Where Did Men’s T-Shirts Come From?

By far the most popular garment for the male sex is the classic men’s t-shirt. Everyone owns them and it’s hard to think of a time when they weren’t in production. Surprisingly, it wasn’t that long ago.

The first t-shirts that we know today started to appear in early 1913 in the United States. The US Navy was issuing them to all new recruits to be warn as undergarments. They served their purpose as protection from the bitter cold and as a step further from pneumonia if a sailor was to be caught in the icy sea. They were produced incredibly cheaply and easily and it wasn’t long before all of the forces were giving them out to new recruits as part of the standard uniform.

The Great Depression was a tough time for all American families and ways of dressing comfortably and cheaply were essential. It was not uncommon for men to wear t-shirts underneath their uniforms when working in factories and out on fields.

During the 1920s, US dictionaries had started printing the word ‘t-shirt’ and it became common in everyday language, even if everyone didn’t own one. It was no surprise that as the Second World War got closer, soldiers were once again issues with them as part of their uniform packs.

They became the cool, stylish item to have in the 1950's when Marlon Brando wore nothing but men’s t-shirts during the hit film ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. Everyone wanted one and this is when business minds realised that there was a market for them.

As the 60’s and 70s drew to a close, everyone wore t-shirts whether it was promotion of some kind, a slogan from a movie or a protest aid. Since then, men’s t-shirts have been common every day wear for men all around the world and the garment doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon.

To purchase your own piece of history, visit the Everything5Pounds.com website and browse the full selection of men’s t-shirts. http://everything5pounds.com