The story behind white shirts

The story of the white shirt

The white shirt is perfect for a lot of things. I think most of us agree on that. But has it always done that?

Jens Rebensdorff writes in his article "The white shirt - alone at the top" in Berlingske on 29 December 2007:

"When prejudices and curiosities are stripped away, the white shirt stands alone at the top as humanity's ultimate classic garment. An archetypal icon for men and women. Everyone looks good in a white shirt."

But it was actually only at the beginning of the 20th century that the completely modern white shirt as we know it today was born. Back then, the white shirt was a symbol of prosperity. To this day, I think it is much more apt to describe the white shirt as a symbol of stylishness and powerfulness.

Before the 20th century, it was also normal to wear a shirt (at least among men), but not quite as we know it today. The women's shirt does not go back as far as the men's shirt. It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that women started wearing shirts. However, it was only later that the shirt became an ordinary piece of clothing rather than a political statement.

Over time, the shirt has therefore become a piece of clothing that everyone - both men and women - has hanging in their wardrobes, which must be taken into account in view of the multitude of possible uses shirts have.

Jens Rebensdorff continues in his article and writes:

"And to the poor people who, for some inexplicable reason, don't own a white shirt or think it's too nice, impractical or party-like, there's only one thing to say: buy one. Everything else is nonsense."

I'm inclined to agree with him on that...