Have a look in anyones bureau (try when they're not looking) and lo and behold: a T-shirt. And typically, theres more than one. Theyre unstoppable and totally comfortable. Do you think by totally comfortable I mean totally or absolutely? Its a semantic game, to be sure, but as a purveyor of all things comfortable, I like to use all-encompassing and ridiculous words. By way of disclosure, I should say: I am an avid T-shirt collector and, on occasion, I do wear them. A lot.
To be perfectly honest, I dabble both in histrionics and history. With regards to the latter, Id like to dabble with the history of the mighty, mighty T-shirt. Brace yourself. Originally, this symbol of masculine prowess and the prompter of countless gun show shtick, was an Englishmans best line of defense in the war against that most improper of human functions: sweating. Yes, the T-shirt started as a pit stop. Now, mind you were talking about sometime in the 1880s. Very Victorian, no? But of course they didnt call it a T-shirt, opting for the terribly proper: under-vest. I say.
The popularly bandied about theory is that during WW2, the English introduced the under-vest to their American counter-parts, who, in turn, brought their under-vests home. I think this is questionable as I can wear Ive seen old movies with Clark Gable in a muscle T, washing his face or something. Anyone? Well, so the story goes the English gave us the T-shirt and we adopted the military designation for the shirt, which was training shirt. Get it? Training shirt became t-shirt. Im not buying it.
And so the plot thickens when the GIs bring the Ts home and start wearing them without the fuss and bother of a button down shirt or sports coat. Madness! Remember, were talking about the age of Brylcreem here. So, of course, what does every ad man dream of? Millions of miniature, walking billboards waiting to be emblazoned with a slogan. In fact, in the 48 election, both the Republicans and Democrats printed T-shirts with such winning slogans as "Dew it for Dewey and "I Like Ike." I do like Ike.
Behold: the birth of graphic Tees! Plain white T-shirts? Why? Slap something on it: pictures, slogans, cartoon characters, hand-written passages from Thus Spoke Zarathustra. O man, take care! What does the deep midnight declare? I was asleep" Anyone? Anyone? Anyway, follow the next fad to the T of your dreams. What do I care?
To be perfectly honest, I dabble both in histrionics and history. With regards to the latter, Id like to dabble with the history of the mighty, mighty T-shirt. Brace yourself. Originally, this symbol of masculine prowess and the prompter of countless gun show shtick, was an Englishmans best line of defense in the war against that most improper of human functions: sweating. Yes, the T-shirt started as a pit stop. Now, mind you were talking about sometime in the 1880s. Very Victorian, no? But of course they didnt call it a T-shirt, opting for the terribly proper: under-vest. I say.
The popularly bandied about theory is that during WW2, the English introduced the under-vest to their American counter-parts, who, in turn, brought their under-vests home. I think this is questionable as I can wear Ive seen old movies with Clark Gable in a muscle T, washing his face or something. Anyone? Well, so the story goes the English gave us the T-shirt and we adopted the military designation for the shirt, which was training shirt. Get it? Training shirt became t-shirt. Im not buying it.
And so the plot thickens when the GIs bring the Ts home and start wearing them without the fuss and bother of a button down shirt or sports coat. Madness! Remember, were talking about the age of Brylcreem here. So, of course, what does every ad man dream of? Millions of miniature, walking billboards waiting to be emblazoned with a slogan. In fact, in the 48 election, both the Republicans and Democrats printed T-shirts with such winning slogans as "Dew it for Dewey and "I Like Ike." I do like Ike.
Behold: the birth of graphic Tees! Plain white T-shirts? Why? Slap something on it: pictures, slogans, cartoon characters, hand-written passages from Thus Spoke Zarathustra. O man, take care! What does the deep midnight declare? I was asleep" Anyone? Anyone? Anyway, follow the next fad to the T of your dreams. What do I care?
About the Author:
The age of graphic Tees is upon us. Tremble with delight and revel in the multitude of choices that can adorn your fine garment. Call out to the heavens: graphic Tees!
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