The Shirt Story

Once upon a time over the life of men, their wardrobe has been characterized by a few main pieces--one of them, the shirt. This versatile yet essential piece of clothing has played a great role in the life of any man. Through history, and with the passage of time, this piece has evolved and undertaken different roles and meanings.

The shirt has never discriminated status, gender or social class. kings, emperors, generals, common people and even peasants have owned at least one. Time and time again history has shown that both women and men alike have worn a shirt. In the 1300’s, the shirt was originally known as "subucula." and everyone used it as modern undergarment of the time. In art and literature, the shirt has always being depicted for both the privileged and the needy. One thing for sure is that the shirt has evolved depending on the trend and the need. This doesn't deny the fact that the shirt's first role was for health reasons. Yet as time went on and without notice in the 1500s, the shirts evolved to a more sophisticated piece when in every outfit, the collar became  the true protagonist. Thus making it the center of attention: from the small flat collars called French to the Italian version that took the form and name of "frill", to the "giorgiera" that required 36 ft of fabric. The possibilities of creating a new shirt every time became endless.

Nonetheless, the shirt was seen just an average piece of clothing. Finally, the shirt won world wide recognition when in 1843 at Montevideo, Italy the famous red shirt of the Garibaldini was born. The shirt success grew and shirt makers began to alter its style according to the occasion: white without a collar and with wide sleeves for the painter, white and at times without a right sleeve for the sword duel, or well hidden under the jacket for pistols. It gained even more popularity in the 20th century with the birth of the American cinema. Pure white shirts with flowing sleeves worn by Rudolph Valentino, the "Oxford" of Humphrey Bogart, the type suited for the hard life of the far west worn on screen by John Wayne, or the super casual Hawaiian shirt worn by Tom Sellek in the T.V. hit series  "Magnum P.I." of the 1980s. 

Yet, the shirt was not completely immortalized until the birth of the "button down," particularly for its undetermined and controversial origin. The most memorable suggests that the founder of this most famous American shirt was inspired in England at a polo match where the players had their collars attached to keep them from flapping in the wind. The more believable version suggests that its anonymous inventor found himself on a pier in the New York harbor during a particularly windy day. Annoyed by his collar blowing in the wind, he attached it at the ends with buttons made of mother of pearl. Whatever its true story, the “button down" is now found in formal settings, with the collar open, in moments of relaxation, and dressed up with a tie or bow tie for important occasions, demonstrating that it is the most versatile leader of the many models of shirts. 

Ultimately, the shirt has been most often a symbol of elegance and refinement but the test of time has immortalized its great prestige for its freedom of expression where anyone can wear it however one pleases. Thus, the shirt is what it is now- a staple item in the closet of today's fashionistas. And now Rui§eñor offers the build up high neck shirt a new and modern approach. This story doesn't end here....It is to be continue by today and tomorrow's innovators.

Want more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirt