The growth of graphic tees
From vintage (and modern) band tees to statement pieces designed by the top design houses, graphic tees have had an interesting and varied role to play in our fashion history. In this article, we take a look at their evolution and some of the best ways to style a graphic tee in 2024.
The history of graphic tees
T-shirts, at least as we know them, have only been around for just over a century. In fact, graphic tees didn’t exist until World War II, when soldiers began decorating their t-shirts with logos and graphics to proudly represent their units and ships. They did these with a stencil and paints as they would other articles like vehicles to their trunks.
In 1942, a Life Magazine cover changed everything, which displayed a handsome soldier training with a white undershirt that had the graphic of a winged horn toad and a machine gun.
While this didn’t bring graphic tees mainstream, it did begin to put the concept into peoples’ minds. In 1948, the Presidential candidate in America Thomas Dewey created a series of graphic t-shirts as part of his campaign, which inspired other politicians to do similarly. Less than ten years later, Walt Disney began promoting the park with images of the famous Mickey Mouse on a series of graphic tees.
But it was in 1959 when things really changed, due in large part to screen printing and Plastisol Ink which made mass production of screen printing possible. This saw artists like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones begin to make their own t-shirts and by the 1960s they had become part of mainstream style which we know and love. The rise of hip hop culture in the 1980s and 1990s saw with it urban graphic tees come into fashion to express music taste and fit a streetwear look.
Today, graphic tees have become a fixture with different films, books, artists, musicians and illustrators all using them either as part of promotional merchandise; and some of the biggest brands incorporating them into their collections.
How to style a graphic tee
With the fashion houses of the 1990s popularising (and elevating) graphic tees by including them as part of their lineup, this garment has become a staple in wardrobes since then. But how exactly do you style them in 2024?
Here are some of the top ways style gurus are wearing fashion tees lately.
1. Loose jeans and a sweater
Gone is the era of skinny jeans as fashion has returned to loose and wide legged jeans. Thankfully, these work great with graphic tees, which together make for a relaxed but stylish look. Pair these with a nice (and clean) set of trainers like Adidas Gazelles, alongside a sweater which you can throw over your shoulders or put on if you get a bit chilly.
2. Mini skirt and boots
Another great way to style graphic tees is with a mini skirt and a pair of tall leather boots. Perfect for a relaxed date or drinks with friends, this look combines a bit of ‘dress up’ along with the casualness of the graphic tee. And really shows off your confidence with combining different elements as a personal style.
3. With a maxi skirt
Maxi skirts are back on trend and come in a wide range of colours and styles. From heavy denim and khaki to leopard print and more! This is a practical look but also adds some character to the tee. Add a large bag to match and you have a fantastic daytime outfit that’s perfect for meetings, the office or a trip to the market on the weekend to pick up food and flowers for the week!
4. With cropped jeans and ankle boots
Bring out some of the ‘rockstar’ elements of the graphic tee by wearing it with a pair of cropped jeans and leather ankle boots. It’s a simple way to add a bit of ‘cool’ and ‘casual’ to your wardrobe, with pieces that can be easily intermixed with others.
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