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Men's
Shirts - Fashion
For many, the average men's shirt is simply a garment of utility - one
that is worn by men across the world for reasons of function and not
necessarily fashion. But this attitude belies the hundreds of years of
trends in men's shirts. From the typical collarless shirts with
billowing sleeves worn by classical painters to the modern formal
button-down shirt, men's shirts have captured the imaginations of both
designers and ordinary men for generations. In the twentieth century in
particular, a range of different shirt styles have proved popular with
men of all ages.
Men's
Shirts - Fashion, Not Just Function
By Adam
Singleton
One of the most important developments in men's shirts over the last
hundred years, for example, has been the invention of the polo shirt.
The polo shirt, or 'tennis shirt', was created by legendary French
tennis player Rene Lacoste in 1929 as an alternative to the stiff dress
shirts and ties typical of tennis attire at the time. In the 1960s,
Ralph Lauren propelled the polo shirt to new heights as a prominent
item in his 'Polo' collection; and since this time the polo shirt has
become so popular that it is now a standard category of clothing -
although it has fallen out of favour with most tennis players.
The granddad shirt has also been a long lasting trend in men's shirts
in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. These collarless shirts
have been popular with men in warm countries for decades and have seen
a variety of incarnations throughout the years. The Nehru Jacket, for
instance, is a South Asian version of the modern granddad shirt that
was popularised by the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in
the 1950s and early 1960s, and has since been prominently worn by a
number of celebrities, from the likes of Sammy Davis Jr to Steven
Segal. Today's granddad shirt preys on bright colours and an
ethno-bohemian vibe that appeals to a variety of men's fashion trends -
from festival clothing to smart casual summer wear.
Burt Reynolds
The button-down shirt has also been one of the most influential men's
shirts in fashion history - but memories of how it was
created tend to
be somewhat hazy. Some fashion experts claim that the button-down
collar shirt was invented by an American shirt manufacturer who was
inspired by an English polo match, in which players had their collars
clipped down to avoid flapping in the wind. Others say that button-down
shirts were created in New York, when their inventor (as yet anonymous)
attached his collar to his shirt with buttons in a fit of annoyance at
the oncoming wind.
But whatever the origin of the button-down shirt, its impact on the
men's shirt industry has been historic, as button down shirts are now
worn in both formal and casual contexts. Today, short-sleeved men's
shirts are often worn with skinny jeans, large belts and tailored
waistcoats for a fresh and informal look that still exudes smart chic.
And with men's shirts available in a variety of colours - from grey to
raspberry - and in a variety of floral and striped patterns, it's clear
that evolving trends in men's fashion are far from over.
Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur
photographer. His portfolio, called Capquest
Photography is available
to view online.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Singleton
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