The History of the Shirt

3000 BC
The oldest preserved garment in the world- a linen shirt from ancient Egypt.

Image from https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/160218-oldest-dress-egypt-tarkhan-archaeology/

Middle ages
During the middle ages the shirt was used as nightwear and underwear.
13th to 15th century
Detatchable sleeves came into style, they are swapped between outfits and one is given to a suitor as a sign of affection.

Post Renaissance
Womens shirts button to the left and mens to the right, women of status used to be dressed by servents and it was easier for them to button up from the left whereas men dressed themselves.
16th to 18th centuries
The introduction of the crop top, worn by men to over decorate a plain shirt or to cover up a shirt that needed washing.

Image from https://historyofeuropeanfashion.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/paperdoll1.jpg

Image from http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O137719/shirt-unknown/

18th Century
No longer worn as just underwear. The collar grew and became overly decorated with embroidery and lace. Shirts get longer and goes beyond the torso for men and the long tail is used for underwear. Long neck frills called jabots are a fashionable element of mens shirts.

​1827
Hannah Montague invents the detachable collar, so that she only had to wash the collar and the shirt separately when needed.
Mid 19th century
All dress shirt collars and cuffs are detachable during this period allowing them to be cleaned separately from the shirt.
1871
The first buttoned shirt was produced.

Image From https://crushvelvetclubdotcom.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/the-foundation-white-dress-shirt/

Image from http://www.blacktieguide.com/White_Tie/White_Tie_Shirt.htm

Late 19th to early 20th century
“Bosom Shirts” worn by thrifty men- the collar and shirt front were made of shirt fabric whilst the rest of the shirt is made of a cheaper fabric as it is covered by a jacket.
Early 20th century
With more people able to afford a washing machine, attached collards began replacing the detachable ones, it was easier and more affordable to wash the whole shirt.
20th century
High collars come from the Victorian era and conveyed formality.

World War 1
Modern shirts that button up the front became very popular, due to their practicality.
1920s
Pointed collars become more popular than the rounded collar.
1930s
Fixed collar shirts came back into fashion.

Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Army_during_World_War_I

Image from https://vintagedancer.com/1950s/1950s-tops-blouses/

World War 2
During the war dress shirts started being made from synthetic fabrics such as rayon, nylon and viscose mainly because wool was needed for military uniforms.
1950s
The nylon shirt came into style along with the short sleeve shirt.
1960s
​The chest pocket was introduced. The chest pocket makes its first appearance on mens shirts.