The history and evolution of the shirt
The history of the shirt is much older than it appears. Originally designed as an undergarment for men during the Middle Ages, the shirt had a practical role: protecting the skin from contact with heavier garments and keeping them clean for as long as possible.
It was not meant to be seen. It was not chosen for style. It was white, simple, often made from raw linen.
Only during the Renaissance did it begin to gain visibility. Decorative collars, voluminous sleeves and more elaborate cuts started to appear.
This was the beginning of an evolution that would take the shirt from the private sphere to the foreground of both men’s and women’s wardrobes, as an undisputed symbol of elegance.
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the starched white shirt became a status symbol for the bourgeois class. The stiffer and whiter the shirt collar, the higher the wearer’s social standing.
Since then, the shirt has crossed every era, adapting to cultural and stylistic shifts without ever losing its central role.
Curious about how a shirt is made today? Discover our sartorial production process.
A symbol of authority, identity, and transformation
Over time, the shirt has taken on many different meanings. It has been worn by monarchs and revolutionaries, by artists, clerks, intellectuals and workers.
Work shirts were designed for practicality, durability and freedom of movement. Even then, form and function were never truly separated.
In some contexts, the shirt has become a statement. Just think of the term white collar, which still today defines those in office or managerial roles, proof that a garment can define an entire professional class.
In the twentieth century, the shirt moved beyond formalwear into everyday life. Icons like Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen turned it into a symbol of individuality.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the statement shirt became equally relevant for women, becoming part of a bold, minimalist, and sophisticated aesthetic.
The white shirt today: essential, versatile, sartorial
Today, in a fashion world shaped by fast trends and consumption, the white shirt remains a symbol of enduring style.
Those who choose it know it works everywhere, from a meeting to a casual look, from under a blazer to eveningwear. It is effortlessly elegant, neutral yet never ordinary.
A true tailored shirt in white requires precise construction, high-end fabrics and close attention to the body. It must move naturally, fit perfectly across the shoulders, and express personality without needing excess.
In our workshop, we create white shirts for brands that believe in the value of craftsmanship, precision cutting, and the essence of Italian workmanship.
Our experience in Made in Italy shirt production allows us to blend tradition with technique, always listening to the client’s vision.
A garment that doesn’t need to change
The strength of the shirt lies in its continuity.
It does not need to reinvent itself to stay relevant. It has gone through aesthetic transformations, but never lost its true purpose—being the first visible layer of who we are.
That is why it continues to be loved by designers, brands and clients all over the world. Because it is much more than a garment.
It is a declaration of style—each time different, always personal.
A deliberate choice that expresses care, cultural awareness, and a way of interpreting elegance that is essential, authentic, and timeless.
Just like the Made in Italy we bring to life every single day.
Want to learn more about the relationship between elegance and craftsmanship? Explore our article on why luxury brands choose Made in Italy.
