
events. For example, the actress Sharon Stone wore a t-
shirt to the Academy Awards in 1996.

Today, the t-shirt is accepted as an essential item of global fashion culture. It transformed from an
undergarment to outerwear and from a mass market business to a fashion business. In fact, it's become
so pervasive, that it’s hard to imagine any wardrobe without a T-shirt.

1. What was the original purpose of the t-shirt?


_____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. When did the t-shirt become popular as an outerwear garment?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What happened in the 1950s to transform the t-shirt business?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
: How did t-shirts a powerful messaging platform?
4.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. How has the t-shirt transformed over time?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. In your opinion, what are some of the benefits of the t-shirt?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1. The original purpose of the t-shirt was as an undergarment.

2. The t-shirt became popular as an outerwear garment in the 1950s.

3. The t-shirt became more popular due to Marlon Brando’s and James Dean’s famous white t-

shirt scenes in popular movies. The t-shirt business was also transformed in the 1950s

when companies in Miami, Florida began experimenting with garment decoration.

4. 4. T-shirts became a powerful messaging platform in the 1970s when t-shirts with messages

and logos were worn by members of counterculture movements such as punk and rock music

and protestors against the Vietnam war.

5. The t-shirt has transformed from an undergarment to outerwear and from a mass market.

business to a fashion business.

6. Some benefits of the t-shirt are that it is comfortable, practical, and versatile.

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