The White T
by By Harris, Alice
Category: Social Science , General

A fabulous tribute to the one piece of clothing worn by people of every age, gender, and shape, the white T captures the zeitgeist of our times. With striking photographs and sophisticated text, the white T traces the colorful history of the classic garment worn by billions all over the world. From the first Hanes version sold in the 1930s for twenty-four cents to its transformation into the ultimate in cool (not to mention sexy) when worn by James Dean, Elvis Presley, and Marlon Brando, the white T has become part of our culture.The significance of the white T goes beyond fashion, to encompass the political, sexual, and social trends of the past decades. Whether tie dyed, stamped with a slogan or icon, torn, slashed, or designed, these shirts make a statement, and everyone from presidents to rock stars, bikers to bankers, babies to baby boomers, has at least one white T. Celebrating this universally worn piece of clothing, the white T is a chronicle of cultural history, and like its quirky and expressive subject, in itself a work of art.