First used as underwear, it was not until it crossed paths with Navy soldiers and Hollywood movie stars that the T-shirt became the icon we know. A true Swiss Army knife of style, it is now THE essential piece of clothing. The T-shirt , which simply means "T-shaped shirt", has survived fashions and eras, with its timeless design and comfortable material. To celebrate the arrival of spring, and also (especially) our new collection of T-shirts, the Hast teams invite you to a little retrospective on its history. A look back at a success story that has never been equaled.
The T-shirt… was first an item of underwear
As strange as it may seem today, the T-shirt was originally an item of underwear and was therefore not considered a separate item. While several hypotheses have been put forward to explain its appearance, we would have to go back to the Middle Ages to discover the first traces of the T-shirt. Made of woven cotton or linen, it was worn as an underlayer of clothing. During the 19th century, the T-shirt underwent significant developments and was designed in larger quantities, thanks in particular to technological advances in weaving. It was at the end of the century that it took off with the soldiers of the British and then American Navy, who incorporated it into their regulation uniforms. Easy to produce and very comfortable, the T-shirt was first and foremost used for purely hygienic and functional purposes.
The T-shirt, from the army to Hollywood, a paradigm shift
So how did the T-shirt go from being a simple piece of underwear to the symbol of an entire generation? Quite naturally, after the war, American soldiers abandoned their uniforms but kept the habit of wearing a T-shirt. It was then adopted in the world of sport in the 1930s, before arriving on film sets. The biggest stars of the time began to wear white T-shirts , expressing a form of virility that was previously unknown. How could we forget Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire in 1951 ? The cut was adjusted and its shape became the symbol of a radiant and rebellious youth. The myth was born.
The T-shirt as a tool for self-affirmation
Following its momentum, the T-shirt became completely democratized, all over the world, from the 70s with the arrival of new cultures, such as rock music or hippie fashion. Exit the basic white T-shirt: the customization of textiles allows to renew the codes, the shapes and the colors, to the point of imagining infinite variations. The printed T-shirt becomes a means of expression, a way to affirm one's tastes or one's belonging to a group. Very quickly, brands seize the trend and offer T-shirts signed with a logo or a slogan. An ultra-efficient communication tool, the T-shirt invades the wardrobe.
What about the T-shirt today?
A casual piece par excellence, the T-shirt can be worn every day but also goes perfectly with a more formal style or a suit. The world of luxury has also quickly seized on it and the T-shirt regularly appears on the catwalks, highlighting its iconic status in the same way.
Tell me what t-shirt you're wearing and I'll tell you who you are
Today, there are an infinite multitude of T-shirts, to choose according to your preferences. V-neck, round or crew neck? Patch pocket on the front? Sleeve cuffs? Loose or fitted?: the T-shirt comes in different neckline shapes, sleeve lengths, materials or cuts.
At Hast, while we obviously have unconditional love for the T-shirt, we also believe that its future depends on more responsible production. That's why, for the new season, we invite you to discover our GOTS-certified organic cotton T-shirts or those made from a linen and cotton blend. Very light, in sunny shades, they will follow you on all your summer adventures.
