One of the most popular pieces of clothing the world over, the T-shirt can be found in almost everyone’s wardrobe, no matter the age or gender. This simple piece of apparel, aptly named for its ‘T’ shape, offers versatility and comfort that goes beyond fashion and necessity, rising to cultural icon status throughout its short history.

Have you ever wondered how T-shirts (aka tee-shirts) came to be? Let’s take a brief look at the history of T-shirts, from their origins to the modern-day.

Origins Of The T-Shirt

Like most items of clothing present in today’s fashion industry, T-shirts were born out of a desire for greater comfort and convenience, with just a touch of military might to push development into the mainstream. Having evolved from the original button-up onesie-style undergarments of the 19^th Century, the separate T-shirt/underpants (dividing the onesie into two) notion first took off with its official introduction to the uniform for the United States Navy in 1913. These original military t-shirts were white and made from cotton, in a basic ‘T’ shaped style with rounded necks and short cropped sleeves.

While T-shirts of this time were becoming more common, they were still widely considered ‘underwear’ and worn mostly by sailors and marines underneath the outer uniform for comfort and convenience in warmer temperatures. Widely praised for their versatility when working in hotter temperatures, T-shirts meant the wearer could remove outer more heavy uniform or clothing and carry out their work in a T-shirt while remaining (conservatively) covered up.

T-Shirts And Mass Manufacturing

Mass production of the T-shirt as ‘outerwear’ was brought about by the company Fruit of the Loom, which began marketing T-shirts on a larger scale throughout the early 1900s. Mass production meant the T-shirt was easily accessible, able to be fitted to a wide range of people and relatively inexpensive to produce – perfect for distributing to the masses!

In 1920 the term “T-shirt” was made official by being added to the English dictionary, thanks to author F. Scott Fitzgerald who was the first to use the abbreviated word in his novel ‘This Side of Paradise’. Over the years, T-shirts have also been commonly called tee shirts or tees.

By the 1930s and 40s, T-shirts as outerwear began to gain traction and following American retailer Sears’s iconic ad campaign reassuring the public that T-shirts were acceptable as both under and outerwear, the humble T-shirt’s journey to becoming the wardrobe staple it is today was well and truly underway.

The Celebrity Effect – T-Shirts As A Fashion Choice

The T-shirt underwent significant design alterations during its evolution, including being manufactured from various materials such as flannel and wool into more malleable lightweight fabrics such as cotton and jersey, allowing for more form-fitted shapes and additional design elements. It was this extended range of fabrics that led to a broader range of styles and wider range of wearers.

When worn by Marlon Brando in the movie ‘The Wild One’ in 1953 and again by James Dean in the 1955 film ‘Rebel Without A Cause’, the T-shirt became symbolic of rebellion and the epitome of “being cool”, officially cementing its role as a garment that could be worn as a fashion statement rather than just out of necessity.

The Advent Of Printed T-Shirts

Following the transition from under to outwear and the advent of mass production, the T-shirt of the 70s and 80s was discovered to provide something of a blank canvas for print advertising. This type of promotional material was seen as useful for a number of industries, including politics, advertising, entertainment, sporting and fashion. At this point in time, T-shirts were easily manufactured in bulk and printing designs onto them was fairly inexpensive and highly customisable, which meant printed T-shirts as a branding and promotional tool took off!

The emergence of printed T-shirts also gave rise to a new means of personal self-expression. Through the use of various art, designs and slogans, T-shirts were something of a walking fashion statement for everyone from children to adults, teams to organisations and everywhere from home to the workplace. The 90s saw the T-shirt become a standard addition to every wardrobe, designers such as Chanel, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, and Polo Ralph Lauren even jumped on board, producing their own high-fashion versions.

T-shirts of the 2000s were more trendy and fashionable than ever, a wide range of colours, styles and printed designs were available for all ages and genders thanks to advances in printing technologies and manufacturing techniques. As a result, custom-printed T-shirts became a widely used marketing and branding tool, as well as cementing themselves as indispensable within social and community organisations such as schools and sports teams, as well as influential industries such as musicians, entertainers and many more!

T-Shirts Of Today

Having been a time of increased personal expression and freedom of choice, the T-shirts of the 2020s are worn for work and play and everything in between to depict individual style, as a statement fashion piece, or just for comfort and convenience. You will find current versions in cropped, mid-length or long-line designs, loose or fitted, and with extra styling such as drop shoulder, tie front, collars, or long sleeves, all with a seemingly unlimited range of graphic prints and colours.

Across its history from underwear to a wardrobe staple, the humble T-shirt has evolved into a flexible tool for self-expression and promotion. Companies found t-shirts to be a powerful tool for sales and branding, while individuals discovered a never before seen form of individualism. A fashion staple of global culture today, it is clear the T-shirt will always have a home in wardrobes around the world!

Thinking about T-shirts for your employees, organisation, workmates or team? Big Branding Australia have the tee for you. Screen printing and embroidery are available for greater customisation, plus we can even help with logo design and creating your visual identity – get in touch today to discuss your brand management options and arrange a free quote.

A mainstream article of clothing for over 50 years, an on-trend street fashion icon, a popular athletic accessory, and a workwear staple, the humble hoodie has well and truly cemented its place as a style icon across fashion history.

This comfortable, easy-care garment has been subject to constant change throughout its colourful history, with each generation re-inventing the hoodie, pushing it to the top of the fashion industry list of must-haves.

Who Invented The Hoodie?

The American-style hooded sweatshirt as we know it has officially been around since the early 1930s when the Knickerbocker Knitting Company (now known as Champion Products) first put the hoodie through their production line. However, hoodie-like clothing has been seen in many cultures across the world prior to this, including medieval Europe and ancient Chinese dynasties, and even the Roman Empire. So the concept of the hoodie and hooded clothing has been around a pretty long time!

Brief History Of The Hoodie

Originating in 1930, essentially, the hoodie was designed and manufactured as comfortable clothing able to be worn while on the job to keep workers warm in the cold winter months in New York. Following this, it was picked up by athletes firstly in the military and later by popular sports teams and universities as a symbol of unity (while also keeping them warm during the game!).

By the 70s, the hoodie had made its way into wardrobes of popular hip-hop culture followers, graffiti artists, skateboarders and even on to the iconic sports drama film ‘Rocky’ starring Sylvester Stallone. The 80s saw the hoodie evolve into a mainstream article of clothing, fast becoming more of a fashion statement than a necessity, for both women and men.

In the 1990s the term ‘hoodie’ became the favoured label of choice over its longer version, the ‘hooded sweatshirt’. This was a development spurred on by its naturally formed association with rebellion, gangs and criminality, its somewhat negative connotations at the time. But, however it originated, the name stuck, and hoodie is what we call them today!

Major fashion houses of the time such as Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger picked up the hoodie as a statement piece in the late 90s and early 2000s, rapidly transforming the hoodie into a “cool” item of clothing with more positive youth culture and urban style associations.

For many years during the 2000s, the hoodie was a quiet staple in the wardrobes of pretty much everyone from adults to children from all walks of life. Keeping us cosy on the weekends, warm on the field or as a work uniform staple. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg even famously wore hoodies to work on Wall Street! 

More recently in 2020, as the far reaching effects of the COVID pandemic spread across the world, high-profile actors, sports stars and influencers such as Lamar Odum, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian thrust the hoodie and associated comfortable streetwear into the radar of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Supreme. This casual yet comfortable trend catapulted the hoodie and other streetwear from merely mainstream into the elite world of high fashion! And we shall be forever grateful!

What Fabric Is Used For Hoodies?

Hoodies of today are typically made from either polyester-based material or cotton material. Both fibres produce an effective final product with varying characteristics. Polyester is a relatively cheap synthetic fabric that is hardwearing and fairly smooth to the touch. In comparison, cotton is a natural fibre that is slightly more expensive to manufacture. Most modern hoodies are either polyester-based or a mixture of polyester and cotton.

The Evolving Design Of The Hoodie

The original hoodies were just a sweatshirt with hoods sewn on. Over the years, hoodies have developed their own unique more distinguishable characteristics, making them stand out from their predecessors. 

Early versions of the hoodie were made from heavier and denser cotton jersey fabric as they were predominantly to keep people warm. These hoodies were constructed horizontally, as opposed to vertically, in order to avoid shrinkage but also for a seamless finish around the shoulders. In addition, dropped shoulder designs were popular as these made it easier for football players to accommodate their shoulder pads.

These days you’ll find most hoodies are made with lighter, softer material with the view to keeping the cost down. Hoodies are made in all shapes and sizes, but modern trends dictate a seemingly straight fit in mind so they fit under jackets and provide a more fitted silhouette. 

There are three key features to the modern hoodie; the first being the hood (of course) combined with a knotted drawcord designed to fit perfectly for any wearer’s head for warmth or as a fashion statement. The second; is the prominent front pocket/s, traditionally a single full-width pocket (sometimes referred to as ‘kangaroo-style’), but there are also twin pocket styles usually accompanied by zip-up fastenings down the front. Fine-ribbed trims around the cuffs and hem are the third determining feature, these ensure a tighter fit keeping the arms and hem out of the way while moving.

What Are The Different Types Of Hoodies?

When we think of hoodies, we often just assume the bagging pullover style is where it’s at, but there is more to this wardrobe staple – let’s investigate the different types of hoodies.

• Pullover Hoodie. The classic comfortable and practical hoodie style most of us are used to, the pullover hoodie is a loose-fitting hooded sweater that is pulled over the head to wear. Generally speaking, the pullover hoodie is a fairly heavy sweater designed for added warmth, a kangaroo-style pocket is featured.
• Zip-Up Hoodie. The zip-up hoodie has a front zipper running the full length of the sweater from neck to hem, making it very easy to put on and take off. Zip-up hoodies are also often worn unzipped for a different style or to regulate temperature, and they are generally made with lighter fabric.
• Fitted Hoodie. A more fitted option for those wanting a more refined silhouette. The fitted hoodie offers a slim fit design with easy layering in mind and a medium to lightweight fabric. 
• Sleeveless Hoodie. Sleeveless hoodies look just like a normal hoodie, except they have no sleeves. This cut-off styling helps with mobility for very active wearers but is usually more of a fashion statement. 
• Cropped Hoodie. The cropped hoodie is typically worn by women and features a shorter hemline exposing the midriff. Cropped hoodies are more of a fashion statement than for practical wear.
• Oversized Hoodie. Oversized hoodies are designed to swamp the wearer and are generally several sizes too big. This type of hoodie is more of a streetwear style featuring drop shoulders and vibrant prints. 
• Athletic Hoodie. Made from specially designed fabric with ease of movement and temperature regulation in mind, athletic hoodies are designed with more functionality and purpose than regular hoodies and are often specifically manufactured for certain sports, activities and climate conditions.

The sheer practicality of the hoodie has meant it’s long been a permanent fixture of all wardrobes and will likely continue to be in the future. Like thrill and excitement? Then, you will surely like to spend your free time gambling online. A lot of Australian casinos online offer a gigantic number of games to be played in a secure gambling ambience. Internet games guarantee a burst of emotions and a ton of fun. You can choose an australian casino on your taste on onlinecasinos-australia.com. Looking for work-appropriate hoodies as a uniform staple, marketing strategy or gesture of solidarity? Get in touch with the team at BIG Branding for top quality hoodies and company branding options.

The emergence of the coronavirus has highlighted the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but even before the pandemic, various high-risk businesses have routinely been using PPE for many, many years.

What Is Personal Protective Equipment?

Personal Protective Equipment (commonly referred to as “PPE”), refers to a range of manufactured items aimed at minimising workplace injuries or illnesses for the wearer. PPE works by reducing physical hazard exposure by creating a barrier between the wearer and the potentially harmful aspect of their work.

5 types of hazards PPE helps prevent exposure to:

• Biological Hazards. Such as bacteria, viruses or fungi.
• Airborne Contaminants. Such as dust and fumes.
• Chemical Hazards. From breathing them in, contact with skin, or consuming them orally.
• Physical Hazards. This includes excessive or prolonged exposure to noise, vibrations, UV radiation, or heat/cold.
• Ergonomic Hazards. Common examples of ergonomic hazards are repetitive strain injury and eye strain.

An excellent example of PPE in the current marketplace is mask-wearing to reduce the spread of airborne viruses such as the coronavirus. Other examples might include gloves, gowns, eye protection and body shields.

Why Is PPE Important?

Personal protective equipment is a vital aspect of managing workplace health and safety. Under Australian Work Health and Safety laws and regulations (sometimes called Occupational Health and Safety or OHS), your business must ensure the health and safety of its workers and other people at risk because of your business operations.

WHS works within the framework of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the Work Health and Safety Regulations and the associated Codes of Practice. See here for more information on the legal requirements for Health and Safety in your territory, or see below for some of the standards and regulations relating to PPE in Australia.

Essentially, all of these laws and regulations mean it is the responsibility of employers to minimise the risk of injury for their workers, customers, visitors and the general public on their premises or using their services or products. Although some responsibility lies with employees to keep themselves and others safe – under the Act, the primary duty of care rests with the business they work for – this is where PPE comes in.

The importance of PPE use has surged over the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, for some industries, it has always been a part of their risk management strategies. However, it pays to note PPE is just one tool businesses use to meet the requirements of the law; it is by no means the complete answer to workplace health and safety.

7 Types Of PPE

There are several main types of personal protective equipment commonly used in the workplace to aid in the prevention of accidents or injury, these are:

1. Respiratory PPE

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is designed to protect people from inhaling chemical or biological substances. This may include germs, viruses and bacteria, harmful vapours, fumes, or dust. The most prominent form of respiratory PPE is the face mask.

2. Eye Protection PPE

Eye protection PPE is designed to lessen the likelihood of eye or facial injuries or degeneration in eyesight. Examples of eye PPE are safety glasses and protective face shields. Understandably protecting the eyes is extremely important for many businesses; this protection may include protecting the eyes and face from harmful radiation, overly harsh lighting, fluid or chemical spray or splashes, flying debris and/or extreme temperatures https://rocket-australia.com/national-casino.

3. Hearing Protection PPE

Hearing protection PPE is directly related to reducing repeated noise exposure which can lead to hearing loss and sometimes ongoing psychological stress. Examples of hearing PPE are earmuffs and earplugs, as well as noise insulating and absorption products.

4. Hand Protection PPE

Hand protection is a general term that covers protecting the hands and arms from potential injury. This could include cuts, splinters, and fractures of the bones or preventing the absorption of harmful substances through the skin. Gloves are the most common form of hand protection, the material the gloves are made from is the key to offering the right kind of protection. For example, thermal protection, extra grip, waterproof etc.

5. Foot Protection PPE

Foot protection generally describes footwear such as; steel toe boots to prevent the foot from being crushed; heat resistant legwear for high temperatures; footwear with additional cushioning to reduce the impact of standing on hard floors all day; or footwear with extra grip on the sole to reduce slippage. Protective footwear also relies heavily on the materials used in the manufacturing process as well as the fundamental design of the shoe/boot.

6. Head Protection PPE

When considering head protection, this usually means a hardhat. The industrial sector, construction industry and manufacturing sector are everyday users of hard hats to protect against the hazard of falling objects and bumping your head on harsh surfaces. Another common form of workplace headwear are hairnets of hats which are designed to protect the wearer from getting their hair caught or entangled in devices or machines.

7. Skin Protection PPE

Skin protection on the job will depend significantly on whether or not your work requires you to be indoors or outdoors for the majority of the day. However, in some instances, the indoor environment is just as tricky. Skin protection PPE ranges from protection from extreme hot or cold temperatures (e.g. insulated or heat resistant clothing), high visibility clothing to increase visibility (commonly seen in construction, the railways, road and traffic workers), or skin coverage to protect from the unintentional absorption of chemicals as often worn in laboratories, or hospitals etc.

Ensuring Proper Use Of PPE In The Workplace

All personal protective equipment needs to be fit for purpose. It should be designed and constructed from appropriate materials and, most importantly; fit comfortably. If PPE is uncomfortable or does not fit right, it can create further hazards on the job or discourage people from wanting to wear it. PPE needs to be readily available to all those who need it, and training should be given on its proper use. The use of PPE in your workplace should be addressed in your health and safety policy which should outline:

• When to wear PPE
• What kind of PPE is necessary
• How to properly fit, adjust, and wear the PPE properly
• How to remove, care for, and dispose of the PPE
• Understand the limitations of the PPE
• The useful life of the PPE

When Is It Necessary To Wear PPE?

Conducting a hazard risk assessment is usually the first step to identifying the need for PPE. After assessing the hazards and determining whether or not they can be removed or minimised, defining the need for the proper protective equipment will be the next step. Identifying the right PPE products, sourcing them and providing them to employees is an important part of any business health and safety policy. However, there are some PPE requirements as guided by Health and Safety laws, regulations and guidelines.

PPE compliance Rules and Regulations in Australia:

Face Masks

• ISO 22609:2004 – an international standard for medical face masks.
• AS/NZS 4381:2015 – relating to disposable face masks use in healthcare.
• AS ISO 16900.3:2015 – relating to respiratory PPE using particle filter penetration tests.
• AS NZS 1716:2012 – guidelines for respiratory protective devices and filtration standards.
• AS NZS 1715:2009 – choosing, using, and maintaining respiratory protective equipment.

Protective Clothing

• ANSI/AAMI PB70:2003 – provides guidelines in choosing apparel and drapes for liquid contaminants.
• ASTM 1671 – relating to the blood-born resistance of materials used in protective clothing.
• ISO 22610 – provides information for medical and surgical drapes and gowns for staff and patients.
• ISO 22612 – describes clothing for protection against infectious agents.
• AS NZS 4011 – related to single-use medical examination gloves.
• AS/NZS 1337.1:2010 – guidelines for eye and face protective equipment.
• AS/NZS 4501.1:2008 – guidelines on the selection, use, care and maintenance of occupational PPE.
• AS/NZS 4501.2:2006 – general requirements for protective clothing for specific occupations.
• AS/NZS ISO 2801:2008 – general recommendations for clothing for protection against heat/flames.
• AS/NZS ISO 13994:2006 – clothing for protection against chemicals.
• AS/NZS ISO 22608:2007 – relating to fabric protection against liquid chemicals.
• AS/NZS 4399:1996 – relating to the evaluation and classification of sun-protective clothing.
• AS/NZS 4543.3:2000 – protective standard relating to x-rays.

Hand Sanitiser

• EN13727 is the standard followed for adequate hand sanitiser rules. Products with this labelling have passed appropriate testing by the Australian Government.

Hi Vis Workwear

• AS/NZS 1906.4.2010 – colours used for hi-visibility clothing.
• AS/NZS 4602.1.2011 – hi-vis garment design requirements.
• AS 4399:2020 – the ability of the garment to provide protection from UV radiation.
• AS/NZS 4602.2:2013 – relating to high visibility safety garments for fire service personnel.

Please note this is by no means an exhaustive list there are more standards, regulations and guidelines relating to PPE and protective workwear and other industry-specific requirements.

How To Select The Right PPE

Once the need for PPE has been established, the next important task is to select the right PPE for the job. Take a look at our guidelines below to help ensure you source the best PPE for the job.

• Comfort Is King. The physical comfort of PPE items is a top priority – if PPE is unnecessarily uncomfortable or poorly fitted, it is unlikely that it will be worn in the correct manner.
• Focus On The Hazards. Always choose the right PPE to match the hazards. Don’t try to select a general item that may cover two or three purposes, stick with well-defined items specific to each identified hazard.
• Get Expert Advice. If unsure, discuss your needs with an occupational health and safety expert. Always ensure any potential PPE is approved under the Australian standards for protective wear.
• Shop Around. Get in contact with trusted local workwear suppliers who have trained sales representatives that can point you in the right direction.
• Compare Quality Not Price. Consider a number of alternatives check product claims, reviews and test data. Better quality products will last longer and likely provide a better fit. Disposable products are not always cheaper in the long run.
• Involve The Wearers. Ask the workers who are going to be wearing the PPE what types/brands they prefer.
• Be Flexible. Attempt to incorporate flexibility into your PPE choices if necessary to accommodate all genders, sizes and ages (as long as it meets required legislation and standards).

Keeping everyone safe in the workplace is always one of the main goals of any business, and while PPE is not considered the ultimate safety solution, it is part of the journey to a complete health and safety strategy for all workplaces.

Raster vs Vector

There are two main type of image files: Raster and Vector. Raster images are created with pixel-based programs or captured with a camera or scanner. They are more common in general such as jpg, gif, png, and are widely used on the web. Vector graphics are created with vector software and are common for images that will be applied onto a physical product. Also used in CAD, engineering, and 3D graphics which we do not provide information nor services for.

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Obtaining a sample pack for fitting to your staff is the most accurate way to ensure you have ordered correctly.
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We will only ship to a place of business where someone is in attendance between the business hours of 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and able to sign for deliveries.
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A re-delivery fee may apply and is payable by the receiver.
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This fee does depend on the courier service we use for your delivery in your area. Some will not charge a re-deliver fee whilst others will
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If you don’t have to wear hi vis, then why not wear cotton t-shirts?

Step 1: Browse the website & tell us what t-shirts you like.
Step 2: Give us a design brief and your logo.
Step 3: We’ll send a quote for approval.
Step 4: Once you have approved the quote we’ll submit the design and visual concept.
Step 5: Come and get ’em! Wear em! Hand em out and promote your business.