Are music and band t-shirts dead?

Introduction

Fashions come and go by definition, however, there are some clothing items that never completely go out of style. Usually, an innovation emerges or a peripheral trend brings them back into the public eye. For example, I’m thinking of blue jeans, which have been an iconic and dominant piece of clothing for decades, but seem to come in and out of style depending on other factors, such as celebrity endorsements or innovation in cut styles. . Another fashion classic is the music or band shirt. Are gang t-shirts dead? Should they be sent to Fashion Lounge 101 along with dress pants and chunky cardigans with leather elbow patches? No, says this music t-shirt fanatic. Music and band t-shirts are still in style.

where t-shirts began

T-shirts used to be underwear. Nondescript clothing and nothing to write home about. That all changed when James Dean wore his classic white t-shirt in Rebel Without a Cause. Suddenly, T-shirts became a youth garment, a rebellious garment that defied the formal shirt and tie worn by older generations. However, the shirts were plain. Mainly white in fact. However, in the late 1950s, things were about to change with the invention of a new material called plastisol ink that made it possible to print long-lasting designs on clothing. T-shirts continued to be the clothing of the rebels throughout the 1960s, when tie-dyeing and other processes gave them a new rise in popularity. T-shirts also began to be used by bands as a means of promotion, as were concerts where they were sold as souvenirs.

Music t-shirts hit the mainstream

Thus, T-shirts became mainstream as dress styles moved away from the formal suit and ties of the early 1960s towards a more casual look. Iron-on transfers arrived in the 1970s, allowing t-shirt shops to open in every city and shopping mall printing almost unlimited t-shirt designs. No trip to the beach was complete without the purchase of a cool new t-shirt, printed on demand.

The punk explosion of the mid-1970s gave t-shirts a new lease on life with designers like Vivienne Westwood adapting them and creating outrageous new t-shirt designs using pop art imagery, safety pins and shocking prints. Once again, they became a potentially avant-garde and important fashion statement.

Throughout the 1990s, t-shirts ceased to be a fashion statement and became more of a safe, middle-of-the-road clothing staple. All bands now promote themselves, their tours, and their albums using t-shirts along with other media. In fact, t-shirt sales continue to be a major source of the band’s touring revenue, and many tours are accompanied by exclusive concert t-shirts that cannot be purchased anywhere else. They continue to be strongly associated with music, but also with any other form of popular culture. Where teens might show their allegiance to beliefs, bands, or TV shows by wearing button badges, most adults now do the same by wearing t-shirts, as button badges are generally considered less acceptable to the older generation. Because band and music t-shirts have been around since the 1960s, there are now over 50 years of designs for music t-shirt companies to loot and republish, and there are still plenty of classic t-shirt designs available today. . Major bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd have dozens, if not hundreds, of officially licensed t-shirts for sale from a wide range of sources. TV shows like Southpark, The Simpsons, and Family Guy are also popular t-shirt targets, and adults of any age can proudly and subtly show (or so they hope!) that they’re fashionable by wearing a particular t-shirt when they’re out and about. From home. Dress Casual Fridays in workplaces (where formal attire is typically worn Monday through Thursday) are a great opportunity for those considered snobby and out of touch to correct what they might consider a misconception. In the UK, t-shirts are more popular than ever right now, and fitted t-shirts are particularly appealing to skinny youngsters, while the broader folks among us still opt for large over XXL. All the trendiest bands, whether young or old, new or established, have t-shirts available. Lady Ga Ga, The Killers, Lily Allen, Snow Patrol, Morrissey, The Gallows, etc. For Heavy Metal fans, t-shirts, usually black, have been a staple from the mid 70’s onwards and there are great metal t-shirts available for fans of bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slipknot, Slayer, Motorhead, etc. . and the graphic designs on these t-shirts are legendary and unique in the music t-shirt industry, as most other genres tend to focus on band photos or album covers.

conclusion

So what will you wear on vacation this summer? Okay, you could buy yourself a nice Hawaiian shirt or a boring high street polo shirt. But I think you want to express yourself and wear your heart on your chest. There’s no better way to do that than through a band or music t-shirt. Show you care, show you’re cool. Buy a hip band t-shirt from a site like http://www.musictees.co.uk and you can’t go wrong. Informal but deliberate. Comfortable but elegant. Are music t-shirts dead as a fashion item? Yes, but only if you’re too square to wear one.