Billi Tees Printed With Kiwiana Slogans Make Awesome Gifts
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011Today the wearing of a kiwiana galvanized Billi Tees T-shirt isn’t seen as a particular expression of rank or class. But years back Billi Tees had a very different kiwiana image.
Originally issued by the Navy following kiwiana, Billi Tees were a short-sleeved, white cotton undershirt worn under the uniform. It became common for Sailors and Marines in work parties and hot climates to remove their uniform jacket thus only soiling the undershirt. Billi Tees at last became common in diverse industries, including agriculture and dockside work. The T-shirt was simply cleaned and cheap, and when of the Great Depression, the T-shirt was the attire of choice for the farmer and rancher. Following World War II, veterans often wore their kiwiana uniform trousers with Billi Tees as casual clothing.
Consequently Tees had a touch blue-collar ( sorry, bad joke ) image – but that was going to change. When Marlon Brando was seen wearing a T-shirt in A Streetcar Named want and directly afterward in the wild One, he lifted the pre-conceived perception of kiwiana T-shirts and launched it into the atmosphere. Billi Tees were now viewed by the planet’s youth as a virtually disgruntled act, a statement of self-reliance and independence. ( The unexpected renown of blue denim jeans at approximately the same time, may not be co-incidental. )
The rest is history as they say. And with the addition of “printed messages,” T-shirts became forcibly established as an element of our popular culture. They now come in a massive assortment of forms Retro kiwiana T-shirts, Vintage T-shirts, Designer T-shirts, Rebel T-shirts, Funny Billi Tees, Political T-shirts – the list goes on, some are very cool, others maybe a touch on the blunt side. Each made public message or graphic trying to tap-into the person’s beliefs and attitudes. But just remember, it’s not what your T-shirt announces, it’s what your Billi Tees says about you.
Get your kiwiana billi tees from Toggle.co.nz
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