From Underwear to Cultural Icon: T-Shirt Evolution 

Who first dawned the concept of a t-shirt with designs?  What was the use of the first t-shirt? How did we come to know and love our t-shirt culture of today?  Curiosity got this writer’s mind thinking.

The evolution of the t-shirt comes to be deeply intertwined with both military innovation and the rise of mass-market apparel companies. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the historical journey of our beloved t-shirt. 

Imagine a young artist painting pictures of the Swaar apple and pasting them on the cloth in 1851. She was hoping to draw customers' attention to the muslin shirts that were her favorites in her father’s store.  Her paintings became of great demand and she expanded to include Ne Plus Ultra wine making variety of grapes,  Non Such pears (really apples), Non Pareil cherries, and Seek No Further apples. Robert Knight, of Knights mill, was so impressed he commissioned Miss Skeel’s talents. In 1875 a combination of three fruits became the brand logo we still see today; Fruit of the Loom. As the t-shirt evolved, this company leveraged its expertise in cotton production to create t-shirts that balanced comfort with durability, contributing to the garment’s growing popularity. Below is an image of what could be one of Miss Skeel’s paintings.  It is on WikiMedia Commons and states the painting is from the Estate auction of Robert Knight.  

The t-shirt became a standard item for the U.S. Navy during the early 20th century. They needed a lightweight, breathable shirt that could serve as a base layer for soldiers. The simple, functional design of the t-shirt precisely filled that need .  After World War I and II, the t-shirt soldiers had come to respect and feel comfortable wearing while in the armed forces set the stage for its post-war transformation into a civilian staple.

Picture from Printful article section Birth of the Modern T-shirt

A company founded in 1901, and specialized in the niche of  underwear helped to establish the t-shirt as an affordable, everyday piece of clothing.  They were well positioned to use their established technologies to meet the demands for t-shirts for our returning veterans and later the general public. This company is one we still enjoy today; Hanes. 

Picture from Printful article section The 1950s: The t-shirt as a symbol of youthful rebellion...

In the decades that followed, companies like American Apparel and Gildan introduced new printing technologies and ethical manufacturing practices. Their innovations in digital printing and customization further established the culture staple of the t-shirt,  not just as clothing, but as a medium for artistic and personal expression.

The influence of the t-shirt in our daily life has been studied and chronicled as to the  transformation from a utilitarian undershirt into a cultural icon.  Articles can be found in the Smithsonian Magazine and The Guardian.  They explore how the t-shirt’s evolution reflects broader social and cultural changes in America.

Scholarly articles have been written focusing on pop culture exploring how t-shirts function as expressions of identity and resistance.  Media outlets have also looked at iconic moments. Moments when celebrities wearing plain or boldly printed t-shirts in films and on the streets helped transition the t-shirt from a mere piece of clothing to a statement of individuality and style.

Both Pictures are from Printful article section 1960- 1970s: Rise of the Graphic Tee

A quick summary of the evolution of our beloved t-shirt starts with an artist's design, combined with military practicality provided the foundation for its later rise in popular culture. Companies like Hanes and Fruit of the Loom were instrumental in making the t-shirt widely available, while later innovators refined both design and production methods. Influential articles and cultural studies help  us understand the t-shirt not only as a piece of clothing, but as a significant cultural artifact.

Be sure to visit us at t-shirtshop.us to see our collection of all original designs.  Printed on

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd.² (142 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, or the US