Long live The Graphic Tee
Image Courtesy: @travisscott
We’ve all had one. Mostly in our younger days, when going to the mall with no intention of buying anything with your friends was the pinnacle of a good time. Some people have never outgrown them (literally and figuratively) because they learned to adapt them to fit their current style. Some people think they’re basic because they cannot grasp the nuance and detail they carry below the surface. This is an homage to the graphic tee, one of the most versatile articles of clothing ever.
The origin of the graphic tee can be traced back to the 1940s in the United States when the military printed t-shirts with the design of the designated branch or training program on the front for their soldiers to wear as both a recruitment and promotional tool. The loose fit and cotton material made it the most comfortable piece of clothing for soldiers to wear in such uncomfortable circumstances. Although it wasn’t much of a fashion statement as it was propaganda, this history of the graphic tee reflects its longevity of versatility and influence.
Image Courtesy: portraitofwar.com
The renaissance of graphic tees wouldn’t hit full bloom until the later decades of the ’60s, ’70s, and '80s, as popular culture continued to develop. People needed a way to express themselves and their interests, so what better way of doing so than by placing those interests on the center of your chest? Whether it was a favorite band, movie, or comic book, people wanted t-shirts of these things to show that they were a fan. The graphic tee is a positive for all parties. Customers wearing the shirts get to showcase their interests while looking stylish, the companies making the shirts get to rake in money, and the people on the shirts get free publicity whenever someone wears them. Thanks, Capitalism!
Graphic tees are supporters of the culture, an ally-to-all, if you will. This is why there’s such an appeal to them and why they’ve had such a long reign in fashion. Your interests are what make you interesting, and sharing your interests with the world is what allows you to connect to people. That’s all we want, to connect with people who enjoy what we do, and the graphic tee has become the perfect outlet for that. From the classic “ I heart NYC” tee to the most niche and obscure graphic of your favorite character from your favorite TV show, graphic tees know no limit. The youth in today’s age go hunting in thrift stores in search of “retro” graphic tees or pay finder’s fees from resellers who were lucky to find them first. In the last few years, it’s become a trend for people capable enough in graphic design to create their own “retro” tee shirts with designs of whatever section of pop culture they’re into. You may find it annoying when everyone you know tries to start a fashion brand. Still, all this promotes more art, creativity, and freedom of expression.
Let’s put to rest that silly narrative that graphic tees and the outfits paired with them are basic because it’s a stretch. You may be one of these people that are tired of seeing every other guy in a graphic tee, cargo pants, and a pair of Jordans, but trust that the people with this style are never getting tired of it. There will always be an infinite amount of graphic tees to collect, there will always be different pairs of shoes to combine them with, and there will always be different colors to coordinate with. That’s the appeal of graphic tees; they can be combined with anything. Got a casual business meeting? Throw a blazer over that Pink Floyd T-shirt. Is the weather predicting a chilly day? Dust that flannel off and put it with a graphic tee of your favorite sports team. Trying to work out while looking fresh? Grab those 5-inch seam shorts and your baggiest graphic tee, and pick up the weights. The graphic tee is the swiss army knife of fashion.
Graphic tees deserve their flowers. It’s understandable if it’s not part of your consistent rotation of outfits; people want to try more daring and dashing pieces that can represent their personality better than a tee shirt blatantly displaying their interests on the front. However, it is undeniable that this shirt style has been a staple in the game for decades and will be immortalized for the rest of time.
Strike Out,
JD Delcastillo
Boca Raton
JD Delcastillo is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine. He loves consuming media and thinking critically. A major know-it-all, anything related to pop culture, music, and sports, he has knowledge in. Reach out to him on Instagram @jd.delcastillo or email @ jd.delcastillo954@gmail.com
