Friday, March 4, 2011

A T-SHIRT IN TWO PARTS


The Complete T-Shirt

Part One

Part Two

Neckline Detail

Asymmetrical Hem Detail

I was at home a couple of nights ago having a conversation with my housemates about the exciting topic of t-shirts (it was exciting to me, probably not so much to them). One of my housemates insisted he owned a very cool t-shirt, and not more than a minute later he pulled this beautiful tee out of his room and claimed that he "still hasn't worn it yet". The t-shirt is by a Melbourne-based label called Texas Johnny, and I think it's a great example of how the generic t-shirt can undergo a few simple changes and end up as something completely different.

I started wondering whether this garment should be considered a single t-shirt, two separate t-shirts, or two unidentifiable garments. Is half a t-shirt still a t-shirt when it's put with it's other half? And would you still consider it a t-shirt if it was worn on it's own? I think the answer to the second question depends on the utilitarian purpose that the t-shirt is meant to be serving. If half a t-shirt can still do the job of a t-shirt to someone, then that person will recognize the garment as a "t-shirt" because it does what a t-shirt is meant to do. I think the identity of a t-shirt relies more on the job that it does than how it physically looks. The "generic t-shirt" has an easily identifiable silhouette, but there's millions of other silhouettes commercially available that people still consider t-shirts.

When it comes to this Johnny Texas garment, I think it's still considered a t-shirt because the two parts are sold as one, and because it resembles the generic t-shirt silhouette when the two parts are worn together. However, I'm sure that each part on their own would still be considered t-shirts to someone.

THE PERFECT TEE


Can there be such a thing as "the perfect t-shirt" when every designers version of it differs from one another? Despite their simplicity, generic t-shirt designs constantly undergo subtle changes: sleeve length, hem length, neckline width, side shaping, binding method. Although these changes usually go unnoticed hanging in the shop, they make all the difference in the fitting room.

When I contemplate "the perfect t-shirt", my mind instantly thinks of T by Alexander Wang, the diffusion line of t-shirts and other knitwear that Alexander Wang has been perfecting over the last few years. Some designers love jackets, some designers love ball gowns, but Alexander Wang is completely fixated on t-shirts. In his eyes, the perfect t-shirt takes the form of a worn-in, slouchy, easy-to-wash tee that's been pre-washed with marbles to make it soft as butter.

I think the idea of having "the perfect t-shirt" definitely depends on the context it's being worn in. Would Alexander Wang's slouchy tee's seem perfect to a girl who's looking for a fitted t-shirt that will show off her shape? Or would an $1100 generic Chanel t-shirt seem perfect to a builder who needs something to wear to work? The enormous variety of generic t-shirts available for purchase means that, while there may not be one single t-shirt that's perfect for everyone, you can definitely find the perfect t-shirt for yourself if you're looking hard enough.


T by Alexander Wang - www.alexanderwang.com


Thursday, March 3, 2011

RUNWAY DEBUT


When I think about the generic t-shirt, I wonder if it could ever be trendy enough to make an appearance on the ready-to-wear runways. Although shirting of some sort is always included in a designers collection, most designers consider a simple t-shirt too boring to present on the runway. The Jil Sander Spring 2011 collection didn't follow the norm, because the first five looks on the runway were white t-shirts paired with voluminous full length skirts. I loved the way that Raf Simons contrasted the simplicity of the white t-shirts with the boldness of the neon skirts, and I think that the repetition of the generic t-shirt throughout the show was a great way to showcase Springs popular minimalism trend.

Of course, these weren't your typical $5 Bonds t-shirts. For Jil Sander price, you'd expect Jil Sander quality, so I can imagine that the luxury is all in the details: babylocked seams, high-quality fabric, and shaping that would flatter anyone.





NAKED T-SHIRT



Why bother putting on a t-shirt when you're just going to look naked anyway?
Isn't the main purpose of a t-shirt to hide your bare torso, rather than show it off?


THE LETTER T


Why is a t-shirt called a t-shirt?

The obvious answer is because it resembles the letter T. However, doesn’t a long sleeve shirt actually look more like the letter T than a generic t-shirt does? So shouldn’t we be calling the long sleeve shirt a “T-Shirt”, and calling the t-shirt a “Short Sleeve Shirt”? You be the judge:


T-Shirt


Long Sleeve Shirt



The Letter T


Image Sources: nikkisudden.com, cmkprinting.com

GENERIC T-SHIRT




I think the biggest lure of the t-shirt is its simplicity. Essentially, it’s just a few pieces of soft 100% cotton joined with a number of simple seams. It’s one of the most basic garments that you can find, which gives it unmatched ease and comfort. No buttons, no zips, no sweaty bemsilk lining, just soft fabric that serves it’s purpose perfectly.