A BLANK CANVAS

The tank top’s popular rebirth

With the waning sweltering days of summer ahead of us, it’s understandable that many of us are at our wit’s end trying to come up with new and stylish ways to look and stay cool. As a result, The New York Timesrecently declared that the tank top or “wife beater” is enjoying a renaissance this summer. Is that due to the garment’s ease and versatility or what it allows for self-expression? This prompted us to examine the resilient history of the tank top.

The tank top originally appeared at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic games and was worn by the women swimmers. The lack of sleeves allowed the body to move unencumbered and faster in the water. The name “tank top” derives from the one-piece bathing suits of the era worn in tanks or swimming pools. Eventually men embraced the freedom the tank top offered and in addition to swimsuits, started wearing it to perform manual labor.

As the 1950’s approached, the tank top caught the attention of Hollywood and male film stars began donning it on the big screen. Most notably, Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire. And while the problematic “wife beater” moniker wouldn’t be applied to the garment for more than 40 years later, you can make a case that its roots may have started with Brando’s character, Stanley Kowalski. He not only hit his wife but raped his sister-in-law in the movie. The garment not-so-subliminally became associated with hotheaded men who lost their tempers and lashed out. See also Paul Newman in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Warren Beatty in Bonnie and Clyde.

Jesse Shieldower, the principal editor with the Oxford Dictionary’s American division was quoted as saying, “…wife beater started signifying the undershirt around 1997 with the rise of “rap, gay, and gang subcultures.” A year later the term entered the American lexicon by being referred to in a newspaper article and floodgates opened right after.

But enough about the offensive name’s history. Why are younger generations embracing the tank top? The obvious reasons harken back to its initial invention – freedom of movement, ease and a great combatant to hot temperatures. Thanks to the undergarment’s relatively inexpensive price tag and simplicity, it’s been embraced by all walks of life and subcultures.

It’s almost mindless to wear and fairly inexpensive with prices starting as low as $3 apiece. Designer versions can cost as much as $800! The seminal white undershirt is not only versatile enough to wear on its own, but it also provides a subtle level setting contrast to more flamboyant articles of clothing such as cardigans, jackets and sport coats. However you decide to incorporate it into an outfit, be comfortable, confident and make it your own.