The Origins of the T-Shirt

If prehistoric men had been able to grow cotton and knew how to weave, it's a safe bet that they would have covered their nakedness with a T-shirt (and underwear, of course...).

But what's the real story?

Do you know the origin of this iconic garment that, in all situations, everywhere, is THE essential star of our wardrobes?

Adopted by all generations, it comes in as many variations of shapes, colors, and materials... But above all, it is THE garment par excellence.

The American Army: Back to the origins....
Due to its qualities, the T-shirt is much more hygienic, lighter, and more comfortable worn directly on the soldiers' bodies than their wool clothes.

It absorbed perspiration and was less expensive than washing American soldiers' uniforms.

In any case, it was the GIs who spread the wearing of T-shirts in Europe during World War II.

A real garment or an accessory for expression?
It truly became an icon in the 1950s.

It became a star, worn by leading figures like Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Steve McQueen, who gave it a rebellious connotation.

Then Woodstock and tie-dye in psychedelic colors took the world by storm...

In the 1970s, the T-shirt lost its appeal among younger generations, considered no longer revolutionary enough.

It then became an accessory for expression: the designs used were for humor, to convey various messages, or to express one's opinion or belonging to a community.

But in fact, it turns us into fans of brands, tourist spots, and music groups: into walking billboards!

T-shirt, what is it?
The word entered the Merriam-Webster dictionary in the 1920s: "an undergarment, usually cotton, collarless, and short-sleeved."

Originally, T-shirts were made on circular looms producing tubes. They therefore had no side seams.

Most of today's production, on the contrary, consists of a front and back sewn together.

Its "T" shape led to the name "T-shirt," literally: T-shaped shirt.

Today, we have inherited V-necks or crew necks, long or 3/4 sleeves, but not necessarily in cotton.......

Gone are synthetic materials, uncomfortable, distorting when washed, and sometimes even fading!
More than half of the clothes sold on the market are not worn enough and are quickly abandoned because they do not correspond in terms of cut, color, quality, durability, and production ethics.