Introduction: From Undershirt to Icon
Have you ever wondered how the t-shirt came to be such an iconic staple in American fashion and culture? Originally designed as an undergarment, the t-shirt has transformed into the most ubiquitous item in apparel — and the most powerful.
Few garments have achieved the global dominance of the humble T-shirt. It’s worn by everyone—from Hollywood stars to streetwear fans, from factory workers to high-fashion models. Yet many people still ask: when was the T-shirt invented, and how did it become so popular?
The story of the T-shirt is one of practicality, cultural evolution, and industrial innovation. From military origins to mass manufacturing, the T-shirt has evolved into a universal symbol of comfort, identity, and self-expression.
Let’s explore the full timeline of how the T-shirt was invented, how production developed across decades, and how leading factories like Newasia Garment Co., Ltd. continue the legacy with sustainable, high-quality manufacturing.
When Was the T-Shirt Invented?
The t-shirt, a global wardrobe staple, was born in the early 20th century, with its roots tracing back to the 1910s when it emerged as a lightweight, crew-neck undergarment derived from one-piece union suits. Initially designed for comfort and utility, its journey began when the U.S. Navy adopted short-sleeved, cotton undershirts around 1913 for sailors, valuing breathability in warmer climates. By the 1920s, “t-shirt” appeared in dictionaries, named for its T-shaped silhouette. The garment gained cultural traction post-World War II, when returning soldiers wore them casually, and by the 1940s-50s, icons like Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) cemented its rebellious, everyday appeal. By 2025, the t-shirt market exceeds $50B globally, fueled by streetwear and custom prints, proving its timeless evolution from military undergear to fashion cornerstone. Whether you’re launching a brand or sourcing manufacturers, understanding this origin story underscores the t-shirt’s enduring versatility.
The Origins of the T-Shirt
The t-shirt kicked off in the late 19th century when American laborers halved union suits for summer relief, birthing a sleeveless precursor. By 1898, manufacturers like Fruit of the Loom churned out knit undershirts, but the big leap came in 1913 when the U.S. Navy issued short-sleeve cotton tees—coining the “T” shape. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1920 novel This Side of Paradise first named it “t-shirt,” still an underlayer.
The 1950s flipped the script: Marlon Brando’s A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and James Dean’s Rebel Without a Cause made t-shirts a sexy, rebellious outerwear staple. Women joined by the 1960s, with unisex adoption by the 1970s—fueling a $10B market by 1980.
| Year | Milestone | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1898 | Fruit of the Loom produces undershirts | Civilian access begins |
| 1913 | U.S. Navy adopts T-shape | “T-shirt” standardizes |
| 1920 | Named in This Side of Paradise | Cultural recognition |
| 1951 | Brando’s Streetcar | Outerwear rebellion |
When Was the First T-Shirt Made?
The T-shirt as we know it officially emerged around 1913, when the U.S. Navy adopted it as part of their standard uniform. It was issued to sailors as lightweight, short-sleeved cotton undershirts—ideal for tropical climates and physical labor.
By 1920, the term “T-shirt” appeared in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary for the first time. The name derived from the garment’s “T” shape when laid flat.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the T-shirt spread beyond the military. Farmers, mechanics, and laborers started wearing it as outerwear, valuing its simplicity and durability.
From Workwear to Pop Culture: The T-Shirt Revolution
The T-shirt’s transformation from underwear to outerwear began in Hollywood.
In 1951, Marlon Brando wore a plain white T-shirt in A Streetcar Named Desire, igniting a cultural shift. A few years later, James Dean cemented the look in Rebel Without a Cause. Suddenly, the T-shirt became a symbol of youth rebellion and effortless cool.
By the 1960s–1980s, the T-shirt evolved into a canvas for self-expression:
- Rock bands printed their logos on tees.
- Brands and activists used slogans for marketing and protest.
- Designers experimented with fits, colors, and fabrics.
From then on, the T-shirt wasn’t just clothing—it was culture.
The Global Expansion of T-Shirt Manufacturing
As demand skyrocketed in the late 20th century, production shifted from the U.S. to global textile hubs such as China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey. These countries offered advanced textile technology, skilled labor, and cost efficiency—making T-shirts affordable for the global market.
Today, most T-shirts are produced in Asia, where world-class facilities handle spinning, knitting, dyeing, sewing, and finishing. This globalization also sparked innovation in eco-friendly manufacturing, automation, and custom design flexibility.
The Modern T-Shirt Manufacturing Process
Modern T-shirt production is a highly technical process that blends craftsmanship with precision machinery. Here’s a simplified overview:
- Fabric Selection & Spinning – Cotton or blended fibers (polyester, spandex, organic cotton) are spun into yarns.
- Knitting – The yarn is knitted into jersey fabric, forming the soft, stretchy base material.
- Dyeing & Finishing – Fabrics are dyed using eco-friendly dyes and treated for softness, shrink resistance, and color fastness.
- Cutting – Automated machines cut panels based on digital patterns.
- Sewing – Skilled operators assemble the panels, attach sleeves, necklines, and labels.
- Printing & Embroidery – Designs, logos, and graphics are added using screen printing, DTG, or embroidery.
- Quality Control – Every piece undergoes rigorous inspection for stitching, measurement, and color consistency.
- Packaging & Shipping – Finished garments are packed, labeled, and shipped worldwide.
How the T-Shirt Became a Fashion Item
The t-shirt’s glow-up hit in the 1960s-70s, thanks to Plastisol ink (1960) slashing print costs 50%. It became a canvas for rebellion: Thomas Dewey’s 1948 “Dew it with Dewey” campaign pioneered slogan tees. Katharine Hamnett’s 1984 anti-nuclear tee at a Thatcher meeting cemented its voice.
By the 1990s, high fashion embraced it—Chanel’s 1992 logo tank and Sharon Stone’s 1996 Oscars tee made it luxe. Today, 2025 sees streetwear drops (Supreme, BAPE) drive 30% of $50B sales.
| Decade | Fashion Leap | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Slogan tees born | Dewey’s campaign |
| 1960s | Plastisol ink enables prints | Band tees explode |
| 1984 | Political statements | Hamnett’s anti-nuclear tee |
| 1992 | High fashion adoption | Chanel’s logo tank |
The Construction of the T-Shirt
From woolen union suits to 2025’s eco-blends, t-shirt fabrics evolved fast. Early 1900s wool gave way post-WWI to French-inspired silk/cotton, with 1920s central heating spurring lighter weaves. The game-changer? 1930s cotton jersey—Brando’s form-fitting icon—soft, stretchy, $1-2/unit cheaper.
Now, 2025 mixes thrill: Cotton-linen jerseys (oatmeal, 180GSM) for breathability; recycled poly for green streetwear (25% market share). Our picks? Cotton-linen for luxe drape, organic cotton for sustainability.
Newasia Garment Co., Ltd. : 39 Years of T-Shirt Manufacturing Excellence
Based in China, Newasia Garment Co., Ltd. is one of the most experienced OEM/ODM apparel manufacturers, specializing in custom T-shirt production for global brands.
With 39+ years of expertise, the company integrates design, production, and logistics to deliver factory-direct quality at competitive pricing.
🌿 Why Choose Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd. ?
- Experience: 39 years in apparel manufacturing.
- Certifications: BSCI, ISO14001, GRS for ethical and sustainable production.
- Capacity: 140 production lines, 12,000 employees, and daily output exceeding 100,000 pieces.
- Customization: Private label, embroidery, screen printing, puff print, oversized fits, and sustainable fabrics.
- MOQ: Flexible starting from 100 pcs/style—ideal for startups and established brands alike.
- Eco-Tech: Laser fading, ozone washing, and recycled cotton options.
Whether you need premium streetwear, basic T-shirts, or fashion-forward collections, Newasia brings your ideas to life—from concept to shipment.
Clothing Manufacturer – Customized Clothing Solutions For Every Concept
We deliver fully integrated, end-to-end apparel manufacturing that seamlessly blends design intent with technical execution. Our in-house fabric R&D lab develops proprietary textiles—from advanced performance blends to sustainable cottons and recycled polymers—ensuring material innovation aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and functional needs.
Through precision pattern engineering and fabric mapping, we create tailored through relaxed silhouettes optimized for drape, movement, and consistency. Each collection is supported by comprehensive development services: tech pack preparation, size grading, garment dyeing, custom washes, and specialty finishes. With full control over the entire supply chain—from yarn to final garment—we guarantee quality, scalability, and brand integrity across every piece we produce.
Trusted Certificates：
Reasons to Choose Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd. as Your womens t shirt manufacturers
All of our practices are eco-friendly and sustainable from start to finish, from the fabrics and materials that we source to our production processes.
Every aspect that goes into our custom t-shirts is carefully weighed against our high quality standards, from fabrics to notions to labels.
You can unleash your creativity with Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd. by choosing the fabrics, colors, patterns, labels, and more that go into each and every custom design.
No more waiting ages for your custom designs – we are able to offer quick production timelines to get you your designs as quickly as possible.
Our designs aren’t limited to classic t-shirts – we carefully research and source styles that are on-trend for the best selection for our customers.
In order to make our products as accessible as possible to all of our customers, we offer low minimum order quantities.
What Printing Methods Do We Use in Our OEM Clothing Manufacturing Process?
See how we print your clothing here
Ideal for large, complex designs but is only compatible with light fabrics such as polyester.
A top choice for consumers looking for bulk printing designs in a short amount of time.
Best for high-quality, photo-realistic, and colorful designs. It is particularly suited for promotional events, novelty gifts, etc.
For high-quality mass production, this is an excellent choice. But it may not be suitable for every type of printing.
Perfect for consumers who prefer small order quantities and want to experiment with various styles.
It can produce easy-to-maintain, low-cost, and prints that are compatible with all types of fabrics.
What Types of T-Shirts Can We Manufacture?
See below for our complete list of T-shirt types and designs so that you can find what suits you best.
✅Women T-shirts
✅Oversized T-shirts
✅Fitness T-shirts
✅Polo T-shirts
✅Bamboo T-shirts
✅Neon T-shirts
✅Men T-shirts
✅Long sleeve T-shirts
✅Baseball T-shirts
✅Blank T-shirts
✅Organic cotton T-shirts
✅Hemp T-shirts
Enhance Your Brand with Premium Washed Apparel
We specialize in providing high-quality, customizable washed apparel, including T-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies,denim clothes and jackets. With a variety of washing techniques to choose from, we help you showcase your brand’s unique personality through every garment.
✅Enzyme Washing
✅Acid Washing
✅Gradient Washing
✅Stone Washing
✅Destroy Washing
✅Ink Splash Washing
✅Tie Dyeing
✅Hanging Dyeing
From Factory to You, Cut Out the Middleman
- Say goodbye to the waiting game with direct communication.
- Work directly with the team to create custom products to your exact needs.
- No middlemen means no markup—just direct, cost-effective pricing.
- No guesswork—get a clear view of your costs and progress.
We can provide
We are a clothing manufacturing group that focuses on producing high-quality clothing and adhering to the concepts of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Fully custom garments, designed and produced to your specifications by a trusted clothing manufacturer.
Jackets | Denim | streetwear | Sports wear | And more
MOQ: Starts at 300 pieces per model/color
Personalize our premium blank apparel with prints, embroidery, labeling, and more, from a reliable garment manufacturer.
MOQ: 100 pieces per model/color.
High-quality, ready-to-brand apparel Made in China in our clothing manufacturer for startups for premium garments.
No MOQ | No minimum quantities
How Do We Guarantee the Quality
Our quality assurance begins with designing and planning, then continues through every step of the production and post-production inspections. Delivery is not an ending. We still offer money-back guarantee for quality issues.
When sourcing fabrics, we will check all related fabric certificates from our suppliers.
We make sure the fabric is well pre-washed to meet the standards before cutting.
All our workers are well-trained and have many years of experience in the garment industry. They are all local workers with high stability.
Our quality team will follow SOPs to conduct five times of quality checks before shipping.
FAQs About T-Shirt History and Production
Q1: Who invented the T-shirt?
The modern T-shirt originated from the U.S. Navy uniform in 1913, evolving from earlier undershirts.
Q2: Why is it called a T-shirt?
Because when laid flat, it resembles the shape of the letter “T.”
Q3: When did T-shirts become popular?
The 1950s, thanks to Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando and James Dean.
Q4: Where are most T-shirts made today?
Primarily in China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India—countries with advanced textile infrastructure.
Q5: What are T-shirts made from?
Mostly 100% cotton or blends with polyester, rayon, or spandex for durability and comfort.
Q6: Can I create my own T-shirt brand?
Yes! With OEM/ODM services from manufacturers like Newasia Garment Co., Ltd., you can launch your own label with low MOQ and full customization.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the T-Shirt
From its humble beginnings as a naval undershirt to becoming the world’s most recognized garment, the T-shirt has defined eras, movements, and personal identities.
As the demand for custom, sustainable, and premium-quality T-shirts continues to rise, working with a trusted manufacturer is key.
If you’re building your own brand or seeking a reliable partner for OEM/ODM T-shirt production, choose a factory that combines experience, innovation, and flexibility—just like Newasia Garment Co., Ltd. (INNBLAC).
Read more: When Was the T-Shirt Invented?