34 Part 1 Apparel and Fashion From Humble T-Shirt to Fashion Statement From its humble beginnings, the T-shirt has morphed into a canvas for designers. It has gone from an affordable undergarment to a vehicle for advertising. Where and when did it all begin? Though no one knows for certain, the U.S. Navy might deserve the credit. In 1913, a crew- necked, short-sleeved, white cotton undershirt was designed to be worn under the Navy’s deep, V-necked collared shirt. Because of its shape, it was called a “T”. It wasn’t until the late 1930s that companies including Hanes, Sears, and Fruit of the Loom started to market the shirts. In 1938, Sears proclaimed that the undershirt could also be worn as an outer garment. During World War II, the short-sleeved T-shirts gained popularity among soldiers because of their greater absorption under the arms and comfort under backpacks. Soldiers often wore them as outer garments. When the soldiers returned from the war, the shirts came home with them. The T-shirt gained popularity in the 1950s when Marlon Brando wore one in the movie classic A Streetcar Named Desire and James Dean in the movie Rebel Without a Cause. Walt Disney was one of the fi rst people to see the marketing value of T-shirts when he began having letters and simple designs printed on the shirts for souvenirs. With the 1960s came the popularity of tie-dyeing among hippies, and T-shirts were easy to buy and dye. Improvements in printing and dyeing in the ’70s allowed graphic images to be printed on shirts. Rock bands and performers sold T-shirts with their images on them. The era of message T-shirts had begun. Corporations also found a new way to advertise. Imagine a walking billboard! Enter the era of the fashion statement. When Sharon Stone paired a black T-shirt with an Armani skirt for the Oscars in 1996, the garment had truly arrived. T-shirts today come in different weights, colors, and styles. Sometimes they are plain and sometimes they have embellishments. People layer them with other T-shirts or wear them under various garment styles. No matter how people wear them, they have become a staple of most everyone’s wardrobe. The T-shirt has truly become a classic. Highlights in History Shutterstock The clothes you choose may be completely different than those of the per- son sitting beside you. Your friend may need hiking boots, but you might not need them if you never go hiking. Some people do not need dressy or fancy clothes. Casual clothes and jeans are acceptable for the parties and events they attend. Other people who go to many events at their places of worship and elsewhere need several dressy outfi ts. Compare the people in 1-8. They have planned different activities, so they have chosen different clothing. They are all suitably dressed for what they will be doing.