Dolce & Gabbana Bottega Veneta Frankie Morello Trussardi Gaspard YurkievichThe T-shirt has evolved from an undergarment to a contemporary wardrobe staple, and continues to mature withnew draping techniques and ever more refined jerseys. Current collections and retail offerings reflect its century-old history, evoking WWII graphics, mid-century heartthrobs and antique underwear. From classic white versionsto graphics that fill its wearable canvas, the T-shirt!s possibilities are endless.1900s 1910s 1910Precursing the T-shirt, the Henley stretches far back into the 19th century as the standard undershirt for men.Early photography of stripped-down manual laborers immortalize its rugged, masculine good looks. As the T-shirttook hold in the 1930s the Henley fell out of favor, returning in the 70s with patterns and contrast piping. With current interest in antique heritage menswear, the traditional underwear-style Henley reemerges and inspiresnew versions, complete with worn edges, vintage-y jerseys and deep rib-trim cuffs.190119101910s 1920Sports like track and boxing developed at the turn of the century, spurring the emergence of the tee worn on itsown. While they may have begun as repurposed undershirts, by the 20s manufacturers were making activeweartees specifically for athletes. As amateur and professionalsports evolved, the T-shirt remained a key activewearitem. Early photos show a variety of short-sleeved and tank styles; necklines included wide scoops, cut-in racerstyles, high- vees and turtlenecks.1950s1944 1920s1914-1918 1902The underwear tee remained an integral men!s undergarment throughout the 20th century and continues today.The T-shirt rivaled the Henley after WWI; soldiers began to opt for easy pullover styles rather than complicatedbutton plackets. WIth the rise of sportswear in the 20s, the tee became more streamlined and easy the tight,ribbed cuffs present on the henley and early tees were eliminated.1940s c. WWII1940s c. WWII1940s c. WWII 1940s c. WWIIWWII soldiers brought the tee out from under. The photographic coverage of WWII showed soldiers, whether dueto heat or not wanting to soil their uniform shirts, in their undershirts. The patriotic fervor surrounding the waridealized these photos, and helped T-shirts crossover from underwear to sportswear separates. The T-shirt andgraphic T-shirt became symbols of the American soldier.1938Hadfield Group 1920s 1930s 1940s Life Magazine 19421950s 1950s 1950s 1950sThe root of graphic tees goes as far back as the 1890s when early sports teams put emblem appliqus on theiruniform shirts. Printed T-shirts of the 1930s had painterly ink images that contrast with the sharp precision oflater silkscreen printing processes. WWII base camps printed tees for soldiers. By the late 40s-early 50s, several companies in Florida began to screen print souvenir tourist tees for WaltDisney and others this is why early graphic tees usually have a tropical or resort theme.Marlon Brando 1950s James Dean 1950s Steve McQueen 1960s Robe Lowe 1989Iconic, mid-century hearthrobs cemented the T-shirt!s status as an essential menswear piece to be worn on itsown. Marlon Brando!s tight tee in A Street Car Named Desire (1951) came first, followed by The Wild One in1953. The white-tee-and-jeans ensemble was an instant trend and continues to this day. Snug and sexy fit wasessential, furthered by Brando!s contemporaries James Dean and PaulNewman, and later by Steve McQueen inthe 60s and Rob Lowe in the 80s.19481950s1946 1950sThe success of Brando!s T-shirt and jeans ensemble resonated with 1950s youth. Guys shed their button-fronts,revealing undershirts. Companies like Hanes released new styles and colors with added rib features and chestpocket details. Notice the shrunken fit of the short sleeves, a look that designers are replicating today.1930s 1940s Vogue Knitting 1954 Pablo Picasso c. 1960sThe striped Breton tee, worn by French civilian fishermen, became popular around the 30s as a resort or boatingshirt. As T-shirts evolved, it was the first pattern option, often in a ringer style with ribbed neck and armbands insolid blue. In the late 60s to 70s, the striped T-shirt expanded to include new patterns, moving away from classicthe Breton matelot.1970sMick Jagger 1972 John Lennon 1960s 1960s 19831970s 1968 1989 1980sIn 1959, the invention of super-durable, stretchable Plastisol ink spurred a new world of possibilities for teegraphics, giving birth to the concert T-shirt. Photorealistic printing and glitter transfers became popular in the 70sand 80s. Tees with punky graphics from 80s bands are valued vintage items and continue to inspire imagery.1910 1942 The Wild One 1953 Peter Fonda 1973The ringer tee emerged during the 1910s with runners and cyclists. Contrasting ribbed bands at the neck andarms were intended to soak up extra sweat. In the 50s, this added function attracted the style-conscious crowdand became iconic on Marlon Brando in The Wild One. Combinations of colorful graphics and matching rib trimmade the ringer T-shirt a 60s and 70s fashion craze.George Best 1970s Herbert Huncke 1980s 1980s19771980sThe late 70s saw the rise of T-shirts as a form of personal expression. Beyond bands and brands, noveltygraphic tees said something literally. Logos became prominent, as did wordplays on brand names. Iron-onletters and heat transfers made everyone a D.I.Y. T-shirt designer. In the early 80s, London designer KatharineHamnett launched the trend for oversized printed slogans that continues to this day.1940s Paul Newman 1950s Robert Mapplethorpe 1979 Keanu Reeves 1990sClassifications > Plain White Tee | Classifications > Standard Issue Tee | Classifications > Striped | Must Haves>The Basic Tee | Must Haves >The Basic Knit | Global Streets > Crew Team | Fashion Week Streets > In VogueImages