A T-shirt, or tee, is a style of fabric shirt named after the T shape of its body and sleeves. T-shirts are generally made of stretchy, light, and inexpensive fabric and are easy to clean.
Origins and Terminology
The letter “T” in T-shirt carries multiple meanings. One commonly accepted interpretation is that “T” stands for “tee” or “tee shirt.” The letter “T” represents the form of the garment when placed flat.
Originally, T-shirts were worn as undergarments during training. The first manufactured T-shirt was invented between the Spanish-American War in 1898 and 1913 when the U.S. Navy began issuing them. Though created early, the T-shirt was rarely worn openly until the mid 20th century.
Mass Production and Cultural Impact
Mass production of the T-shirt brought about by Fruit of the Loom meant the T-shirt was easily accessible, able to be fitted to a wide range of people and relatively inexpensive to produce.
The versatility and comfort of T-shirts have made them a wardrobe staple transcending gender and age. From slogans to logos, T-shirts continue adapting as a canvas for artistic expression and cultural identity.
T-Shirt vs Shirt
The primary distinction between a shirt and a T-shirt is that the shirt is formal apparel, and the T-shirt is casual clothing. T-shirts alone have at least 10 different styles and names.