Cut from the same cloth: a brief history of the T-shirt
T-shirts are a proven way to make a provocative statement, but which ones are the most iconic and what do they say about the humble wearer?
It’s not often that a completely new piece of clothing comes along, which is what happened with the jersey 40 years ago. When James Dean and Marlon Brando wore T-shirts as outerwear, it was fake and looked just as bad as wearing boxer shorts over pants. Iconic photos of the American soldier during World War II were leaked, and in an instant, Hollywood transformed the way the garment was worn and changed attitudes towards the T-shirt. Over the years, the T-shirt was approximated as a walking billboard, announcing the wearer’s affiliations or views, or simply what the latest fashion was.
Today, the T-shirt is worn in many provocative, innovative and controversial ways, whether as a social statement or to boost sales of rock band merchandise – its uses are endless. But what do the different shirts say about the people who wear them?
Frankie Say Relax T-shirt
Another ’80s phenomenon, originally engineered by Katharine Hamnett but appropriated by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, became ubiquitous in the UK during the summer of 1984, mainly because the BBC banned the song from radio and the ‘terribly rude’ video on television. This only increased the band’s sales and bad boy credentials. People buy these shirts less for the original political reason, more to dress like 80s fans at costume parties.
What it says about the user: Hey, I remember the 80s, it’s all about being ironic mmm’kay? Great t-shirt though. Currently the latest celebrity craze, with one of the Olsen twins ‘spotted!’ wearing one in celebrity magazines.
Hitler European Tour T-shirt
A mock-up color map of Hitler’s 1939-1945 European tour, or as it is better known, World War II, with canceled dates in England. Is this a bit close to the bone, considering the horror of the Holocaust? I guess this all depends on the nature of the person wearing it, as people wear t-shirts with some very strange designs, but it may be that Nazi scum hijacks them and misinterprets the message, which is ultimately failure. of hitler. defeat the civilized world.
What it says about the user: Hey, I’m controversial!
Ross Brigade T-shirt
The Red Army Faction, a Marxist-Leninist group whose goal was to separate Italy from the Western Alliance. An ultra-left group, the Red Brigades, made their mark on the Italian political scene of the 1970s and 1980s, growing out of the student protest movement of the late 1960s, advocating violence in the service of class struggle, and the revolution and the group’s attacks targeted symbols of “the establishment” such as trade unionists, politicians and businessmen. Ugh, heavy stuff, but not too much for The Clash’s Joe Strummer, who was a die-hard fan and was therefore seen wearing the T-shirt onstage.
What it says about the user: I like The Clash. It’s one of those shirts that has a hidden “cape”, which the wearer wears it on knowing that only true Clash fans will recognize the depth of their fandom. I’m pretty sure they don’t support the Red Army Faction.
Wham Choose Life T-shirt
Another retro 80s t-shirt designed by Katharine Hamnett, originally the slogan came from a Buddhist display but it was worn in the early 80s and was aimed at suicide and drug addiction but Wham stole it for his super camp” Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”. ” video.
What it says about the wearer: Originally, I guess it’s about positivity, but again these days it’s about the costume party. WE GO!
So there you have it, a snapshot of some of the t-shirts making the rounds on the internet, if there’s one thing that can be said about t-shirt wearers it’s that they’re always individual, and nothing is taboo if it’s on the front of your chest! !
Here’s a quick look at the current top ten online sellers (this information is taken from the 8ball web store).
1. Goonies Girls T-shirt – Never Say Die Jr
2. Hitler’s 1939-45 European Tour T-shirt
3. Anchorman t-shirt-sexual panther
4. Youth Sonic T-shirt – Goo
5. Thin Lizzy Logo T-Shirt – Black
6. 24 – Bauer CTU T-shirt
7. Frankie Goes To Hollywood Girls T-Shirt – Relaxed
8. Frankie Goes To Hollywood T-Shirt – Relaxed
9. Beatles T-shirt – Drum & Bass
10. Team A Jersey: Bullets Logo