Whether it is about trend and fashion, hoping for a revolution, or telling someone to lose your way, the t-shirt offers a personalized tactic to socio-political commentary and this is what has made this outfit so popular that we are celebrating its existence for 100 years.  Let’s have a look over the journey of T-shirt into the world of fashion. Being the fashion maven, I am extremely excited that this year we are celebrating the 100^th birthday of a classic fashion icon- The T-shirt. Yes, it has hit the century and with absolute certainty, I can say that people still adore this simple, comfortable yet stylist garment. It is clear that this simple garment has been around for lot of years and rose in admiration just when fashion was losing some of its starch. But, no one or very few among us might be knowing exactly when was T-shirt born. As far as anyone knows or most might be not certain with the fact that the modern white T-shirt came into use in 1913 when the U.S. Navy ordered for a “light undershirt”  as an underneath uniform wear for sailors. Since the 100 years, this classic item if clothing has taken on a cultural significance making them a casual trend piece even today. Cotton crew neck t-shirts then became a necessity garb in US. And later on by 1920, Merriam Webster’s dictionary welcomed “T-shirt” officially into the vocabulary.  Later in the year 1932, the football team of Southern California University, the Trojans, started using white t-shirts under their uniforms to prevent abrasion and chafing.  With the time, these t-shirts became the trend as students use to wear it casually around their campus. “They are trendy, simple and so durable,” utters Jonathan Dickerson, the marketing director of Point Breeze – founded clockwise tees.  With the changing fads and style, the designs that prints on the T-shirts changes with different trend, but the T-shirt is always a standby. To celebrate the 100years mark of t-shirt, Customink, a printing press based on North Virginia, launched a yearlong campaign, which includes a survey of Americans on their beloved tees. They created a birthday page and conducted social media activities to know viewpoint of tee overs. On this, Marc Katz, the Customink president uttered, “T-shirt is a great, simple clothing item. It was then actually taken it to another level of demand and popularity is custom T-shirts. This is one such source where people are able to express themselves. It is something that they can really do in an unique and influential way as opposed to other items” From promoting a favorite brand or to bring about a social cause- T-shirts have had a lot to express over the years, growing from practical to political.  It is a garment with mass influence and this is what makes them hugely popular. T- Shirts have played a long and vital role in pop culture.  The light fabric of t-shirt, its non-tailored fitting and transition from underwear to outerwear was appealing and groundbreaking.  Not to mention, stylish and sexy.

Great Moments in the History of T-Shirt

1913:

T-shirt was introduced to the word when the U.S Navy subjects crew-neck T-shirts to be garbed under their uniforms.

1920:

In this year, the definition of stylish t-shirt was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary

1932:

Due to the request made by well-known coach Howard Jones, the Southern California University printed “Property of USC” on the clothes of players’ to discourage larceny, which made students to steal them.

1934:

When Clark Gable revealed his bare chest by removing his shirt in the movie “It Happened One Night” and had no undershirt, it triggered a shift in the world of trend and fashion. Men began abandoning the requisite undershirt and sales of the lowly t-shirt plunged. They did not pull through until Marlon Brando put on the undershirt- t-shirt as his ONLY shirt. Since then the sales of t-shirts whizzed and rocketed. It never to dropped again even after 100 years.

1942:

This year made one of the earliest graphic t-shirt as July 13 cover of Life Magazine that featured the logo of the Air Corps Gunnery School

1950:

Mickey Mouse triumphs new pinnacles when a Miami-based T-shirt company named Tropix Togs, whacks him on a shirt. (Below :-A t-shirt from the 1950s)

1951:

It looks as if, though, that the sensual appeal of this shirt can be credited to the actor Marlon Brando – a golden Hollywood celeb who put on a well-fitting t-shirt in the very popular 1951 movie, named A Street Car Named Desire. Brando’s defiant character, both on and off screen, made this t-shirt quite more alluring that by the end of 1951, the sales of this classic t-shirt seemingly spiked approximately about US$180 million.

1969:

The multihued tie-dye t-shirts became the voice of fashioning era at Woodstock

1971:

This period came with comic t-shirt trend of rolling stones appealing lips-and-tongue graphic that appeared on the tees…

1991:

The hypercolor t-shirt, designed in past ’80s, achieved its all- time peak selling that crossed more than $50 million worth of t-shirts in four- month period.

2013:

T-shirt has been popular all over the world and fashionistas adore the unique designs printed in their t-shirt. Besides, it has reached 100^th year of popularity, style and trend! Now, it has come up with many designs, colors and patterns thereby making its place in every casual wardrobe. T-shirt with messages turned as a source of media in year 2013 These days, people not only buy the one from shops, they love getting their t-shirts personalized.  To celebrate the 100 years of t-shirt, I got a personalized t-shirt for my niece last month on her birthday. So, how are you going to celebrate the 100^th birthday of t-shirt?