Did you know the t-shirt is the most popular garment on the planet, with nearly 2 billion sold each year? In 2023 alone, revenue from t-shirts is expected to reach $44.56 billion, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.22% (CAGR 2023-2027). From graphic tees to band tees, form-fitting crops to baggy tees, shirts come in all shapes and sizes. With something for everyone, it’s no wonder the t-shirt has become such a ubiquitous wardrobe staple.
A brief history of t-shirts
Around 1900, a new type of shirt was invented which had short sleeves and no buttons. This shirt became known as the t-shirt, a term coined by F. Scott Fitzgerald in his 1920 novel This Side of Paradise. During the World Wars, The U.S. Navy started issuing t-shirts as undershirts. These shirts were lightweight, made of cotton, inexpensive, and easy to wash. In other words, the perfect workwear staple. After the war, veterans brought their shirts back home, and by the 1950s, t-shirts had become the essence of cool, worn on screen by movie stars like Paul Newman and Marlon Brando.
A blank canvas for self-expression
For fashion lovers, a t-shirt is not just a piece of clothing but a canvas for storytelling. It’s the backbone of fashion with the power to tell the world who and what you stand for, whether it’s your political beliefs, musical tastes, or a passion for bunnies. Entire fashion brands have launched from a t-shirt, including Stussy, Supreme, Golf, Kith, and Bobby Hundreds to name a few.
As we look to the future, it’s exciting to see how technology will continue to shape the t-shirt’s evolution, from virtual try-on to digital design. Despite all the unknowns, one thing is certain: the t-shirt will always be an outlet for self-expression and personal style.
Tees come in all shapes and sizes, whether a crop, slim-fit, oversized, embroidered, screen-printed, distressed or up-cycled. However regardless of the form-factor, a statement tee is the clearest way to get your story across and create a like-minded community, whether that’s showcasing a pithy slogan, a branded logo, your favorite band, a political message, or influencer merch.
Virtual try-on will boost sales
The t-shirt has a rich history, but it’s not stuck in the past. Thanks to virtual try-on technology like augmented reality, the t-shirt is getting a major update. Virtual try-on enables customers to make informed purchases by trying on digital replicas of real-life garments from the comfort of their own homes.
Just like its predecessor, the digital tee can display graphics. Taken to the next level, these graphics become animations, 3d objects, and even interactive touch-points.
And thanks to virtual try-on, you can get your message across faster than ever, allowing customers to try on the t-shirt prior to purchase. When it comes to virtual try-on, a recent study from Deloitte found that 40% of shoppers would pay more for a product if they were able to preview it in Augmented Reality. Retailers that use augmented reality tend to see a 19% increase in customer engagement. Additionally they can expect up to a 40% increase in conversion.
Do you have a message you’re ready to spread? Geenee AR can help. We’re the only WebAR platform with full-body tracking available in the browser, enabling gesture-powered UI and virtual try-on for e-commerce.
Get in touch today to learn more about how WebAR virtual try-on can kickstart your business goals for 2023.