Uncovering the story of how the white tank top earned its famed nickname
Tank tops are an essential summer piece of clothing. They are simple to style and effective even in the scorching summer heat. It's not much more comfortable and relaxed than a basic, monochrome cotton tank. Yet, ironically, this timeless classic has a darker and more complex history extending beyond its current incorporation into fashion-conscious supermodels or the paparazzi photographs of buff male stars (for example, this picture of Mark Wahlberg). For years, this thin piece of cloth has been the subject of an unavoidable offending nickname for a man who is known as "wife-beater".
Suggested Read:Why Is A Tank Top Called A Wife Beater?
The first time the term was used in 1947. There are many theories on how it came to be. One is that it was created due to an incredibly horrific crime that became all over the internet. The murder was executed by a man whose name was James Hartford Jr., who killed his wife. A photo of Hartford dressed in a white, sleeveless undershirt was circulating across the country and was captioned "The Wife-Beater."
A different theory suggests it is believed that Marlon Brando's portrayal as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire was the inspiration for the concept. The character is violent, angry and hits his wife while wearing a shirt with no sleeves.
Whatever the real meaning of the word, white tank tops with ribbed sleeves assumed the appearance of an outfit worn by a booze-loving and Newport-smoking pot-bellied violent man. The term is now an old-fashioned term. But, it's still used in our language and even at retail shops, which a majority of them identify tank tops with the name even to this day. For instance, if you search for "wife beaters" on Amazon, there are various tank tops for men to select from.
The term "wife-beater" did not obtain immediate popularity after its creation. However, in the early 1900s, it was also referred with various offensive terms like "dago tee" and "guinea tee," which were often viewed as derogatory and connected to Italian immigrants.
Fast forward half a century and the expression "wife-beater" became commonplace in the 1990s and the 2000s. Tank tops with this kind of design gained popularity in this period due to their cost-effectiveness and incredibly comfortable shape. In addition, male icons like Eminem and rappers 50 Cent and Eminem frequently wore the top, further boosting the style's popularity and creating a cool and intimidating image.
The concept and its implications are offensive and inappropriate. Moreover, they are not appropriate due to a myriad of reasons. One reason is that sleeveless tank tops with ribbed trims like this one have assumed a new appearance in recent months. Tank tops without sleeves are casual dresser's bread and butter. They are comfortable, practical and cost-effective. You can dress them up or down at any event that allows the shoulders to be exposed. However, in the time which has gone by since the phrase "wife-beater" was invented, the tank top has transformed into an apparel item that men increasingly wear.
In 2021, sleeveless tank tops are commonly worn by women of a younger age. Check out any famous clothing label, Zara, Brandy Melville, H&M, and you'll see tank tops of this kind, designed specifically for women.
Over time, the essential t-shirt likely has, in a fascinating change of circumstances, become a more widespread fashion staple for women instead of the male. It's as if a feminist is changing the name of the t-shirt. Women are co-opting the style to make it their own and make it more gender-neutral and not just masculine.
As we consider the past and contemplate the future, our generation has to consider our words and their power, even when speaking of something non-animate. For instance, the phrase "wife-beater" is a colloquial expression that's been remarked on by many. Yet, it's a part of our everyday vocabulary that is frequently utilized, though probably less often than it was in the past. However, it's time to hang it to dry.