If history has taught us anything about fashion it is that it is cyclical. What was in style 50 years ago is likely going to come back around eventually. When the T-shirts originally came on the scene approximately 95 years ago, it was considered to be a standard issue uniform for the U.S. Navy. Who could have thought that it would soon become an influencing part of our culture, as well as society, in so many ways? Ranging from a symbol of self expression, to walking billboards and advertising vehicles, these staples of our society have changed over and over again from one generation to another. Here are some of the historical high points and low points.

One of the most dangerous and unpleasant duties was being assigned to serve on a submarine. The type of quarters combined with the overwhelming heat would make the temperatures inside the vessel the climb well over 125°. The Navy started issuing these sailors T-shirts as part of their standard uniform.

The next milestone in marking the evolution of the tee shirt is when it starts to become accepted by the civilian population and worn by both men and women as part of their everyday wardrobe. It wasn’t long before it was accepted as a good option for the hard-working individual. It was light weight as well as durable. The fact that it was made of cotton made it absorbent as well as breathable.

Kids go the the movies and start to see their favorite actors all wearing the same thing. Naturally they want to emulate these movie stars and dress like they do. They start hanging around the malt shop with a cigarette hanging out of their mouths while wearing a “wife beater”.

Next came Vietnam along with long hair and the hippie movement. Kids started to tie-dye their garments with psychedelic colors. Politicians started to put their messages across the front like walking billboards. You started to see political messages screen printed across the front of tank tops and sleeveless apparel started to emerge onto the scene.

The common person is now using T-shirts as a vehicle for free speech and self-expression. Remember the smiley face? Or the part that said “I Indianapolis”? Young entrepreneurs started clothing lines as they recognized how marketable these were. Television shows, such as Happy days and Miami Vice, made a huge fashion statement which impacted not only the USA, but the entire world.

Technology advances at an alarming rate and along comes the invention of the computer as well as the Internet and changes the world forever. With information crisscrossing across the planet with the speed of light, conventional screen printing companies, as well as digital, allows for mass production as well as quick efficient turnaround time giving the end-user endless options of various styles

and colors.

Please give us a call for your custom embroidery, custom silk screening, or digital printing needs for you or your company/organization in Indianapolis. Whether you need custom t-shirts, jackets, polos, caps, or any type or wearable garment, we want to hear from you. We have a vast catalog to choose your blank goods.

Have a great day.