T Shirt

The material dictates the T-shirt's feel, breathability, and durability:

• 100% Cotton: The most popular choice. It is soft, breathable, and comfortable for everyday wear.
• Cotton-Polyester Blends (e.g., 50/50 or 60/40): Highly durable, lightweight, dries quickly, and is less prone to shrinking or wrinkling than pure cotton.
• 100% Polyester: Moisture-wicking and durable. Ideal for athletic wear or corporate uniforms.
• Tri-blends (Cotton/Polyester/Rayon): Provides an ultra-soft, premium feel with a great drape

History

US Merchant Marine sailor in 1944

Simple, T-shaped top garments have been a part of human clothing since ancient times; garments similar to the T-shirt worn earlier in history are generally called tunics.

The modern T-shirt evolved from undergarments used in the 19th century. First, the one-piece union suit underwear was cut into separate top and bottom garments, with the top long enough to tuck under the waistband of the bottoms. With and without buttons, they were adopted by miners and stevedores during the late 19th century as a convenient covering for hot environments.

In 1913, the U.S. Navy first issued them as undergarments.[4] These were a crew-necked, short-sleeved, white cotton undershirt to be worn under a uniform. It became common for sailors and Marines in work parties, the early submarines, and tropical climates to remove their uniform jacket, thus wearing (and soiling) only the undershirt.[5][page needed] They soon became popular as a bottom layer of clothing for workers in various industries, including agriculture. The T-shirt was easily fitted, easily cleaned, and inexpensive; for these reasons, it became the shirt of choice for young boys. Boys' shirts were made in various colors and patterns. The word T-shirt became part of American English by the 1920s, and appeared in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.[4]