Men’s Shirt’s History

Having discussed T-shirts, I couldn’t help writing about average men's shirts which have not lost their popularity in course of time. From an ordinary garment of utility they turned into a fashionable piece of clothes suitable for everybody and everywhere.

History knows different types, styles and colors of men’s shirts. The last considerable discovery in the fashion of men’s shirts was the appearance of polo shirt in the previous century. Polo shirt or “tennis shirt” was created by legendary French tennis player Rene Lacoste in 1929 as an alternative to special tennis attire typical for that time. Having included it into his Polo-collection, Ralph Lauren in the 1960-s made it popular to that extend that it became a standard category of clothing. It should be noted here, that in this time it has already lost its popularity among tennis-players.

Collarless shirts (known as “granddad shirts”) gained and retained their popularity throughout two centuries. In the twentieth century they saw many variations of styles, colors and different strata of society gave preference to them. Since 1950-1960-s (granddad shirts were popular with the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru) they became to be worn by celebrities. Even now in different combinations they are suitable for both, festival clothing and casual wear.

Button-down shirts are also an important invention in the history of male’s fashion. But unfortunately no one knows exactly who and what caused their creation. Someone gives the first place in this matter to an American shirt manufacturer. He is said to have been inspired by an English polo match, in which players had their collars clipped down to avoid flapping in the wind. Other fashion experts say that it is all down to an anonymous inventor from New York, who tried to do something with the collar of his shirt in order it not to be bothered by the wind.
Today button-down shirts are worn in formal and casual occasions. They are available in different colors, with short or long sleeves and easily go into combination with jeans, classical men’s trousers, different belts etc.

As we see, the history of the men’s shirt’s development is rather long. Time dictates its own peculiarities which are sure to result in new fashion trends, thus, in appearance of new pieces of clothes or improvement of already existing ones. In any case, don’t hurry to get rid of your old shirt. It is likely to become the latest fashion soon!