What's the Tee

What makes a great tee shirt?  Is it the fit?  Is it the style or is it the comfort?  The classic tee has been around since the nineteenth century.  It  originated as a one piece undergarment that was then cut into two pieces,  a top and bottom.  It then became popular in the United States by the Navy during the Spanish-American war.  The cotton white crew necked short sleeved shirt was worn underneath the uniform.  When in battle during harsh climates the jackets were removed so that the tee  shirt would get soiled and not the uniform.  It really wasn’t until the movie A Streetcar Named Desire starring Marlon Brando that catapulted the white tee shirt into mainstream fashion.  It became a stand alone garment often paired with denim jeans.

The tee has been popular  in the Gay community for decades.  It has been the chosen shirt for many Gay men but why?  Is it the the way it hugs the body or is it a sign of masculinity?   When I think of a tee shirt in the Gay community  I think of Tom of Finland.  These are images of muscular men in tight jeans and tee shirts that leave you speechless.  Is there eroticism to a man wearing a tee shirt.  What do women think of a man in a tee shirt and how do we feel about a woman in a tee shirt?  When a woman wears a tee she is often showing off her best attributes in a sexy way as the muscle men who wear them.  I decided to do an impromptu poll to see what the public had to say.   It seems that both men and women love a good tee shirt and the way it looks, sexy.  It all depends on the fit and style of the tee.

I personally like just wearing a tee shirt sometimes.  It’s just easy to put on and these days a tee shirt can be fashionable.  I can remember a time when going out with just a tee shirt probably wasn’t the best move.  Times are changing and the tee shirt has gotten a good reputation.  Most designers have a wonderful array of tee shirts to choose from.  I recently bought a tee from Marc Jacobs.  I’m really addicted to his tee shirts.  I think this is my fourth shirt from him.  It has a great print on the front and they always make a statement.  Dress it up or down with the right accessories and shoes you can rock a good tee.

What does the future hold for the simple tee?  From being an under garment that no one saw to being a ready to wear item.  The tee shirt is here to stay.