The short sleeves, collarless garment known as the t shirt, created in the 19th century, got its name from the shape that the garment takes when flat. As a piece of the standard uniform issued by the United States Navy in the Spanish-American War, the t-shirt has a reputation as an extremely comfortable garment, especially when worn by those in hotter climates. Other benefits of this new garment, which helped to cement its status as one of the most popular of all common clothing types were that these shirts were cheap to manufacture and purchase, were easily fitted and cleaned and could be worn in a variety of settings. By the time of the Great Depression of the 1920s-30s, the t shirt had taken its place as the go-to garment for young boys and all those who worked on farms and ranches, and all those whose jobs made them sweat. As time passed, t shirts had increased in popularity, with Marlon Brando’s donning of one in the 1951 film “A Streetcar Named Desire” finally giving tshirts status as an acceptable standalone shirt for people of all ages, regardless of employment.
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