At the beginning of the 20th century, the t-shirt was mostly worn under the clothing. It was generally the marines of the US Navy that contributed to the popularity of the t-shirt. In the 20s, some men started to where it as outer clothing. The white cotton t-shirt was very fitted and had a flared collar, but the vast majority of them remained a functional garment. Going out on the street in a t-shirt was like walking around in your underwear and socks!
It took the 50s, with actors such as Marlon Brando, James Dean or Steve McQueen, to make t-shirts more rebellious and seductive. The t-shirt was still made of white cotton, with body-fitted fit, very short sleeves, and more or less round neck cut. The t-shirt began to "demilitarize" with the hippie movement of the 1960s, notably through the technique of tie dye. It was also during this period that the graphic t-shirt appeared to become a medium of self-expression.
In the decade that followed, the t-shirt was used as a mode of communication. Logos such as "I❤️NY" (1977) and the tongue of the Rolling Stones are born. In the 80s, screen printing on oversized t-shirts revisits hippie messages. The t-shirt is meant to be disproportionately large with long sleeves, often up to the elbows. This trend also marks the 90s—remember the Friends series.
It was not until the beginning of the 21st century that the t-shirt became more fitted and more sober again. Today, we have totally democratized the t-shirt. It is worn, sometimes fitted, sometimes oversized, plain or printed, during the week and on the weekend, but always tasteful. From jeans to evening skirts, it is paired with everything for a sophisticated and accomplished look, like the Casual Heroes t-shirt.