Tank Tops with a History

The below great looking tank top will get a lot of wear from me. The flattering scoop neck tank is made with a block-print type pattern. The back of the shirt hangs slightly longer than the front. The material is an easy-to-care for polyester mix.

This tank top is printed in a black, light blue, gold and turquoise diamond pattern. It goes well with jeans or black dress pants and can be dressed up or dressed down. The pattern looks like a traditional block-print design.

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Original block prints were made by pressing engraved wooden blocks into fabric. Block printing is a slow process but the results are stunningly artistic.

This tank top was sold with an optional long coverup shirt in a matching print. Unfortunately, that shirt is no longer available. However, I find that the colors in this tank top make it very versatile to wear with many different colored long sleeved shirts. It would also look very dressy if worn with a long sleeved black shirt and gold jewelry.

Brief History of Tank Tops

In thinking about this tank top, I decided to check out the history of the garment.

I came across information about the wearing of tank tops at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Apparently, the British Women’s Swim Team caused a few raised eye brows when they decided to expose their arms by wearing tank top shirts. By doing away with fussy-Victoria swimsuits, the tank top allowed for better movement of the swimmer’s arms in water.

Men were already wearing the tank shirt at pools and at the beach.

Tank tops originally came from the union suits which were one piece underwear with a back bottom flap.

White tank tops were designed as underwear to help wick sweat from under the arms so better garments wouldn’t be stained with sweat.

Now we have tank tops made out of super microfiber and synthetics specifically designed to wick moisture away from the body. These tank tops are used for exercising and athletics. They come in a variety of colors and are often printed with their company’s logo.

From the gym to the board room, the common tank top once considered underwear can now go any where in style.