You can tell a lot about someone just by looking at their T-shirts. Seriously. Think about the T-shirts you have accumulated through the years and what they say about you.

This wasn’t true with my father or grandfathers. The only T-shirts they had were plain white Fruit of the Looms. And few people saw them, as their T-shirts were simply undergarments. About a century ago, that began to change. Here’s a little history.

The U.S. Navy first issued T-shirts as undergarments for uniforms in 1913. In casual situations, sailors and marines began to remove their uniform jackets and wear only the undershirts. Not long after that, T-shirts became popular layers of clothing for workers. By the time the Great Depression rolled in, the T-shirt was the go-to garment that was worn while doing farm or ranch chores. And then along came Marlon Brando and the movie “A Streetcar Named Desire,” making T-shirts fashionable as standalone outerwear garments. Need I mention Arthur Fonzarelli?

During the rebellious 1960s, printed T-shirts started to surface as part of self-expression and protests, as well as with company advertising and as souvenirs. This continued for several decades, becoming more “in your face” each year. Remember “Frankie Says Relax”? Today, revenue from T-shirts sales is expected to top $5.28 billion in the United States alone. Yes, with a B.

Did you know that a T-shirt is named so because the shape of the shirt is in the letter “T”? It’s true. And the word “T-shirt” became part of American English by the 1920s and started appearing in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary about that time, too.

Now back to what your T-shirts say about you. Your favorite sports teams. The events you have gone to. The employers you worked for. The schools you attended. The places you visited. Your favorite bands. TV shows. Movies. And you thought you were a private person?

Your dresser drawer may say more about you than the data Facebook collects. But, of course, you know what’s in your dresser. On Facebook’s servers? Good luck.

T-shirts today are printed with all types of catch phrases, popular quotes and even vulgarities. And people seem to wear them proudly. Will that trend change soon and see T-shirts going back to simply being plain white undergarments? Don’t bet your shirt on it.

Have a marvelous Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!

Best Local Pool and Spa Store

1. Central Iowa Pool & Spa

2. Valley Pool & Hot Tubs

3. Hot Springs Spas

SEE EVENT PHOTOS HERE...

Arbor Day event plants 32 trees

Annual event betters Grimes’ green presence

By Lindsey Giardino

Each year in April, in celebration of Arbor Day, the City of Grimes hosts a tree planting event with advisement from the local Tree Board and support from grant opportunities.

This year’s event, in its seventh year, was held on the morning of April 29 when a group of residents — including individual families, Cub Scouts Packs 171 and 172, Grimes Hy-Vee staff members and City of Grimes staff — led by experienced professionals, planted 32 trees along the new bike trail around the detention pond located directly behind Hacienda Viejas.
“Planting takes approximately an hour and includes planting and mulching,” explains Lee Goldsmith, a member of the Tree Board.

“Public Works staff dig holes prior to the event, and the Tree Board works hard each year to source good quality trees and supervise plantings. We are always impressed by the care and attention our community takes in planting, so we know it’s done well and correctly.”

Read more in the June issue of Grimes Living Magazine.

These celebrities were born on this date: Tom Cruise, Olivia Munn, Kurtwood Smith, Montel Williams, Audra McDonald, Patrick Wilson, Elle King, Dave Barry, Betty Buckley, Jan Smithers

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Why do vain people like going to mountain plateaus? THEY ARE THE HIGHEST FORM OF FLATTERY! - Gail Tomlinson. OR THEY ELEVATE THEIR STATUS! - Kristopher L. Laurson. OR TO LOOK DOWN ON EVERYONE! - Irving Stone. OR BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HIGH OPINION OF THEMSELVES! - Carolyn Rogers

Today's Riddle

What is the most effective way to cook a crocodile?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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