In 1913, the T-shirt made its American debut when the US Navy issued crew necks to seamen for chest protection under their sailor suits. 100 years later, A-listers are putting their tees front and center — paired with glam accessories such as a Chanel bag, of course.
THE ‘50s: HOLLYWOOD EFFECT
The T-shirt went from utilitarian staple to sexy essential when megastars like Marlon Brando and James Dean infused a spirit of rebellion into the plain white tee. Modern-day stars like Blake Lively, Kate Beckinsale and Olivia Wilde carry the devil-may-care torch, daring to wear their tees simple and clean.
Affordable: Rag & Bone V-neck cotton T-shirt, $80 at stylebop.com (left), Luxe: Helmut Lang silk T-shirt, $275 at stylebop.com
THE ‘60s: HAUTE HIPPIE
Woodstock saints like Joe Cocker and Janis Joplin influenced a sartorial revolution that had people tinting their tees into psychedelic dreams. Today, you can find tie-dye in thrift stores and in Soho, as well as on free spirits like model Alessandra Ambrosio.
Affordable: Tie-dye cotton-jersey T-shirt, $20 at americanapparel.net (left), Luxe: Proenza Schouler tie-dye cotton T-shirt, $245 at Kirna Zabête, 477 Broome St.
THE ‘60s-‘70s: WHAT’S YOUR LOCALE?
Jean Seberg famously repped NYC in 1960’s “Breathless” years before John Lennon posed for the 1974 Bob Gruen photo that made wearing your whereabouts chic. Rihanna flaunted her own ghostly take on the Lennon classic, and now you can wear tees boasting anywhere you want to be.
Affordable: Union Jack cotton T-shirt, $45 at cafepress.com (left), Luxe: USA cotton-jersey T-shirt, $90 at A.P.C., 131 Mercer St.
THE ‘70s-‘80s: EXPRESS YOURSELF
Debbie Harry and other CBGB punks weren’t afraid to speak their minds or stamp attitude-to-T-shirt, much like Solange does in this decade. For a fresh take, try phrases with flowers.
Affordable: Printed cotton T-shirt, $58 at frenchconnection.com (left), Luxe: Printed cotton T-shirt, $130 at Sandro, 986 Madison Ave.
THE ‘80s: SHINE ON
Somewhere between “Dynasty” and “Thriller,” the T-shirt turned fabulous, with sequins, gems and other embellishments that keep babes like Isla Fisher looking great even today. Take yours in elegant embroidery or go all-out with all-over sparkle.
Affordable: Embellished poly-blend T-shirt, $80 at riverisland.com (left), Luxe: Lanvin sequin t-shirt, $767 at theoutnet.com
THE ‘90s: WITH THE BAND
Band tees may have surfaced pre-1990, but no one loved them more than Gen X, especially slacker teens like Beavis and Butt-head. Now the tees are key for pop-rockers like Sky Ferreira, and since almost everyone loves music, you can flaunt nostalgic cool, too.
Affordable: Van Halen printed cotton T-shirt, $17.80 forever21.com (left), Luxe: Balenciaga printed cotton T-shirt, $278 at farfetch.com
NOW: THE DIGITAL AGE
The 21st century ushered in new technology that took T-shirts past Nirvana to infinity and beyond. The scenic trompe l’oeil prints of our time are all the rage with young fashion darlings like Hailee Steinfeld, so stay on course with one of these similar forward-thinking picks.
Affordable: Printed cotton T-shirt, $50 at topshop.com (center), Luxe: Mary Katrantzou printed jersey T-shirt, $470 at net-a-porter.com