UNIFORM | The T-shirt


Photos L to R: Actress Madge Evans in 1933 by George Hurrell; SNL cast member Laraine Newman in 1978 by Lynn Goldsmith; Lauren Hutton in 1983 by Neal Preston.

T-shirts evolved from undergarments when miners and dockworkers cut one-piece union suits at the waist in the late 1800s. The shirt really caught on when the United States Navy issued them after the Spanish-American War, and then in the Depression as a cheap means of clothing. But some argue that the T-shirt wasn't actually fashionable until Marlon Brando wore one in the 1951 film A Street Car Names Desire.

In casual Los Angeles, the land of $100 t-shirts, it's quite the uniform. There are so many options from low to high, and I, admittedly have tried most of them. My recent t-shirt obsession though is definitely Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's line, StyleMint. They're $29.99 a pop and soft as butter. Full disclosure: I am kind of an Olsen stalker; between Elizabeth & James, The Row, and this blog, I don't know where to start.

StyleMint operates as a free membership with access to a new limited edition of tees each month. Oh, and the style quiz on their site is (nerd alert) really fun. They are thrilled to offer Tomboy Style readers a discount too: 10% off if you enter TOMBOY as a promo code. Check it out!

Comments

Unknown said…
Umm, had no idea about StyleMint. Now a member, thanks. Love this t-shirt post. I live in them.
Lizzie said…
Pretty great, right? I especially like their true t-shirts. Live in them too!
Anonymous said…
I had no idea where t-shirts came from!
a reference said…
i've been curious about this project! i'll have to check it out!
Joy said…
That is one good looking hunk right there. Marlon was SO HAWT in A Streetcar Named Desire
Unknown said…
Thanks so much for the t-shirt info and the StyleMint tip...I had heard the name so many times but hadn't quite investigated. Just ordered a T by Alexander Wang shirt that I'm not happy with and I have much more hope for StyleMint!
Hannah said…
i am sort of obsessed with the olsen twins too...i love their clothing lines. and i really, really enjoyed this post. it was pretty fascinating reading about the history of the tshirt. who knew?
Nomadic D. said…
Totally with you on the olsen obsession. I've been wondering about the sylemint t-shirts for a while now, it's nice to hear an unbiased third party say how amazing they are, maybe I'll have to take the plunge. I'm a total t-shirt addict and recently (unfortunately for my piggy bank) discovered how perfect and totally worth the price tag the T by Alexander Wang t-shirts are, you can check out my newest additions to my collection here:

http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/2011/09/buying-confidence.html
Akosua said…
I love StyleMint. Their tumblr is great as well.
indigosunday.blogspot.com
T-shirts are definitely my uniform
So glad I saw this as I've been dying to hear some feedback on the StyleMint t's. Btw, also obsessed with said blog. Love me some marykateandashleyolsen! XXOO
BlueJay said…
I just watched 'a street car named desire', Thanks so much for the history of the t-shirt!
klara said…
for some reason i can't get the discount when i type in TOMBOY in the discount code section. any ideas? love your blog!

www.digsblog.com
Lizzie said…
I'll check it out and report back, thanks for letting me know!
Lizzie said…
The discount is for first-time customers only and for first purchase. :)
julia wheeler said…
so obsessed with the olsens! BUT i haven't been that stoked on the tees they've been coming out with... the fit seems funky so i haven't bought one yet. i am too picky i think.

also, laraine newman and marlon brando in one post... amazingness!
Bonnie said…
I just stumbled upon the book "Icons of Men's Style"

http://www.amazon.ca/Icons-Mens-Style-Josh-Sims/dp/1856697223

and immediately thought of you, and this post! Have you checked it out?
Anonymous said…
Prudential uniforms
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Unknown said…
Really the white T-shirts looks amazing and all are providing a corporate looking here. Thanks for sharing...

Uniforms Shirts
Such an amazing post you have shared with us. The white T-shirts are really nice, and they all have a corporate look to them.
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Amazing post and thanks for sharing it and keep sharing informative post,http://www.happysaints.com/2013/02/pope-benedict-t-shirts-buttons-badges.html

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