The T-Shirt has come a long way in the last 20 years, says Glenn Hyams. It first became fashionable during the 1950's, immortalised by James Dean, and soon became a ‘must have' garment for advertising and promotional companies, as it is the ideal canvas on which to print a message.

The T-shirt has been a staple ingredient of the wardrobe for many years and is as timeless as a pair of jeans, says Blue Max, which offers the Champion T-shirt as a good value for money mid-range product.

The humble t-shirt started off life as underwear and soared to iconic fashion status in the 50s when Hollywood made t-shirt wearing cool and rebellious, says Finden+Hales.

Childrenswear is becoming increasingly fashion aware and from a much younger age, says Larkwood. "The clothes that they want to wear have to reflect their own individual sense of style," it claims. "The Larkwood Collection of Baby and toddler wear offers these little fashion victims the styling choice they want."

The influences of fashion trends are playing an ever-increasing role in the design and development of styles for the corporate wear market, says Henbury.

Fruit of the Loom's reputation as a market leader in imprintable apparel is rooted in its renowned T-shirt offering. The company's 2008 activewear collection comprises of no fewer than 22 T-shirt styles, in a total of 45 colourways, across the Men's, Women's and Children's ranges.

Gustav Daiber GmbH offers a wide range of new products and classic T-Shirts in bright and trendy colours in the latest James & Nicholson Workbook 2008.

In 2008, Mantis introduces three ‘fashion classics' - trendy styles that it says are sure to become firm favourites. The M103 Women's Jersey Box Tee offers a relaxed shape and longer length, which is complemented by a lightweight combed cotton Jersey fabric. This is available in five sizes (XS-XL) and six colours.

Even though the use of organic cotton t-shirts is still relatively new in the promotional clothing industry, the demand for ethically produced t-shirts has increased due to the influence of high street fashion and designers and celebrities that have brought environmentally friendly fashion from the corner to the spotlight, says Okarma.

PenCarrie agrees that there have been many developments in the t-shirt sector over the years. David Abrahams, marketing manager, comments: "The main change is that now there is so much choice in t-shirts. Today's customers can choose men's and ladies' styles, classic in design or highly fashionable, all differently cut and in a variety of fabric mixes and weights. In addition, there is now exceptional choice in colours for t-shirts - Gildan's GD02 is available in 60 different shades." 

One of the biggest changes to the t-shirt market over the years has been a huge increase in lady fit styles with feminine shapes, colours and sizes being introduced by many brands. The range of colours now available is also immense, with the Gildan GD02, ultra cotton adult t-shirt in an incredible 60 colours .

Distributor Quayside says that the T-shirt market has changed in several ways over the years. "Traditionally weight was a key factor. The heavier the T-shirt the more expensive it should be. The situation has changed considerably with lighter weight T-shirts become more popular," it says. "Touch is also a much more important factor. We have seen a big increase in the sales of T-shirts with a soft feel despite being lighter in weight."

T-shirts have turned almost full circle since they were first "invented" in the mid 20th century, says Skinnifit. "What we now know as the T-shirt started off life as underwear - designed purely to provide an extra layer between the skin and the rather itchy woolly jumpers sported by the armed forces at the time," it says.

The t-shirt has always been a wardrobe staple, and its popularity is primarily due to its versatility, says Tombo. Retaining the same basic shape, the humble t-shirt has gone from offering only a few colour selections and sizes, to including the most cutting edge technology in terms of materials.

The growth in size of the Ladieswear section of the UKL brochure gives a very good idea as to how the T-shirt market has changed over the years. Whilst there is still a clearly defined position for unisex garments the biggest trend has been in fit for purpose product, says UKL. The market now has Lady Fit styles, technical and performance styles and fashion styles.

It began life as a small company set up simply to supply a decorating firm, but in just six years JHK has become one of Europe's main players in the T-shirt market.