T-shirts are considered a fashion necessity these days, though this wasn't always the case. Now a common part of the casual outfit, t-shirts can compliment a pair of jeans, layer with a sweatshirt or a sweater, or simply serve as nightwear. This evolution has occurred over a long period of time, starting with a big shift in thinking about what constituted fashionable everyday wear. To fully appreciate this shift in society's attitude to the humble t shirt it is interesting to look back at the origins and evolution of the t-shirt.

Tee shirts Way Back
As early as the Egyptian times, thinner tee shirts were used as clothing; however, the exact origin of the modern style of t-shirt is a bit of a mystery. There is one line of thinking that says that the t-shirt was created to be a buffer between the skin and the outer clothing around the end of the 19th century – becoming the first semblance of underwear of the time. The tee became the undergarment of choice for men and for women, helping to provide a comforting layer of protection from the scratchier materials, like wool and harsh cotton blends.

But it was really after World War Two, that the t shirt became hugely popular as a part of everyday clothing. Not only were veterans wearing the shirts after their tours, but regular civilians were also wearing a t-shirt for comfort and style. Pairing the t-shirt with a pair denim jeans became a truly global trend giving post-war teenagers and young adults a cool yet sophisticated casual look. Around this time tees began to be used to make political statements as they started being used in election campaigns to help promote candidates in a new way that was trendy, exciting and attention grabbing. With all this global headline grabbing attention the used to be hidden t shirt suddenly became an essential and provocative fashion accessory.

What’s the “T” in T-shirt about ?
So what is the “T” in t-shirt all about ? Just as with the exact history of the tee, this answer is a little unclear as well. The overall construction of the t-shirt is in the shape of a ‘t’ so this appears to be the obvious answer to the riddle. But others also wonder if the ‘t’ stands for ‘training’ as it gained popularity from its use as an excellent adaptable garment for soldiers in military training exercises.

T-shirts Styles Through the Years
While the exact origins of the t-shirt itself are not entirely clear, the tee shirt has continued to create its own illustrious story both as a high fashion garment and and essential day to day comfortable item of clothing. Once made of a lighter design, the tee shirt can now be found in a variety of colors and materials, ranging from cotton to polyester and even synthetic blends for athletic training. Short and long sleeve t-shirts are readily available in most retailers, while patterns and logos are also standard fare. T-shirts are worn today because of the logo, the message, the style and of course for that cool comfortable casual look. Tshirts are now worn as basic tops, with dress pants or jeans, underneath overalls and with skirts and shorts. These pieces of clothing are an incredibly versatile option to have in your wardrobe, as they can be appropriate for many occasions.

The price of a t-shirt can range from a euro up to many hundreds of euros for certain designer brands, making them accessible to every income range and at the same time remaining a highly prized luxury fashion item.

Though the true origins of the humble t-shirt may be shrouded in the mists of time, there is absolutely no doubt that the tee has had a huge impact on global fashion trends and that t shirts will continue to be a basic clothing necessity, a statement of your personal style and values, as well as a much desired high fashion item for decades to come.